Media Watch - Real Comes To Dublin

If more has been written about a game of soccer involving a League of Ireland club, then I for one can’t remember it. When did we last see an event that got such press attention? When Shels came so close to the Champions League group stages? When Rovers left Milltown? When J.R. was shot in Dallas?

The talk about the game was dominated by the debut of a wonderkid named Cristiano, but there was to be no waltzing through the Rovers’ defence for the Portu-geezer. Instead ‘the other Ronaldo’ was given a welcome ‘not all...fitting the 'friendly' title of this match’ or so said RTE.ie’s match report. The boo boys were out in force, as anyone with even a cursory notice of Tuesday morning’s papers would have noticed, but is that as big a deal as some claimed? Were those who booed the most expensive Galactico rude and disgraceful or were they merely doing all they could to intimidate the opposition? I’ll leave you to answer that one.



Such an event, of course, drew attention from beyond our little isle as hacks galore descended on North Dublin to report on the debut of the most expensive football side ever assembled (computer games, obviously, not included). Real Madrid TV (available on SKY) reported on their preparations for the game, the preparations which (we were told) took place in Carlton House in ‘May-Nooth.’ The reporter in question obviously hadn’t rambled into the Kildare town for a wander as she struggled with a relatively simple pronunciation.

Still, bad as she was, the reporter in question deserves a Pulitzer when compared to a hack from the normally exemplary Guardian newspaper. Daniel Taylor (who deserves this naming and shaming) filed a report which was as inaccurate as a drunken surgeon. Tallaght Stadium, he told his readers, was a ‘modest little ground...with a half-built shiny block that, on first glance, appeared to be made out of Lego.’ He then went on to call Pat Flynn ‘Shamrock’s obligatory hard man.’ Shamrock, he obviously surmised, was now an actual place! Lovely, just lovely.

Though such blatant mistakes are to be expected from foreign journo’s, at least things are different here in Ireland where our domestic press supports the League, right? Wrong. Those who tuned into RTE to watch the Tallghticos on Monday were instead treated to Monday Night Soccer. All well and good, but not being able to see the game on RTE was undoubtedly an underwhelming experience to those in non-SKY land. Probably a similar feeling to that of a Madrid fan who had vested too many hopes in Cristiano.

Instead of the Real match, RTE showed highlights of Rovers’ game against Sligo (also known as The Return To Tolka) as part of MNS. Therefore, there was no Benzama or Van Nistelrooy of Madrid, but Boco and Rafter of Sligo. And who was Sligo’s answer to Cristiano? Goalscorer Shaun Holmes perhaps? No, wait, he did something of use...

But hey, at least we only missed a friendly. At least RTE or our other terrestrial broadcasters will show us the exploits of Bohemians and co. in Europe this week, yes? Ah...no. Off to the streaming sites I go.

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This was originally written for the League of Ireland website, Extra Time.

Ronaldo set for a Real debut.

Tonight in Tallaght, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to make his first appearance for his new club Real Madrid against the Irish football Giants Shamrock Rovers. Almost 11,000 eager soccer fans have snapped up tickets to see the world's most expensive footballer, who transferred from Manchester United in a world record-breaking summer signing.

It is hoped the 24-year-old Portuguese star will be in the starting line up against Rovers in south Dublin's Tallaght Stadium. Karim Benzema, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gabriel Heinze, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben are also in the Real squad.

The Shamrock Rovers fans have been in very excited about the upcoming game. When quizzed about the fixture one Tallaght resident said "Finally we'll get to see a real football team playing in Tallaght."

Hoops manager Michael O'Neill has all thoughts firmly on an upset. "We can take 'em. I played them 3 times in Football Manager 2008 and I drew one game without cheating, so that gives me hope." Inspiring stuff.

Knocked Out? Nowhere Close

I tweeted about this last night and now I've found it on Youtube. Look at how Danny McIntosh gets up from the second knockdown in the second round of his British Title Fight against Nathan Cleverly last night. It's a good round, so watch it all, but the moment in question comes after 2:05.

Sports-Packed Sunday On The Way

It’s not football season, uneventful pre-season friendlies notwithstanding, but tomorrow could nonetheless be a great day of sport.

Now, as a Galwegian, you might think that I’m about to blog about the fortunes of my county’s footballers. I should, I know, and I hope we beat Mayo, and follow the example of our hurlers who were impressive in the second half of tonight’s win over Cork. However, I won’t.

I may not even watch tomorrow’s match. My interests tomorrow lie in the fate of two very different sportsmen. Though both are American, there’s little else to unite Tom Watson and Lance Armstrong. While Kansas native Watson is amiable, likeable and easy to root for, Armstrong is divisive, brash, arrogant and a controversial figure. Depending on the outcome of their prospective events tomorrow, this pair could vie with each other for the sports story of the year.

Hard as it would have been to believe just three days ago, Tom Watson goes into tomorrow’s final round of the Open Championship at Turnberry with the outright lead. He’s looking for his sixth Championship, a mere 26 years after his last. Nicklaus’ 1986 Masters triumph was great, but a Watson win tomorrow would eclipse even that.



Watson has already lifted the Claret Jug at Turnberry, though the last time was in 1977. On that day, Watson was involved in an epic duel with Nicklaus. He had shot 65 on the Saturday and did so again on the Sunday to take the title by just one shot. Good? This was one of golf’s and arguably Watson’s finest ever hour. Tomorrow could beat both.

Another...storied competitor in his sport is Armstrong. I wanted to say legend there but I couldn’t bring myself to do so. My feelings on him are clear. Armstrong, a cancer survivor who has been called a cancer to his sport, has had as many drugs accusations levied at him as Michael Jackson and he needs a good result in tomorrow’s mountain top finish in Verbiers. 8 days ago I tweeted that Armstrong’s 2009 Tour was over when his teammate Alberto Contador blitzed him and the other competitors near the end of the mountain-top finish in Andorra-Arcalis. I’m not sure if that’s the case anymore. Armstrong looked strong in yesterday’s climb up the Col du Platzerwasal but whether that was a fleeting show of force or a sign of things to come, only time will tell.



Armstrong is one of those men who won’t go away...hence his current comeback. He’s also, despite his many, many, many faults, one of the fiercest competitors in sport. He can end tomorrow in yellow. He can win an eighth Tour de France. Will he? Probably not. But you can bet that he won’t give up battling until he crosses the line atop Mont Ventoux next Saturday.

Tomorrow afternoon, I and several other sports fans will sit at our television screens to watch both of these events. It will be a brilliant day of sport, with drama and intrigue. Watson and Armstrong will be at the centre of events in Turnberry and Verbiers. I know which one I will be rooting for.

***

PS Congratulations to Nicholas Roche on his fine performance today. Second place was a great achievement and a good performance in the mountains could cement a place on the Grand Tours for him in years to come. Was great to see an Irishman doing well in Le Tour for the first time since the days of his dad and Seán Kelly.

Bring Back Bunce

I'm just watching the boxing on ITV4 now. I heard a familiar voice interview McIntosh after his knockout defeat to the very impressive Nathan Cleverly in their British Title fight - the one and only, Andy Kerr.

It was nice to hear Kerr's voice on TV for the first time in a number of weeks. He's a man I came to like as he co-hosted Steve Bunce's Boxing Hour on the dearly departed Setanta Sports News. The Boxing Hour was one of the best sports magazine shows I've ever seen. Always jam-packed with guests, Buncey's show was lively and fun. It wasn't perfect, but it was the only place to go for an unbiased review/preview of boxing events.

After Setanta's collapse, the show is no more, but a campaign to revive it has begun. Supported by The Big Man himself, http://www.bringbackbunce.net has attracted attention from the boxing world and beyond. If you are a boxing fan then go there, sign the petition, and hopefully one day we'll see Bunce (and Andy Kerr) back on our screens.

No Munroe For Dunne

RTE are reporting that Bernard Dunne has been told that the first defence of his WBA Super Bantamweight title must be against Thailand's Poonsawat Kratingdaeng.



The National Lottery will be disappointed - Poonsawat Kratingdaeng isn't a name likely to fit on the back of a scratchcard so he won't be entering the Winning Streak draw if he gets three stars!

In all seriousness, Poonsawat is a serious operator who has won 38 of his 39 fights, 27 by way of knockout. A lot of his wins are over fighters who are not of Dunne's calibre though but a man who can punch is a man who can punch. Poonsawat has two things in common with Dunne. They both have a win over Panama's Ricardo Cordoba and they both have one defeat. Poonsawat's came at the hands of Wladimir Sidorenko, who normally operates at the Bantamweight division. That fight was Poonsawat's only one to be held outside of his homeland so let's hope (from an Irish point of view) that he's a bad traveller. We still don't know where the fight will take place - the RTE article reports that it's up for purse bid and negotiations are ongoing - but given Dunne's financial clout another night at Dublin's o2 Arena is likely.

The news has repercussions for Rendall Munroe. The European Champion and undisputed best Super Bantamweight in the UK seems a natural future opponent for Bernard (he was at the Cordoba fight in March to scope out the Dubliner). It's a fight that makes cash common sense (to quote the dearly departed Buncey), especially if held in Dublin as Munroe's ticket-selling abilities aren't the best. Munroe must now wait for Bernard, but I've no doubt that it's a fight we'll one day see in Dublin, just as we shall see him take on the tough Thai Poonsawat. After sampling the amazing atmosphere at the Cordoba fight, I know I'll be there for both.

The Open Championship - Day 1

Just a quick update on the tips I gave you yesterday. Here's how my selections have gotten on after the first round at Turnberry.

Hunter Mahan @ 34
Mahan had a nightmare start today, playing the first 12 holes in +3. Despite a double bogey on the 15th, he fought back well near the end of his round. I can see him moving up the leaderboard tomorrow - but he has to.

Now available @ 170.


Graeme McDowell @ 85

McDowell shot an impressive 68 today, leaving him on -2. A victim of the tricky 16th, he could be even higher up the leaderboard but the Northerner knows this. Out at a tricky time weather-wise tomorrow though. Needs to be sharp.

Now available @ a very tasty 60.



Soren Hansen @ 140

Statistically my best tip interms of odds improvement, Hansen also shot a 68. It was a round that could have been better - he played the last six holes in three over par. Nonetheless, the Swede is a contender heading into the weekend.

Now available @ 80


David Duval @ 150

David Duval only hit 6/14 fairways, but he drove the ball long and his putting was fine. His +1 today shouldn't rule him out of contention at all, but like many others he needs a better Friday.

Now available @ 300.


Padraig Harrington @46

A 69 for the two-time defending champion, hence a shortening of his odds. But I didn't like what I saw from the Dubliner today. He seemed timid and lacking confidence. I shall be laying him immeadiately.

Now available @ 27.



A couple of other comments. I was very impressed with Ryo Ishikawa. The 17-year-old didn't flinch under the spotlight of being with Woods. He won't win this weekend, but he did well>

Woods didn't. He was shaky throughout and punters who backed him at such low odds must be regretting that now. He's now available at 6.6 on Betfair. I wouldn't, but there's a little bit of value there if he handles tomorrow's high winds.

Does anyone care about the Lyle/Monty spat? Didn't think so.

And I know I didn't tip them, but I'd just like to point out that the other golfers I named yesterday (O'Hair, Villegas and McIlroy) all had decent outings today. Let's hope they don't fall into the 'ones that got away' pile.

Open Tips

After picking Lucal Glover for the US Open, I thought it only fair that this time I put my neck on the line and publish my picks for this week's Open Championship.

The winner should be Tiger. Sorry. But he's unbackable at 12/5. On Paddy Power the second favourite is 22-1 so if you can pick a winner that's not named Eldrick than you're on to a good one.

As I always do, I'll go with five. If one of them comes in, mine’s a Guinness.

First up at Turnberry, the weather is King. This is a micro-climate given it’s proximity to the sea so there’s little point in checking area forecasts. For the record, local folklore is that the wind is at it’s highest when the tide is too so for calm conditions (I’ve looked this up) you want to be on course from apx. 9:30-2:30 each day. The wind should be more calm on Thursday, so I’m focussing on players who will get the best of things on the Friday, which will be key this week.

Padraig Harrington, David Duval, Kenny Perry, Soren Hansen, Paul McGinley, Rory McIlroy, Hunter Mahan are all among the players who fall into this category. On the Thursday, there’s Tiger Woods, Robert Rock, Camilo Villegas, McDowell, Sean O’Hair.

These players have a huge advantage – in the recent US Open, 12 of the top 13 finishers were lucky enough to be given a nice draw and were out on the calmest day, Friday.

You can make cases for so many of these...

Hunter Mahan: hasn’t missed a cut all year, is striking the ball well.

Padraig Harrington: two-time defending champion is quietly confident having returned to form in recent weeks.

Sean O’Hair: 6 top tens in 15 starts.

Greame McDowell: Grew up on a links course.

Camilo Villegas: one day he will win a major. I’m not sure that’s this weekend.

David Duval: He can putt, he’s won this before, and Bethpage gave him confidence.

Soren Hansen: 3 top 10’s in his last four outings.

Rory McIlroy: a future star.





I’m going to go with the following (quoting Betfair prices)

Hunter Mahan @ 34

Graeme McDowell @ 85

Soren Hansen @ 140

David Duval @ 150

Padraig Harrington @46



I’ll also pick one more, extra long-shot special (now known as the Lucas Glover award)

Paul McGinley @ 510



Best of luck. Tips are given for free, but taken at your own risk.

Arturo Gatti R.I.P

Just came into work to the news that Arturo Gatti has died while on holidays in Brazil. I'm not going to examine his life here, nor the circumstances of his death, but I just felt that I should mark the death of a man who was one half of Ring Magazine's Fight of the Year on four occasions. An all-out slugger who never took a backward step, Gatti gave boxing fans some of our most thrilling nights.

Here's my own personal favourite. It's the obvious one - Round 9 from Gatti's first clash with Mickey Ward.

Waterford & Tipp Teams Named

In this the 125th year of the GAA, the Munster Hurling Championship Final could take place in no town other than Thurles.

Tipp haven't won a Munster Final on their home ground at Semple Stadium since 1989, when Waterford were the opposition that day. A bloodied affair (the Déise finished with 13 men), Tipp ran out fairly convincing winners. However, the Waterford team of this decade are a far different affair, and have been very much Tipperary's bogey team.

The teams for both teams were announced last night. As predicted here yesterday, Tipp have made no personnel changes from the team that defeated Clare in the Semi-Final, with a couple of positional switches in the forwards that'll make no real difference given manager Liam Sheedy's tendency to continually change it around anyway.

A big boost for Waterford comes with the news that captain Stephen Molumphy is fit enough to start, which means no place in the starting line-up for former hurler of the year Dan Shanahan or Eoin McGrath who was a thorn in the side of the Tipperary corner-backs in last year's All Ireland Semi. Interestingly, Mount Sion and Ballygunner, traditionally the two heavyweights of Waterford club hurling have just a sole representative each on the starting 15.

Waterford Team: C Hennessy (Ardmore), E Murphy (Shamrocks), D Prendergast (Ardmore), N Connors (Passage),T Browne (Mount Sion), M Walsh (Stradbally), A Kearney (Tallow), S O'Sullivan (Ballygunner), K Moran (De La Salle), J Nagle (Dungarvan), S Prendergast (Ardmore), S Molumphy (Ballyduff Upper, Captain), J Mullane (De La Salle), E Kelly (Passage), J Kennedy (Ballyduff Lower)

Tipperary Team: B Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange), P Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), P Curran (Mullinahone), C O'Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty), Declan Fanning (Killenaule), Conor O'Mahony (Newport, Captain), P Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), J Woodlock (Drom & Inch), S McGrath (Ballinahinch), P Kerwick (Killenaule), S Callanan (Drom & Inch), John O'Brien (Toomevara), Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney), Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone), Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields).

Prediction Time: Trying to shade off any personal bias, I still think Tipp have just about enough. A win for them against Waterford in a Munster Final will be a massive monkey off their backs, and if the Waterford full-forward line can be contained sufficiently, Tipp should do it by about two or three points. It's going to be another tight one, I reckon