Trapattoni at full-strength for France clash November 16, 2009 THE REPUBLIC of Ireland have reported a clean bill of health ahead of their crunch World Cup play-off second leg with France tomorrow night. Boss Giovanni Trapattoni conducted training with a full-strength squad for the clash at Stade de France, Paris. Assistant boss Marco Tardelli said: “We have no injuries and we have a very [...]
Johnson fires warning over All Black Test November 15, 2009 ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson insists his side must make rapid improvements if they are to beat the All Blacks in their autumn series finale on Saturday. Despite scraping past Argentina on Saturday 16-9, much of the Twickenham crowd vented their frustration at another inept performance when the final whistle went. Following on from another underwhelming [...]
Exiles lead way as London sides thrive November 15, 2009 LONDON IRISH capped a magnificent day for teams from the capital with a 12-11 win away to defending LV= Cup champions Cardiff Blues.Replacement Ryan Lamb kicked a penalty five minutes from time to condemn Cardiff to their first defeat in the competition for eight games and more importantly earn the Exiles’ their first victory in [...]
Two month ban for Maradona outburst November 15, 2009 ARGENTINA coach Diego Maradona has been banned from any participation in the sport for two months and fined almost £15,000 for his foul-mouthed outburst at reporters. Maradona, who had been criticised in the press for his side’s lacklustre performances, erupted after Argentina sealed their place at next year’s World Cup with a 1-0 win in [...]
BOD ALMIGHTY November 15, 2009 IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll scored a last-minute try on his 100th Test appearance to snatch a 20-20 draw in yesterday’s clash with Australia. Tries from former Leinster back-row Rocky Elsom and Drew Mitchell had put the visitors in front at Croke Park, despite Tommy Bowe crossing in the first half for Ireland. But O’Driscoll’s late [...]
Djokovic beats fightback to land fifth title November 15, 2009 WORLD No3 Novak Djokovic needed all his resilience to see off a stunning fightback from Frenchman Gael Monfils and win the Paris Masters 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3). The Serb broke twice to race through the first set and was up 3-0 in the second before Monfils rallied, to the delight of his home crowd. The [...]
Fans flock to Enke memorial November 15, 2009 FOOTBALL: An estimated 45,000 mourners yesterday paid their last respects to Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, who committed suicide last week. Fans, family and team-mates gathered at the ground of Hanover 96, where the 32-year-old played his club football, to watch his coffin placed on the pitch. “You were a No1 in the real sense of [...]
Tiger on top Down Under November 15, 2009 GOLF: World No1 Tiger Woods hit a steady final round of 68 to claim the Australian Masters in Melbourne. The American finished on 14 under par, two shots ahead of home hope Greg Chalmers, to scoop the £151,000 cheque and his maiden success on the continent. “Now I’ve won on every continent, except for Antarctica,” [...]
Well Chief stuns Master Minded November 15, 2009 HORSE RACING: Odds-on favourite Master Minded suffered a shock defeat to injury-prone Well Chief in the Connaught Chase at Cheltenham.David Pipe-trained Well Chief, racing for only the second time in more than three years, and jockey Timmy Murphy held off Mahogany Blaze in second.Dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded could only manage third place.
Fletcher: Don’t blame Burley November 15, 2009 FOOTBALL: Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher has backed manager George Burley after their crushing 3-0 friendly defeat to Wales. Burley, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, is expected to be sacked this week when the Scottish Football Association board meets, but Fletcher insists it is not the manager’s fault. “It’s not anything to do [...]