Sport – Page 7 – Slugger O'Toole

“the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed”

Pete Baker on November 20, 2009, 11:28 pm

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RTÉ reports FIFA’s official response to the FAI request to replay their World Cup play-off match against France. From the RTÉ report. FIFA said in a statement: ‘FIFA has today 20 November 2009 replied to the request made by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to replay the 2010 FIFA World Cup play-off match held on 18 November 2009 between France and the Republic of Ireland in Paris. ‘In the reply, FIFA states that the result of the match cannot …

Extra time in Paris

Pete Baker on November 19, 2009, 3:56 am

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Where in the 90 minutes Ireland scored the away goal required to level the aggregate score in the World Cup qualifier against France. Full Time France 0 – 1 Ireland (agg 1-1). Live [radio] coverage here. Update A blatant hand-ball by Henri in 1st period of extra time, but the goal is given. France 1 – 1 Ireland (agg 2 – 1) And That’s how it ends. “A travesty in Paris”. Adds The Guardian’s coverage includes this quote from Irish …

“We recognise that the actions of the club board have compromised the integrity of the league”

Pete Baker on November 11, 2009, 8:40 pm

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After Derry City Football Club’s ejection from the League of Ireland, over allegations of undisclosed secondary contracts for players, the club’s directors held a news conference. They denounced the FAI hearing as “a witch hunt”, declared that “a hidden agenda exists within the FAI in relation to Derry City Football Club”, and that they were “currently exploring any possibility of any type of appeal procedure within the FAI or via a court of law in Dublin or Belfast.” Last night …

“A sense of stunned bewilderment suffused Air Force One and the White House.”

Pete Baker on October 3, 2009, 8:53 pm

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After Chicago got knocked out of the race to host the 2016 Olympics in the first round of voting yesterday – Rio won – it’s interesting to read a more robust defence of “superstar” US President Barack Obama’s involvement from a BBC journalist than in the NY Times editorial. We like having an articulate, fiercely competitive president, especially one with such a strong moral compass. But guys, if you’re going to roll the dice, next time make sure the stakes …

State Primaries not taking up the Minister’s kind offer on Irish…

Mick Fealty on September 7, 2009, 11:38 am

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Simon Doyle writing in today’s Irish News notes that not one of the 76 schools using the Primary Languages Programme to fund language teaching of Irish come from that sector comes from the state sector. The initiative is described as intended (presumably amongst other things) ‘to promote the Irish language amongst Protestant children’. Perhaps it is a ‘problem’ that needs a little more than money thrown at it..? Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on …

Cricket: It takes an Irishman…

Mick Fealty on August 29, 2009, 12:47 am

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Just on a final note to yesterday’s One Day International at Stormont, whilst some England fans are whingeing about the pointlessness of such matches (it’s presumably because of Ireland’s impressive run in the World Cup), we only lost by 3 runs, and had a target of 17 runs to make off the last over (scorecard here). Impressive enough you might say. Then read the detail in the Irish Times this morning: Nine wickets down and needing 17 to win from …

Ireland v England ODI

Pete Baker on August 27, 2009, 3:25 pm

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There was a brief rain delay at Stormont, where England won the toss and elected to bat in the one day international against Ireland [50 overs]. But not before Trent Johnston, on his 100th cap, picked up two early wickets, Bopara and Trott. Cricinfo scorecard. Wicket! MJ Prior c West b Botha 29 (52b 3×4 0x6). Wicket! PD Collingwood c †NJ O’Brien b West 9 (23b 0x4 0x6). Wicket! OA Shah c KJ O’Brien b Cusack 21 (32b 0x4 1×6). …

BBC’s weird sporting scheduling last Sunday….

Mick Fealty on August 26, 2009, 8:04 pm

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David McNarry’s not the only one hacked off with the strange meandering of the BBC’s sports agenda. Dependent up satellite version of BBC2 NI, I missed the whole of Beeb’s All Ireland Championship campaign… Apparently the Radio Times had billed GAA Analogue and the Finals day of the World Athletics Championship to be available on Digital. A transparently fair compromise, which the BBC did not follow through on. It’s not as though it’s not happened before… Meanwhile, on Sundays, those …

Lance’s Dublin group cycle ride

Pete Baker on August 25, 2009, 2:58 pm

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In Dublin today? As I may have mentioned.. 7 time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is organising an impromptu group cycle ride Good morning Dublin. Who wants to ride this afternoon? I do. 5:30 pm @ the roundabout of Fountain Rd and Chesterfield Ave. See you there.. And as he also says Need a bike for our 5:30 ride? www.phoenixparkbikehire.com Update Heh. I’ve decided it’s too nice and sunny (perfect) to ride. I think I’ll just sit around. Kidding!! …

GAA and inclusion: “Let them come in on our terms and if they don’t let them stay out”

Mick Fealty on August 25, 2009, 12:36 pm

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Whatever you make of last week’s Sinn Fein sponsored rally at Galbally GAC, it leaves the GAA in a sticky position. Despite trenchant denials that there was any breach of rule 7a, the incident will have set back the image of association in Northern Ireland. Our Friend in the North lays out the problem, with some precision: It will no doubt survive the hiccup triggered by the actions of a few halfwits in Galbally. Yet for all its achievements it …

Largest urban park in Europe..? Hmm…

Pete Baker on August 24, 2009, 3:17 pm

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With the Tour of Ireland over, 7 times winner of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong, is now in Dublin for a three day global cancer summit organised by his charity Livestrong. As I mentioned previously, when he was in Scotland he organised an impromptu group cycle ride in Paisley via twitter. And he might be thinking of doing the same thing again.. From Lance Armstrong’s twitter feed. “Largest urban park in Europe is Dublin’s Phoenix Park at nearly 1800 …

Tour of Ireland 2009

Pete Baker on August 22, 2009, 12:05 am

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The big draw of cycling’s Tour of Ireland this year is undoubtedly the 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, as the BBC report notes. But amongst the team lists competing in Ireland’s 3-day tour, shortened due to the “very tough economic climate”, are a number of recognisable names. Australian veteran Stuart O’Grady for example, and the Isle of Man’s Mark Cavendish who won 6 stages in this year’s Tour de France including an impressive final stage victory on the …

“Sport has tremendous potential to bring communities together..”

Pete Baker on August 20, 2009, 7:04 pm

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What had previously been a personal opinion would now appear to be the ministerial view as the Northern Ireland Sports Minister, officially, “encourage[s] the GAA to carry out a full investigation into the activities of 16 August at Galbally and to make a full statement as soon as possible.” That would be the activities noted here and not necessarily the activities noted here.. ANYhoo.. [Adds BBC report]. The Irish Times report adds When contacted GAA headquarters referred the matter of …

Ireland poised for victory over Scotland in ICC Intercontinental Cup match

Pete Baker on August 20, 2009, 1:54 am

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After a shaky start which saw Scotland take a narrow first innings lead, and 6 bonus points, Ireland now look set for victory in Aberdeen tomorrow on the final day of their ICC Intercontinental Cup 4-day match. William Porterfield, who was only available for Ireland because Gloucester left him out of their side for the County Championship match against Leicestershire, notched up a second innings 118 to add to his first innings 77 leaving Scotland a target of 298 to …

That GAA thread rides again… in the Irish Post…

Mick Fealty on July 29, 2009, 8:47 pm

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Or at least the potted highlights (including one cracking little satirical riposte from a very naughty boy who I’ve banned too many times to remember – eh, William?)… Here ya go… Go check and see if you’re there… (Oh yes, and the Strand’s in Down Latch!) Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the …

“The financial advice we are getting at the minute is that we could borrow as much as £5m”

Pete Baker on July 24, 2009, 3:36 pm

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Not sure what to make of the opening line from this BBC report Councillors in Londonderry have voted to ask the local authority to take over the project to redevelop the Brandywell stadium. Who exactly are they asking? Apparently, after the “bit of a ruck” Mick noted, they’ve decided that Brandywell Properties, who manage the site’s development on behalf of the Council, aren’t making sufficient progress. Still, after the wonderful job the Council made of managing City of Derry Airport, …

Gaelic Athletic Association 1884 – 2009: 1 In Ulster…

Mick Fealty on July 20, 2009, 9:48 pm

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A few years back I remember talking to a senior DUP politician about the fact that the two populations (despite a considerable amount of Peace Processing that’s what they substantially remain) in Northern Ireland each seem to have quite separate public lives that essentially remain locked to one another… it was that thought which prompted me to suggest to the Newsletter’s Sam McBride the small scale inert character of the Twelfth at the hub of many rural Protestant populations may …

“and will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.”

Pete Baker on July 20, 2009, 7:17 pm

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The Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Minister, Paul Goggins, MP, has launched a 19 week long consultation on proposed new laws “to tackle unacceptable behaviour at sports grounds and events.” NI Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland, MLA, was also at the launch. Consultation document here, and “easy to read” summary [both pdf files]. From the NIO statement. Paul Goggins said: “Our purpose is to help clubs and sporting bodies address unacceptable behaviour by a small minority of spectators who attend events only …

138th Open Championship play-off

Pete Baker on July 19, 2009, 10:40 pm

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If you’re a golf fan you’ll already know that a bogey on the 18th hole has left 59 year-old 5-times former champion Tom Watson in a 4 hole play-off against fellow American Stewart Cink for the 138th Open Championship at Turnberry. Watson has been amongst the leaders since the first round. Online live video here. Adds Cink takes an early lead with a par to Watson’s +1 on the 1st play-off hole. Great save for par by Watson on 2nd. …

Ireland in control against Kenya

Dave Hartin on July 5, 2009, 3:32 am

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Quick update for Slugger’s cricket fans (I’m working all weekend so it’s a little tardy). After Paul Stirling‘s maiden first class ton yesterday and a welcome return to form for Bray, Ireland pushed on this morning on day two of their opening ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya in Eglinton with West and McCallen adding 43 for the 9th wicket as Ireland posted a competitive 404 in their first innings. West also picked up a couple of wickets as the …