The War - 25 Years On

I know things have been quiet around here lately but despite that, I had to break my own silence to share with you the anniversary of one of the greatest sorting occasions of all time.

Today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the fight between Marvellous Marvin Hagler (as is his legal name) and Thomas Hearns, possibly the greatest boxing match of the 20th century.  It’s not an exaggeration to say that the first round, in particular, of this fight is as close as one is likely to see to an all-out war within a boxing ring but the fight as a whole is fantastic.  Add in the occasion, and the fact that at the time these were two of the best middleweights in the world, and you come to appreciate why this fight at Caesar’s Palace has gone down in boxing folklore.

If you watch one round of boxing ever, make it this round.  And if you have five minutes to spare today, use it wisely and pay homage to these warriors.

Great Friday

There's a long standing old fashion pointless tradition is this country of closing down for good friday. Something I don't agree with. I never have. And I can promise I never will agree with it. I remember years ago trying to go on what you could call a "date" on Good Friday and not having a clue where to go-everywhere was closed after all. So after work (yes I had to work on Good Friday) I discovered not only are all pubs and clubs closed but our already useless bus service doesn't actually operate either. BACKWARDS I tell you. But now things are looking up....Munster have climbed aboard their horse to be our Knight in shining armour. Rushing in to save the Damsel in distress Munster and Limerick in particular fought to open the bars on Good Friday for the Match against Leinster. Judge Tom O Donnell ruled that pubs in Limerick city can now open on Good Friday from 6pm till 11.30 for health and safety reasons. With 26,000 people leaving the Park we're all sure the Gardaí would be a lot happier if they weren't all hanging around after the match...right? The Judge declared this a valid reason to open the pubs. I don't really care about the why's I'll admit I'm just glad that we're progressing on this the Church rules all notion we have always had. Judge O Donnell noted that Thomand Park's licence (a licence already secured) allows it to serve drinks (with alcohol hehe) from when it opens it's doors until the end of the game. With this in mind Judge Tom O Donnell said it was absurd that pubs could not open for business as Thomand Park does.

The move to open the pubs, 110 altogether, has created a hot debate within the Bishopless and ministerless City. But at least we can have a drink in Limerick. David Hickey of Souths Bar on O Connell ave welcomed the move in a vast contrast to the Franciscan Friars who reside in the Friary in Moyross, in the shadow of Thomand Park. Their answer to this debate? Boycott the match and hold a vigil outside the stadium. Helpful?

Madam, – The sanctity of Good Friday is not dependent on the laws of the State, but rather on the hearts of the faithful who, in the eyes of the church, should abstain from alcohol on this Holy Day, regardless of what is or is not allowed by the State. Subsequently, those who choose not to recognise the day, should be allowed to celebrate their team however they like, or merely enjoy a drink on a typical Friday as they normally would.

The influence or merging of religious customs with secular law impacts the rights of all citizens, regardless of their beliefs, and continues to cause sectarian violence and oppression in numerous countries, particularly in the Middle East. This comparison is overly dramatic in relation to the Republic of Ireland, but a move towards separation of church and State could be viewed as a modernisation of Irish law.

The problem with alcohol abuse and binge drinking in this country is a separate matter, which surely will not be impacted by a ban on public sale of alcohol for one day. Furthermore, can one not enjoy a rugby game without being inebriated? – Yours, etc,

MEGHAN COAKLEY,

Looks like I'm not the only one to agree here though. As this letter points out it should be a choice and I believe that Judge Tom O Donnell has made the right call here. Lets now hope the rest of this backward country can follow suite and we'll perhaps be as progressive as we claim to be.

More Hard Luck For Trap's Men

The draw has been made in the last hour for Ireland’s Qualification Group for the European Championships of 2012.  We already knew our opponents, yes, but today’s draw dictates our schedule as to when and where we play our games.  The draw was necessary after the Armenian delegation vetoed all agreements at the recent fixtures meeting in Russia.  The outcome of today’s draw can be seen here.

This will be said later on this afternoon, but allow me to be one of the first to say the following...FUCK.  Everything that Giovanni Trapattoni would not have wanted has been granted.

• The glamorous opponents for Ireland’s first football international at the Aviva Stadium...Andorra.  

• We will have to play four different ‘double-headers’ which will involve a game on a Friday night followed by another the next Tuesday evening.  All of these involve one game at home and the other away, and on three occasions the squad will have to make long trips between Dublin and countries in Eastern Europe, namely Armenia, Slovakia and Russia.

• We have a match in June, traditionally a time when we struggle due to the relatively early finish to the English season, and it will be away to Macedonia, where the heat will be an isse.

The fixtures can be changed, and there are two free dates.  However any such change requires the consent of all of our group opponents, something which is believed to be unlikely given the difficulties encountered in the fixtures meeting in Moscow.  Therefore we are likely to be stuck with the hands with which we have been dealt.

Disaster is not the word.  Our qualification hopes have just taken an almighty blow.

Deeply sorry

We're very lazy here lately. Or rather busy! Gavin is up the walls with work stuff and I'm on teaching practice (the joys of student life!) but I'm taking ten minutes out of my busy day to remind you about the 6 Nations this week! It's not like you'd forget about it but while I'm here I want to tease Mr Grace!! Our fantasy league is also onto the final week and there's just 4 points separating the top of the table! Who's on the top of the table? Well Mr Grace is in second place and my marvelous self is ahead by 4! So all thats left to do now is kick ass and win so I can win the league (first time ever) and show Gavin Grace I do know my 6 Nations.

Wish me Luck!!

Eh...'Cum' Again?

A real quote from the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, spoken by a cross-country skier from Norway who, it seems, was a little self-critical following a poor leg in one of the relays yesterday.

Again, this IS real.

My name is Odd-Bjoern Hjelmeset. I skied the second lap and I f----- up today. I think I have seen too much porn in the last 14 days. I have the room next to Petter Northhug and every day there is noise in there. So I think that is the reason I f----- up. By the way, Tiger Woods is a really good man.

Bobsleigh Beats Henry

Good news.

Irish sport has avoided a “catastrophe.” Seriously. That’s the assessment tonight of the esteemed President of our Olympic Council Pat Hickey.

Ireland are sending a small team to the Winter Olympics, which get underway this weekend, and among our contingent are our first female bobsleighers, Aoife Hoey and Claire Bergin. Their place was under threat as the Australian team argued that they should be entered into the competition instead of them as they were the finest sledders in Oceania (which is, I imagine, akin to being a tall midget) and brought a case to CAS, or the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Thankfully for all involved the case has been decided and now both teams will compete. Crisis averted, common sense prevails. Mainly.

Here’s Hickey’s quote in full:

"It would be outrageous if those girls were stripped of their accreditation and sent back home to Ireland...(all ok so far)...We're already suffering from the football situation of Thierry Henry scoring a goal with his hand and eliminating us from the World Cup finals....(true but what has that got to do with this?)...if something like this happened it would be a catastrophe altogether."

For Pat’s sake, I hope that was said with his tongue firmly in his cheek.

Keith Woods Talks Back

It's a very lazy blog post today I'm afraid. I really just wanna direct you to a Keith Woods opinion I found on BCC today. Clink on his name above for an insight into Irelands chances in the 6 Nations this year from the viewpoint of former captain Keith Wood and how he sees this years 6 Nations going for us. Lets face it he was captain for a long time and he knows his stuff. I for one value his opinion so read it and see what you think.

Just a gentle reminder while I'm here. The 6 Nations starts this Saturday and we've set up a Fantasy Rugby League here at the Almost Daily Sports Blog. Like any good league we need teams to join in with us. You'll need the PIN number to join which is 6320. All you need to do is choose your players for your team and join the league using the above pin. There's an option there to introduce yourself to us so feel free to use it, we'd love to see who we're up against! I like knowing who's ass I've gotta kick other than Gavin's of course! There is a prize as I mentioned yesterday so come and show off your rugby knowledge and beat us all!

Fantasy 6 Nations

It's that time of year again! But then again you know that cause you read my post from earlier on today. Of course you did.....right? Anyway here at the Almost Daily Sports Blog we are a big fan of sports (obviously!) and we love our fantasy teams. But you know that from Gavin's Fantasy Premier League. But now it's my turn to set up a league and what better sport to have a fantasy league in than my beloved rugby?? Go the link below register a team. Go on you know you wanna.....

http://www.lorealmenfantasyrugby.ie/

Now that you have the rules read and you know the L'Oreal prizes it's time to join OUR league. You need a pin number for this which I've very kindly added in here for you.

PIN: 6320

Now come join me, Gavin and the rest of the Almost Daily Sports Blog team (when they get sorted for the league) to win a great Sports Blog prize and watch Ireland with us. You know you want to........

The more the merrier y'all!

RBS 6 Nations 2010

Have a sneaky peak at our fixtures list for the 6 Nations this year.....we can't wait for it to Start!!!

6 Feb 2010	Ireland	14:30	Italy	Croke Park
6 Feb 2010	England	17:00	Wales	Twickenham
7 Feb 2010	Scotland	13:00	France	Murrayfield
13 Feb 2010	Wales	14:00	Scotland	Millennium Stadium
13 Feb 2010	France	17:30	Ireland	Stade de France
14 Feb 2010	Italy	15:30	England	Stade Flamino
26 Feb 2010	Wales	20:00	France	Millennium Stadium
27 Feb 2010	Italy	14:30	Scotland	Stade Flamino
27 Feb 2010	England	16:00	Ireland	Twickenham
13 Mar 2010	Ireland	14:30	Wales	Croke Park
13 Mar 2010	Scotland	17:00	England	Murrayfield
14 Mar 2010	France	15:30	Italy	Stade de France
20 Mar 2010	Wales	14:30	Italy	Millennium Stadium
20 Mar 2010	Ireland	17:00	Scotland	Croke Park
20 Mar 2010	France	20:45	England	Stade de France

All the Ireland matches have been highlighted for your pleasure and ease.

We start off this weekend in Croke Park for a fabulous start to our 6 Nations hopes and dreams. Paul O Connell was seen on the Late Late Show last Friday night and has been quoted as saying this year won't be easy. Not that we think last years Grand Slam win was easy Paul..Ireland will play France and England away this year, with home games against Italy, Wales and Scotland. O'Connell expects that schedule to make a repeat Grand Slam a very difficult proposition.He said:'It's a very tough year for us this year with England and France away. Grand Slam expectations have probably been dampened by that fixture list. But we have a great chance in the Championship and we'll give it a good run again.' We know you will Paul! The big question now is will Rory Best and Marcus Horan be ready for Italy on Saturday? Best has been out of action for almost a year with a neck injury and Horan has been out since early December with a minor heart issue. Can we expect them to play on Saturday? 'It's very important for Irish rugby that both Rory and Marcus are available for Declan Kidney and the upcoming Six Nations. They are not quite there yet and may not be considered for the Italy game next Saturday. But there are four mighty games after that and the more games they get, the better.' We'll cross our fingers for Saturday and all want to see them back on form for this years 6 Nations. Bring it on boys!

The Voice Of Rugby RIP

When it comes to sport, it is those that perform on the pitch that largely steal the headlines, naturally.  However, there are some contributors who can enhance a sport in a different way, one which is more subtle yet can have equally long-lasting effects.

Bill McLaren, simply, was the voice of rugby.  He died today at the age of 85.  The amiable Scot lent his voice as the soundtrack to BBC rugby coverage for over 50 years.  He was genial, he was likable.  He was informed.  His research was impeccable and his passionate love for his native Scotland never clouded his work.  Each spring, he guided rugby fans through what was then the Five Nations before his retirement in 2002 and his passion for the game never dimmed.  He brought his own unique style to his commentary, with Scottish colloquialisms and mildly bizarre metaphors inter-twining with an in-depth knowledge for the sport, and a personable manner with which he relayed his knowledge to the viewer, both knowledgeable and novice.

I don’t remember much about McLaren, but I do remember choosing his commentaries over any other, even at a young age.  There was something about his gravelly Scottish voice, his re-assuring timbre that guided the viewer through the game, and enhanced it just by his mere presence.  He enhanced rugby as a viewing experience, be it in the Five Nations or the Autumn internationals or even in Jonah Lomu Rugby on the Playstation.  Along with the likes of Murray Walker, Peter O’Sullevan, Howard Cosell and Micháel O’Hehir, Bill McLaren will join the pantheon of sports commentary greats, a pantheon which is ever decreasing in size.  We’ll never see his likes again.

There is a wonderful video in his honour on the BBC Sport website, and I’ve posted another one of him in action below.

May he rest in peace.