Well the Magner’s League table might not look like this at the end of the weekend, so I had to grab a shot during the game. Ulster running in a few tries to collect a bonus point against the Scarlets. Humphries controlled the game well and Trimble grabbed a couple of cheeky tries. Sets them up nicely for Bath in the Heineken next week. So will it be Munster or Leinster leasing the table at the end of this weekend’s games? I tip Munster.
It’s great to get into the swing of things with the Champions League. Liverpool had just started to hit form in the Premiership, but this was poor. No way through for Torres and co. and the result was fair. Dirk Kuyt was too tactless and Benayoum doesn’t pass the ball enough for my liking.
Rangers were hammered at home to Seville, so it may be a long qualification round. Arsenal on form at home with a 2-0 win over Olympiakos, although they left it late.
This was a really busy weekend for sport – GB and Ireland win the Vivendi Trophy, although Padraig Harrington missed out on the big $10m bonus, after a strong start. Bernard Dunne got badly beat about in his first defence. Lewis Hamilton wins the Singapore GP and the Cork ladies pipped Dublin by a point.
The Mangers League is buliding up a head of steam, as more big name players get a run out in advance of the Heineken Cup. Munster had a convincing win against the Dragons, although it took them a while to hit the groove. A Munster debut for Jean de Villiers, but he looked off the pace. Nick Williams wasn’t running in a hat trick of tries, with Dougie Howlett grabbing a bonus point. O’Gara binned for messing – he probably deserved it. Meanwhile, Ulster’s win away at the Sportsground gives them a little bit of breathing space, as Connaught chase the elusive Heineken Cup spot. I didn’t see the game, but a couple of penalty misses by Keatley can’t have helped Connaught, whereas Ulster had man of the match Ian Humphries scoring with boot and managing a try. Leinster on winning form too, but it was a late drop goal from sub’ Johnnie Sexton that clinched a win. Leinster v Munster next week is something to look forward to, giving us an idea of form before the Heineken Cup get’s going.
Chelsea’s winning streak came to an end at Wigan – Cech sent off for fouling to give Wigan their second, but woeful defending early on gave Wigan the lead. Early days, but Chelsea were looking good of late, so it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back. Man U took full advantage of this with a 2-0 win to go top. Some big scoring for Liverpool who are hitting a bit of form, smacking 6 in at Hull. Spurs got 5 at Burnely, with Robbie Keane getting four.
Champions League returns, but all the English teams should do well – Fiorentina may prove the toughest opposition for Liverpool. Aresenal at home to Olympiakos and Rangers away to Nicosia. Rangers will do well to get a result at home to Sevilla.
It’s been a really busy few weeks for sports, with the Premiership getting up to speed, World Cup Qualifiers, Champions League, Tri-Nations getting picked up by the Springboks and the Magners league starting – not to mention a couple of big GAA finals – Kilkenny with Liam on the shelf again and Kerry keen to hang on to Sam (which they probably will).
So just some highlights and comments.
So New Zealand finally got up to speed and gave South Africa a game, but the Bok’s picked up the Tri-Nations in pretty convincing style, having lost only the once to Australia. The Springboks clinched it 32-29 – but the game was lost really early on, with Springboks charging into a lead with their kicking – the two Steyn’s – Moyne kicking consistently, and huge kicks cleanly converted from well inside his own half from Francois – I really think this turned out to be the difference between the sides in the end, as the All-Blacks were always chasing this lead. The Springboks won this tournament with brut force – kicking and running. Maybe not so nice to watch rugby, where even small guys can make a difference. I hope rugby doesn’t go too much further in this direction, or we’ll have two types of rugby league – but then again the attempts at the ELVs didn’t work. One piece of good news is Argentina joining the tri-nations, which I think is great (although I was hoping the rumours of a 7-nations, with Argentina playing in San Sebastian or Camp Nou, might become a reality – ahh well).
Domestic rugby and the Irish provinces fared better in round two, with 3 out of 4 wins. Even I was impressed with Ulster’s away win to the Ospreys. They had some big names – Jerry Collins, Alwyn Jones, Hook et al. – so it was good to see Ulster hang in, considering they were missing a few key personnel. Saying that, it’s very early days. Munster looked ok and although I didn’t see Leinster, the result suggests they are back on track.
On to soccer and the City v Arsenal game had loads to talk about – Adebayour proving to be the in form striker in the Premiership – pity his antics means that he misses the big Manchester derby this weekend. I’m looking forward to catching a bit of that game. I’d love to see City nick a win, but I think Ferguson will make sure Man U are on form.
There are loads of other bits to talk about, but that will have to do for now. I hope to get a weekend review in – the Manchester derby must be the highlight, but we have an Wallabies v All-Blacks, a bit of Magner’s League, Chelsea v Spurs and that little matter of which county will be traveling home to Munster with Sam. Great stuff.
You have to respect the Kilkenny Cats, who picked up their fourth Liam McCarthy in a row. I was so glad this SHF was so much better and competitive than last year, but I was gutted for Tipp’, who were leading for so long and almost had the cats in the bag. A foolish lash of the ash, and a very dubious penalty meant it wasn’t to be. I’ve enjoyed watching Kilkenny play, but it’s time for a bit more competition. I head Brian Cody lose the rag this evening when asked his opinion on the penalty decision, on Newstalk. Disappointing, coming from the best hurling manager in historym, but maybe that’s what it takes to win?
On to the football and I just watched the last twenty of the most boring football match I can remember – Ireland v SA at a half filled Thomond Park. No more to say about that – at least in Cyprus the result compensated for a poor match. Meanwhile north of the border, Norn’ Iron were so unlucky not to walk away from Poland with three points, which would have put them in a great position. They would have had to defend for most of the second half to secure a win, and a momentary lapse let Poland in for the equaliser. They have another go tomorrow v Slovakia, but it’s a big ask.
I’ve left the rugby to last, as I can’t quite get my head around all four Irish provinces losing on the opening weekend of the Magner’s league. Munster and Leinster might be pacing themselves for tough Heineken Cup weekends in the New Year, but I can’t understand how Ulster and Connaught didn’t put up a better opening fight, especially after some good pre-season results for Ulster. Ahh, could be a longer season towards the bottom of the Magners.
Lastly, Australia kept the Tri-Nations open (for a little bit) with a win over SA that gives the All Blacks a chance. Looking forward to see if the All Blacks can lift their game from the first few disappointing run outs.
The big game of the weekend was Man U v Arsenal, arriving early in the season schedule. Surprisingly, both team had already lost a game, putting a bit more pressure on securing the points from this one. Arshavin’s opener for Arsenal was impressive, and had them coasting for what could have been an important win. Not to be, with a Rooney deserved penalty putting Man U back on track. Wegner sent off in the final stages, after a week of debate with officialdom over Edourado’s dive. Meanwhile Chelsea steam ahead with a solid home win to Burnley – 3-0, goals from Anelka, Ballack and Ashley Cole. Totteham keeping their 100% too and struggling Liverpool sneak an away win after trailing to Bolton.
On to the rubgt and the Sprinboks were very impressive on their first match on the road this season – not that that would change anything, but they brushed Australia away early on. The Wallabies were flatered by the final score, as SA had the bonus point in the back early in the second half. The opening opportunist try from du Preez got things going for the Springboks, with a couple of others from Habana. Steyn kicking almost everything, yet again.
Well I’ve missed a few weekends recently, so this is just a quick catch up on the start of the Premiership, Harringtons close runs in the golf and whetting the appetite for a Tipp v Cats Hurling final. An update on the tri-nations thrown in too.
Update:
Tottenham put five past Hull (5-1)
Burnley hold Man U (1-0)
Liverpool moving through the gears with four goals against Stoke (4-0)
One of my summer reads. Anthony Foley offers a great review of his remarkable family and career. The Foley family have over 100 Irish international caps, between Axel, his father Brendan and sister Rosie. I’ve read a few biographies of the pre-professional era, from Paddy Johns and Willie John McBride and the like. Then there are those whose stories are completely about professional rugby – Clive Woodward, Martin Johnson, O’Driscoll and O’Gara. What I really love about Axel’s book is that he grew up in the amatuer game and all that went with it, and I suppose struggled a bit to catch up with the pace of change of professionalism. His love of the game is so apparent and he plays with that instilled Munster and Shannon passion. Some of the stories are great, giving an insight into the personality – a passionate, honest and committed player who has a huge love and respect for the sport. Foley would always have been one of the first names on my Irish team selections and he probably should have had a longer run early in his career. I’ll remember him for leading Munster to the long awaited Heineken Cup, but he had plenty of amazing performances in green too.
I missed a few weeks reviews with my holidays, but there wasn’t too much soccer or rugby happening. The soccer season kicks off today with Chelsea and United in the Community Shield. GAA Semi’s – Waterford get a crack at Kilkenny and Mayo v Meath. Harrington leading the field in the final day of the World Golf Championship and South Africa top the tri-nations with a win over Australia.
The Springboks decided to wear white armbands, in protest about Botha’s suspension. Pity they didn’t wear protest armbands 30 years ago to protest about apartheid, but then the argument was to keep sport and politics separate. I bought that argument at the time, so why bring petty bickering about a suspension into things now? Accept the decision of the ruling body, given the authority to run the sport. Move on, play sport. I think this was a really silly gesture. If we want to get really petty, why did Quinlan get 12 weeks when Burger only got 8? But I’d rather think about the game.
Rant over for now 
The Lion’s restored pride with a very strong performance, dominating most aspects of the game and taking their opportunities well. Nice hand work for both of William’s tries, and Moyne’s intercept was excellently timed. Some SA’s were commenting that this was a second team, to blood some new players, but that was their choice. I don’t think a change in SA personnel would have made too much difference. The Lions had to prove themselves and were out to do so.
To start ranting again, the Springboks’ discipline broke down near the end, throwing Lions to the ground and showing completely uncalled for off-the-ball aggression. I just don’t know why they think they can behave like this. The Lions were very mature in their approach, with no need for the famous 99 call this time.
Tour over. I enjoyed it and can’t wait until the next one. Yes, it would be nice to win a tour, but that can happen. Here’s my quick review of how the Irish contingent got on.
O’Connell – I think his leadership was more important that his individual play on the field. I don’t think we saw the huge performances we’ve seen in the red of Munster or in a green shirt, but he will have learned from this.
O’Callaghan – didn’t really get opportunities to play and had strong competition for the number 4 jersey. Good that he was on tour.
Wallace – grows and grows and I think some of his performances were world class. There was debate as to whether Williams or Wallace should start the first couple of tests, but he is an amazing player and he benefited from the tour.
Heaslip – could be there for another couple of tours and I’m sure he’ll also grow as a player. Immense
Ferris – didn’t get to the test stage, but was amazing in all of the build up games. He’s there for another tour or two if he keeps the momentum in his growth up.
O’Gara – not quite as bad as his 2007 RWC, but close. Disaster of a tour and I’m sure he’ll look forward to the beach
O’Drisscoll – amazing tour, and made up for having the NZ tour cut short. Thrives without the burden of captaincy.
Fitzgerald – good tour and again he’s young enough to make one or two more. Might need to develop a kicking game, but his defence is good.
Kearney – star of the show – he became a bit of legend during the tour and rarely put a foot wrong. And he’ll be back in a red jersey.
Bowe – I don’t think I knew how good he has become, even though I watched him often enough for Ulster.
Players to note from the other countries – Byrne, Martyn Williams, Phillips, Roberts, Flutey all impressed me, together with the Welsh front row.