The Irish Times - Sports

Whelan misses training with sore throat

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:32:41 GMT

Soccer:Republic of Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan sat out training this morning, but only with a sore throat. The Stoke man was the latest player to miss a session this week, although his condition is not a concern for manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

Whelan to set deadline for Martinez

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:44:09 GMT

Soccer:Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is preparing to set a deadline for manager Roberto Martinez to decide his future after admitting the club is currently in limbo.

Irish quartet qualify for swim final

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:11:58 GMT

Swimming:Ireland’s 4x200 metres women’s freestyle relay team qualified for the final at the European swimming championship in Debrecen, Hungary but will need to improve their time substantially if they are to manage their goal of earning a place in the London Olympics later this summer.

Deans faces some tough decisions

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:39:38 GMT

Rugby:Australia coach Robbie Deans admits his side’s strength in depth has made picking a team for the visit of Wales and Scotland one of the hardest tasks of his tenure.

Gerrard eyes Brazil World Cup

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:39:38 GMT

Soccer:Steven Gerrard has no intention of retiring as an England player after this summer’s European Championship. The 31-year-old will captain England in Poland and Ukraine with some suggesting it could be his last major tournament for his country.

Puspure scrambles onto Irish team

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:35:39 GMT

Rowing:Another day has yielded yet another Irish qualifier for the London Games, with rower Sanita Puspure the latest to force her way into the picture. The Latvian-born sculler needed to finish in the top four at the Olympic Qualification regatta and did just enough in Lucerne to make it through.

McShane steps into the breach

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:04:24 GMT

Soccer:Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given is to fly to London tomorrow to consult a knee specialist amid mounting injury concerns for manager Giovanni Trapattoni. The news emerged on the day the Italian was forced to draft Paul McShane into his squad as cover ahead of Saturday’s warm-up against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

McMahon fifth in European final

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:48:17 GMT

Swimming:Sycerika McMahon came home fifth in the final of the 100 metres breaststroke at the European Championships in Hungary this evening, the 17-year-old marginally outside her best in a time of 1:08.72.

Oxx to try hood with Born To Sea

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:32:10 GMT

Racing:Pat Smullen will ride Born To Sea in Saturday’s Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, with the colt sporting a first-time hood. A half-brother to the brilliant Sea The Stars, Born To Sea ruined his chance in the Newmarket Guineas by pulling much too hard in the early stages and trainer John Oxx hopes the hood will help to keep him calm.

Harte rewarded with one more year

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:50 GMT

Soccer:Reading left-back Ian Harte has signed a new one-year contract which will keep him with the newly-promoted Royals until the summer of 2013. The former Republic of Ireland defender's contract was set to expire this summer but discussions about a new deal have been under way since the end of the season.

Heskey and Cuellar leave Villa Park

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:50 GMT

Soccer:Former England striker Emile Heskey has been released by Aston Villa after three and a half years with the club. Heskey had already indicated he would be leaving after the final home game of the campaign against Tottenham and he has not been offered a new contract.

Spain's top marksman out of Euros

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:50 GMT

Soccer: Barcelona striker David Villa ruled himself out of Spain's squad for Euro 2012 after failing to fully recover from a broken leg. Spain's all-time leading scorer, broke his left leg while competing in the Club World Cup with Barca in December, and has not played a competitive match since then.

Murphy steps away from Ireland

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:49 GMT

Rugby:Having missed out on selection for Ireland’s summer tour of New Zealand, Geordan Murphy has decided the time is right to confirm his international retirement. The Leicester captain won the last of his 74 caps during the World Cup last autumn and failed to feature during Ireland’s Six Nations campaign.

Majors the driving force for Donald

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:44:24 GMT

Trap has plenty to consider

Tue, 22 May 2012 21:14:08 GMT

Soccer:Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane took a full part in training in Malahide today but there remains concern over a number of players in the camp. A lengthy list of ifs, buts and maybes was sent out this evening by the FAI, and though there appears to be nothing too serious, it seems there is plenty to ponder ahead of the Euro 2012 warm-up against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday.

Mourinho agrees new Madrid deal

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:37:24 GMT

Soccer:Jose Mourinho has signed a new contract with Real Madrid which ties him to the club until 2016, the Primera Division champions have announced. The 49-year-old Portuguese penned an initial four-year deal when he took over at Madrid in May 2010.

Dyson to miss Wentworth

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:37:24 GMT

Golf:Ryder Cup hopeful Simon Dyson is out of this week’s BMW PGA Championship — the European Tour’s flagship event — as he tries to shake off a stressed hip injury. The reigning Irish and Dutch Open champion withdrew from the Players Championship in Florida two weeks ago after the first round.

Sweeney banned for doping violation

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:37:23 GMT

Boxing:European Youth silver medallist Gary Sweeney has been handed a nine-month ban for a doping violation. The 18-year-old light-heavyweight from Ballinrobe tested positive for a prohibited substance during in-competition testing last October.

Drogba set for new challenge

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:37:23 GMT

Soccer:Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea when his contract runs out at the end of June, the club have confirmed on their website. The 34-year-old Ivory Coast international has spent eight years at Chelsea, scoring 157 goals in 341 appearances, and helped the Blues win 10 titles.

Injury forces Leamy to call it quits

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:37:23 GMT

Rugby:Irish international Denis Leamy has confirmed his retirement due to a hip injury. The 30-year-old Ireland international was plagued by a hip complaint, which limited him to just three Pro12 games and Munster’s four opening games in the Heineken Cup following his return from the World Cup.

McMahon and Nocher book places in London

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:37:23 GMT

Olympics:Irish swimmers took another two seats on an increasingly crowded plane to London today as Melanie Nocher and Sycerika McMahon both posted A standards at the European Championships in Hungary. They will join Grainne Muprhy and Barry Murphy in the Aquatic Centre at this summer’s Games.

Kidney won't be experimenting on tour

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:57:52 GMT

Rugby:Ireland coach Declan Kidney has warned his side they have to “go for it” when they head to New Zealand next month for three Tests against the All Blacks.

Striker Elliott let go by Hearts

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:57:52 GMT

Soccer:Republic of Ireland international Stephen Elliott is one of two players being let go by Scottish Cup winners Hearts as part of cost-cutting measures at the Edinburgh club.

FAI continue trawl for Euro tickets

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:26:39 GMT

Soccer:The FAI have picked up 400 more tickets for Ireland’s matches against Spain and Italy and are hopeful of getting more, the association’s chief executive John Delaney has said.

Nocher breaks Irish record in Hungary

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:11:02 GMT

Swimming:Ireland’s Melanie Nocher broke the Irish senior 200m backstroke record as she booked a place in the final of her main event at the European swimming Championships in Debrecen, Hungary this afternoon.

McCambridge misses out on Olympics

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:55:32 GMT

Athletics:Maria McCambridge’s hopes of making it to a second Olympics were ended today when she was informed by Athletics Ireland that she would miss the London Games following a selection decision over the women’s marathon.

Nadal claims Djokovic's scalp in Rome

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:08:29 GMT

Tennis:Rafael Nadal enjoyed the perfect preparation for the defence of his French Open title with victory over world number one Novak Djokovic in today’s rearranged Rome Masters final.

Kearney takes European award

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:20:57 GMT

Rugby:The awards just keep coming for Leinster after fullback Rob Kearney was today named ERC European Player of the Year.

England complete five-wicket victory

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:48:33 GMT

Cricket:Alastair Cook and Ian Bell restored order in a century stand which guided England to a five-wicket win over West Indies in the first Test at Lord’s today.

Chelsea pair called up by Spain

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:00:49 GMT

Soccer:Champions League winners Fernando Torres and Juan Mata have been added to the Spain squad ahead of the upcoming friendlies against Serbia and South Korea, the Spanish football federation has announced.

O'Shea takes a day off, Whelan arrives

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:12:04 GMT

Soccer:The Republic of Ireland squad swapped the training ground for the gym in their first session this morning, with captain Robbie Keane and defender John O’Shea the only absentees at Malahide United’s Gannon Park.

Zebo named in squad for New Zealand

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:04:26 GMT

Rugby:Munster winger Simon Zebo has been awarded for a brilliant breakthrough season for the province with a place in the Ireland squad for the summer tour to New Zealand.

De Boer will remain loyal to Ajax

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:16:36 GMT

Soccer:Ajax manager Frank de Boer has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Liverpool job as he wishes to remain loyal to the Dutch club.

McDowell giving as good as he gets

Sun, 20 May 2012 18:37:15 GMT

Golf:Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts became Volvo World Match Play champion today, beating Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell in the final at a windsept Finca Cortesin in Spain. Colsaerts, who knocked McDowell out at the quarter-final stage last year, won on the last after a game in which he was ahead on four separate occasions.

Fame earns more glory at Navan

Sun, 20 May 2012 18:37:14 GMT

Racing:Fame And Glory was the headline act on a profitable Navan card for the Aidan O’Brien stable. The top-class stayer warmed up for the defence of his Gold Cup at Royal Ascot next month in the Vintage Crop Stakes.

Trapattoni to err on the side of caution

Sun, 20 May 2012 18:37:14 GMT

Soccer:Giovanni Trapattoni will not take a risk with John O'Shea's fitness in the build up to Euro 2012 after the defender reported for training along with the majority of the Republic of Ireland squad today. The Sunderland player injured his ankle in the final game of the season against Manchester United and sat out the session this afternoon, preferring instead to work in the gym at Malahide United's Gannon Park.

Donegal hit the ground running

Sun, 20 May 2012 18:37:13 GMT

Championship round-up: The first meaningful games in the Championship saw victories for Galway, Donegal, Louth, Limerick and Longford. Galway and Limerick eased into the next rounds and Donegal were efficient in their disposal of Cavan. Louth and Longford on the other hand both relied on late scores to see off Westmeath and Laois respectively. .

GAA Live: The summer starts here

Sun, 20 May 2012 13:24:34 GMT

GAA:Finally! The Championship is back so the summer can officially begin. Someone should pass this information on to the good people at Met Eireann. Yes, its that time of year when hope is in the air for every county. Lap it up before Kerry, Cork and Dublin serve up the inevitable crude reality checks over the ensuing months.

Harrington trails Dufner by five

Sun, 20 May 2012 13:09:01 GMT

Golf:Jason Dufner kept his composure after a slow start to move one stroke clear of a congested leaderboard at the wind-buffeted third round of the Byron Nelson Championship in Texas. Overnight leader Dufner carded a 69 at the TPC Las Colinas for an eight under total.

Heroes unsure what the future holds

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:35:25 GMT

Soccer:Penalty shoot-out hero Didier Drogba and manager Roberto di Matteo were united last night in refusing to allow talk of their own futures to invade the greatest night in Chelsea history. The Stamford Bridge outfit celebrated Champions League glory at the Allianz Arena as they came from behind to beat Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties.

O?Driscoll still hungry for more

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:04:06 GMT

Reaction:Brian O’Driscoll believes Leinster are building a dynasty after they won a record-breaking third Heineken Cup title in four years when they beat Ulster 42-14 in the all-Ireland final at Twickenham. O’Driscoll admitted Leinster set themselves a target of becoming one of the greatest sides in European history after they won their first title in 2009.

Chelsea keep their date with destiny

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:04:05 GMT

Bayern Munich 1 Chelsea 1(Chelsea win 4-3 on penalties): Didier Drogba was the Chelsea hero as Roman Abramovich finally completed his Champions League odyssey in Munich tonight. Trailing to Thomas Muller’s late header, Drogba first saved the Blues by heading them level in the 88th minute as they appeared on the brink of another defeat on the biggest stage in European club football.

Leinster the masters of all they survey

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:04:05 GMT

Rugby:It’s funny how the best team in the tournament invariably wins the Heineken Cup. Think Toulouse four times, or Leicester, Wasps, and Munster twice each. It doesn’t always happen in competitions with a knock-out finale, but Leinster have been the best side in Europe again this season and by dint of retaining their crown and thus winning it for a third time in four years, have legitimate claims to being the best team the tournament has ever seen.

Taylor wins fourth consecutive world title

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:04:05 GMT

WOMEN'S BOXING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:Katie Taylor notched up her fourth straight World Championship title here this morning after beating Russian southpaw Sofya Ochigava 11-7 in a tense technical final in Qinhuangdao, northern China.

O'Brien lights the blue touch paper

Sat, 19 May 2012 20:02:10 GMT

Leinster 42 Ulster 14:Ulster needed their set piece to be impregnable but, ultimately, their scrum lost them this Heineken Cup final in front of a record 81,744 crowd. Regardless, Leinster would have found a way to a third European title in four attempts.

McDowell dodges bullet against Garcia

Sat, 19 May 2012 17:27:02 GMT

Golf:Two weeks after a wretched performance in front of Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal, Scotland’s Paul Lawrie is poised for another mighty leap towards adding a second cap to the first he won 13 years ago. Lawrie meets Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts tomorrow morning for a place in the final of the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain.

Hammers return to the top table

Sat, 19 May 2012 16:56:11 GMT

Blackpool 1 West Ham 2:Ricardo Vaz Te’s late strike fired West Ham back to the Premier League after a dramatic play-off final at Wembley today. The Portuguese winger earned the Hammers an estimated €100 million windfall with the goal which sank Blackpool.

More Cup final heartbreak for Hibs

Sat, 19 May 2012 16:25:09 GMT

Hibernian 1 Hearts 5:Hibernian’s long wait to lift the Scottish Cup continues after they were thrashed by Edinburgh rivals Hearts in a one-sided final at Hampden. The Easter Road side travelled to Glasgow looking to end a 110-year drought in the competition but ended with 10 men, their manager Pat Fenlon in the stand, and their dignity in shreds as Hearts romped to their first final win in six years.

Keane gets the all-clear after scan

Sat, 19 May 2012 16:09:38 GMT

Soccer:Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane is expected to join up with his team-mates tomorrow ahead of Euro 2012 after an injury scare. Reports this morning revealed the 31-year-old was nursing a hamstring strain, and there were fears he may not have been able to train with Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad in Malahide this week.

Frankel back with a bang

Sat, 19 May 2012 16:09:38 GMT

Racing:Frankel made a breathtaking start to his four-year-old career by pulverising the opposition in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Ridden by Tom Queally, the Henry Cecil-trained colt scorched clear in the one-mile feature to extend his unbeaten winning spree to 10 races.

Solskjaer cool on Villa move

Sat, 19 May 2012 14:04:31 GMT

Soccer:Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to have ruled himself out of the running for the Aston Villa job. The former Manchester United forward said today he intends to “stand by” the remaining two years on his contract at current club Molde, having held talks with managerless Villa yesterday.

Torch relay begins in Cornwall

Sat, 19 May 2012 12:15:20 GMT

Olympics:Three-time Olympic sailing champion Ben Ainslie today kicked off the London 2012 Olympic torch relay, saying it was “one of the more nervous moments of my life”. Ainslie was up in the early hours to complete the first leg of a relay that will take in a cross-border trip to Dublin from Northern Ireland at the start of June.

Clarke struggling in Volvo Matchplay

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:28:55 GMT

Golf:Justin Rose piled on the agony for Darren Clarke with a 6&4 drubbing at the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain

Harrington four behind at Byron

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:28:55 GMT

Golf:Ireland’s Padraig Harrington shot a two under 68 for a share of 24th place following the first round of the Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas. The Dubliner was five under at 10 holes but a double bogey on 12 and bogeys on 15 and 18 – he birdied the 16th - arrested his gallop.

Rangers looking at Third Division

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:28:55 GMT

Soccer:Charles Green has named two members of the Sevco consortium who are set to take over Rangers. The former Sheffield United chief executive has so far been unwilling to divulge the identities of those planning to invest in the clu

Rodgers turns down Liverpool approach

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:28:55 GMT

Soccer:Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers has turned down the opportunity to hold talks with Liverpool over the managerial vacancy at Anfield. Liverpool sacked Kenny Dalglish on Wednesday after finishing a disappointing eighth in the Barclays Premier League.