Unable to stop shooting himself in the foot, Ashley Cole couldn’t buy good publicity if it was being sold in the boot of one of his many fast cars. The unadmired Chelsea defender accidentally wounded a work experience student with an air rifle at the club’s training ground last weekend; as you do. He’s since been...
Fullback
The well-worn path to Providence
The well-worn path to Providence
Good genes are invaluable when it comes to elite sport, with a fortunate few predisposed to accomplish great things. But inherited gifts are only put to best use through hard work. The future of Waterford athletics is brighter than it’s been in years. Among the leading lights is Ferrybank AC’s Shane Quinn, who...
Sport’s powers of recovery
Sport’s powers of recovery
If the polls are accurate we’ll have either a Fine Gael or Labour minister for sport once this weekend’s spoils are divvied up. Enda Kenny was interviewed by Ursula Halligan for TV3 on Monday night, with the GAA’s headquarters the chosen setting for a Croke Park agreement of sorts, with the Taoiseach-elect having...
Respecting your elders
Respecting your elders
Johnny Giles has often insisted he doesn’t begrudge modern players their multi-millions. However, he must have been having second thoughts watching Gennaro Gattuso’s hotheaded antics during and after ancient AC Milan’s Champions League defeat by Spurs last week. Having butted Tottenham coach Joe Jordan, “I wonder did...
Déise hard luck stories getting harder to take
Déise hard luck stories getting harder to take
De La Salle, understandably, were utterly devastated at the end of Saturday’s epic All-Ireland Club Hurling Semi-final defeat by Clarinbridge at Semple Stadium. Having twice had victory in their grasp, they didn’t deserve what happened in those final seconds above and beyond extra time – though it’ll be no...
Biker grave
Biker grave
With Alberto Contador likely to be cleared by the Spanish authorities of cheating his way to a third Tour de France title last summer, Sean Kelly has condemned the latest cyclist to heap scandal on the sport. Kelly, along with Isle of Man sprint king Mark Cavendish — who won the opening stage into Waterford during...
Hard to handle
Hard to handle
I think disgust is the best word to describe Brian O’Driscoll’s face as he fulfilled his post-match duties at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. I’m sure there’s a certain amount of cattiness within RTÉ over racing presenter Tracy Piggott getting the plumb job interviewing (as they say in Dublin 4) ‘the rugby guys’, but...
Ronnie or Rooney?
Ronnie or Rooney?
Speaking of players who seemed happier when they were carrying on regardless, Wayne Rooney’s winner against his putative suitors Man City on Saturday has been hailed ‘strike of the season’ already, and “the best goal I’ve ever seen” by his boss. But for me it’s not in the same league as Ronnie Whelan’s shinned...
Old reliable
Old reliable
George Hook described the media performance of Declan Kidney and Brian O’Driscoll on the eve of Saturday’s opening Six Nations game away to Italy as “the most fearful interview ever given by an Irish manager and captain” ahead of an opening game against the perennial woodenspooners. “If they’ve uncalculated the same...
Walking the walk
Walking the walk
Newcastle’s astonishing comeback against Arsenal on Saturday, coupled with Man U’s overdue defeat at of-all-places Wolves, must have shredded a lot of certain dockets on what was a record-breaking afternoon goals-wise for the English Premier League. Newcastle, for all the opprobrium they attract, are undeniably...
Lily-Livered Aldo ain’t
Lily-Livered Aldo ain’t
One man who won’t be getting the call from Sky to bring colour to the vacant Gray area is John Aldridge. Liverpool ledge and Lily The Pink ‘singing’ sensation, Aldo was never one for keeping a lid on his frustrations. Just ask that “f****** cheat” in the yellow hat on the sideline at USA 94, wherever he and his...
Opt-out cause?
Opt-out cause?
Model County icon Matt Forde cited a loss of hunger for his decision to quit the inter-county stage. “Football is too cynical; it’s win at all costs… it’s hard to watch the sport,” the Slaney star said a few weeks back, adding: “Hurling is much better.” That’s not an uncommon view, but both codes are facing the same...
