Ireland in Flannery blow September 14, 2011 IRELAND’S World Cup hopes suffered a blow yesterday when hooker Jerry Flannery was ruled out of the rest of the tournament. Flannery, who came off the bench in the opening-match victory over the United States, is facing a six-week lay-off after tearing a calf muscle in training. Ireland coach Declan Kidney has drafted Damien Varley [...]
THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS September 14, 2011 CANADA TAME TONGA Canada produced the first shock of the World Cup as they enjoyed a 25-20 win over Tonga in Whangarei. Canada led the Pool A clash 10-7 at half-time through Jebb Sinclair’s converted try with Siale Piutau replying before the break, but Canada stunned the favourites with two tries in the last 12 [...]
Luiz champions improving Torres September 14, 2011 CHELSEA defender David Luiz has backed Fernando Torres to put his difficulties behind him after the goal-shy striker played a key role in Tuesday’s win over Bayer Leverkusen. Torres, who has scored just once in 22 Blues games, set up both goals in a 2-0 win as the west Londoners got their Champions League group [...]
Arteta up for the cups September 14, 2011 ARSENAL midfielder Mikel Arteta believes his new club have the quality to end their trophy drought. The Spaniard, a deadline day signing from Everton, helped the Gunners begin their Champions League campaign with a highly creditable draw at the home of German champions Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, and believes he has seen enough from his [...]
Swann proud of chance to lead England September 14, 2011 ENGLAND spinner Graeme Swann revealed his most difficult task since being handed the captaincy of the Twenty20 side was keeping the appointment a secret for two days. With regular skipper Stuart Broad set to miss the double header against the West Indies next week with a shoulder injury, England have turned to the Nottinghamshire twirler. [...]
Surrey back in Division One September 14, 2011 CRICKET: Surrey have gained promotion back to Division One of the County Championship after completing victory over Derbyshire by an innings and 126 runs. Spinner Pragyan Ojha then took 6-42, to finish with match figures of 10-90, as the visitors crumbled to 152 all out. Surrey’s 24 points means that they finish one point above [...]
Redknapp quashes England link September 14, 2011 FOOTBALL: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has denied he has held talks with a view to becoming the next England boss. Speculation over the weekend suggested the FA was ready to dismiss Fabio Capello following the abject display against Wales, which ironically took England to within a point of qualifying for Euro 2012. But Redknapp said: [...]
Hushovd wins in Wales September 14, 2011 CYCLING: Norwegian world road champion Thor Hushovd won stage four of the Tour of Britain from Welshpool to Caerphilly. The Garmin and Cervelo rider edged out stage three winner Lars Boom. Russell Hampton retained the King of the Mountains Jersey, while Boom has the Points Jersey. Stage five runs from Exeter to Exmouth today before [...]
Wonder goal robs Arsenal of vital win September 13, 2011 BORUSSIA DORTMUND (1) vs ARSENAL (1) ARSENAL assistant manager Pat Rice declared the Gunners satisfied with a point despite being denied the perfect start to their Champions League group campaign by a spectacular 89th-minute equaliser. Robin van Persie’s late first-half goal looked set to give the north Londoners a win they barely deserved, having been [...]
World Cup KO for injury jinxed prop Sheridan September 13, 2011 ENGLAND’S World Cup plans have been rocked by the news that experienced prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a shoulder injury. The 31-year-old had only just recovered from reconstructive surgery on his shoulder but aggravated the problem during Saturday’s bruising encounter against Argentina in Dunedin. England are [...]