Thursday 17 January 2013

MORNING SPORTS HEADLINES




GOLF

Shane Lowry is due on course in the next few minutes for his opening round at the HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi

Rory McIlroy struggled from the tee in his first round with his new clubs, the world number finished up three over par

His playing partner Tiger Woods shot a level par round of 72

Jamie Donaldson is the clubhouse leader at 5 under 

Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington are both 1 under early in their rounds


SOCCER

Arsenal set up an FA Cup fourth-round tie away to Brighton after a narrow win over Swansea in last night’s third round replay at the Emirates.

The Gunners dominated their guests for most of the game in north London, but needed a late goal from Jack Wilshere to help them to a 1-0 win.


Manchester United are also through to the fourth round, where they will face Fulham, after a narrow 1-0 win over West Ham at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney's 9th minute goal was the difference between the two sides, but the striker also blazed a penalty over the crossbar during the second-half as United were left holding-on for the win.

United have missed more penalties than they’ve scored this season


Chelsea missed out on a chance to make up ground on the two Manchester clubs in the Premier League. The Blues have been held to a two-all draw by Southampton at Stamford Bridge.

Despite racing into a two-nil lead after first-half goals from Demba Ba and Eden Hazard, the home side had to settle for a share of the points. The Saints claimed a draw after second-half goals from Ricki Lambert and Jason Puncheon.


Former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane has extended his contract with LA Galaxy.

The Republic of Ireland captain has agreed a long-term deal with the two-time MLS champions.

Keane, who signed from Spurs in August 2011, scored 18 goals in 32 regular-season games last year and added six in the play-offs.


Joey Barton has issued an apology to Dietmar Hamann after an angry twitter row between the two former Manchester City team-mates earlier this week.

In a statement, Barton says that his "comments should not have been made, as they could have damaged Dieitmar’s reputation, which should  remain intact as a fantastic player and ambassador for German Football, as well as the game in general."


QPR have completed the signing of striker Loic Remy from Marseille for a club record fee of eight million pounds.

The France international has signed a four and a half year deal with the Premier League strugglers after turning down an approach from Newcastle.


Tottenham midfielder Sandro is facing a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.

He picked up the problem in the goalless draw with QPR in the Premier League last weekend.


GAA


Colaiste Naomh Chormac are away to Airegail Ballyhale in the quarter finals of the Leinster Vocational Schools Senior Hurling Championship this lunchtime

That last eight tie throws in at Ballyhale at 12.30

Yesterday Portlaoise CBS moved into round two of the South Leinster Post Primary Schools Senior Football Championship following 0-9 to 1-3 win against St Mary's Enniscorthy

Ardscoil Chiaran Clara claimed the North Leinster Post Primary Schools Junior D Football title with a 1-18 to 1-8 victory over Bush Post Primary


Mayo claimed a comfortable victory over GMIT in their Connacht FBD Football League match in Ballinrobe.

Goals in either half from Richie Feeney and Conor O'Shea helped last year's beaten All Ireland finalists to a 2-16 to 0-06 win.


There were also five games taking place in the McKenna Cup in Ulster. All Ireland champions Donegal registered their first win of 2013 after Jim McGuinness' experimental side claimed a narrow 1-14 to 2-10 win over St Mary's in Ballybofey. Tyrone, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Down all progressed to the last-four.

Tyrone continued their title defence with a 1-18 to 0-09 win over UUJ at Healy Park, while Down were too strong for Armagh. Fermanagh lost out to Monaghan but still went through as the best runners-up and will now face Tyrone in the last-four. Also tonight, Derry fought-back from eight points down to draw Antrim on 1-13 apiece at Celtic Park.


A Kilcoo supporter has reportedly been handed a lifetime ban from GAA after an investigation into alleged racial abuse towards Crossmaglen's Aaron Cunningham during last month's Ulster Club Football final.

A second supporter of the County Down club is also believed to be under investigation. A spokesperson for the Ulster Council has said that they have no knowledge of the punishment.


Waterford's Kevin Moran says he hopes that John Mullane will commit to the county's cause once again for 2013.

It’s been reported that Mullane will meet with Deise boss Michael Ryan in the coming days to discuss his inter-county future.


RUGBY UNION

Ireland coach Declan Kidney will name his Six Nations panel this morning.

The Irish Independent reports that Brian O'Driscoll, Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald and Sean O'Brien will all be named in the Wolfhounds panel for next week’s game with England as well as the main squad for the Six Nations.

The coach wants to give all of those players extra game time before the Championship kicks off against Wales on the 2nd of February.


Ronan O'Gara's citing hearing will take place in Dublin at three o'clock.

The veteran out-half is facing a minimum four-week ban if found guilty of kicking-out at Edinburgh lock Sean Cox during last weekend's win at Murrayfield.


Marist Athlone and Longford rugby coach Niall Moran will be Leinster's assistant coach for the upcoming Junior Interpros

The Westmeath native and former Buccs player has been with Longford for the past three seasons and along with Tony Dolan coached the Marist to the Connacht Schools Cup title last year

Leinster will take on Connacht, Munster and Ulster selections at the end of March


BOXING

The Irish Amateur Boxing Association have decided to move this year's senior finals away from the National Stadium. The finals, on February 22nd will now be held at the City West Hotel in Dublin, which will provide a bigger venue to cater for demand.


The iconic York Hall in London plays host to tonight's World Series of Boxing card between hosts the British Lionhearts and the USA Knockouts

The Lionhearts will have Westmeath's Joe Ward and John Joe Nevin in action as they aim to inflict a defeat on basement side USA and move second in Group B

Nevin takes part in the most interesting bout of the evening where he takes on Frenchman Daouda Sow at lightweight in a meeting of Olympic silver medalists from 2008 and 2012

Moate's European champion Ward goes in search of this third win of the competition at light heavyweight where he takes on the Croatian Marko Calic who is yet to win a bout in this series, that's the penultimate fight on the card

And there's also Irish interest in the third bout which is a repeat of the 2009 World Quarter Final as Belfast's Michael Conlon represents the USA against Britain's Andrew Selby at bantamweight

Conlon won a bronze at the London Olympics while Selby was a silver medalist at the 2011 Worlds

Tonight's card gets underway at 8pm


Roddy Collins says he has no concerns about his brother Steve taking to the ring for the first time in over 15 years to take on Roy Jones Junior

Steve, now 48 years old, has insisted that the bout wouldn't be a comeback or motivated by money but rather a grudge match with Jones who he felt dodged him during their peaks

Collins has been training since before Christmas and is set to be medically tested next week and Athlone Town boss Roddy says if his brother is declared fit to fight then he has no issue with him taking on the bout


TENNIS

Andy Murray's has breezed through to the 3rd round of the Australian Open with a straight sets win over Joao Sousa.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga , Victoria Azarenka , Serena Willams and Caroline Wozniacki have all won their matches today.


RACING

Westmeath's Gigginstown House Stud saddle three runners for the prestigious Grade 2 Matty Ryan Memorial Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles this afternoon

The Gordon Elliott-trained Roi Du Mee will go off the favourite under jockey Davy Russell

Days Hotel, Tranquil Sea, Joncol and Quito De La Roque provide the opposition at 10 past 2

Mikael D’Haguenet has a chance to write some wrongs over fences when he runs in the W.T. O'Grady Memorial European Breeders Fund Novice Chase at 20 to 2

Today's seven race card gets underway at 10 past 1

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