Ireland defeat England by 20 to 16 in rugby

Ireland went ahead after 4 minutes when outhalf Jonny Sexton kicked through for Tommy Bowe to beat the English defense to touch down. Sexton missed the conversion.

Wilkinson replied with a penalty from 30 yards after striking the post with an earlier kick.

Jonny Sexton kicks Ireland further ahead from a penalty after twenty nine minutes from 25 yards: Ireland lead 8 to 3.

Half an hour in, England are 3, Ireland 8. But Jonny Wilkinson kicks a penalty from 40 yards: Ireland 8, England 6 after 37 minutes.

Torrential rain is helping to make this a tough defensive battle.

A try for Ireland by Keith Earl in the corner when Ireland won a controversial penalty after a fight between both scrum halves; a penalty to England was reversed.

Sexton missed the conversion. Ireland are now leading 13 to 6.

England came back to level the score with a try by Dan Cole under the posts that was awarded after a booth review.

At 62 minutes gone, the game is tied. Brian O'Driscoll is forced off with concussion. O'Gara replaces Sexton at out-half after 69 minutes.

Wilkinson puts England ahead with a drop goal after 70 minutes... England 16, Ireland 13.

A try for Ireland when Tommy Bowe went over under the posts. O'Gara converts Ireland's lead to 20 to 16 with 5 minutes to go.

Ireland have defeated England by 20 to 16. Ireland staged a massive defensive effort despite being outplayed by England for long periods.

Tom Brady happy to be back on the bus with Patriots team mates

Tom Brady says he's happiest on the road with his New England Patriots teammates.

“There’s no place I’d rather be. This is the place where I probably have the most fun and enjoy it the most," he said.

Brady was speaking after he returned to NFL action with the Patriots in their preseason opening 27-25 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Brady completed 10 of 15 passes for 100 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

“I need the work, we all need the work. You can’t duplicate this on the practice field.”

"Preseason game doesn’t have quite the feel of a regular-season game, but to be out there on the field with my teammates and celebrate after a win, and the bus ride home .. those are the things you probably enjoy the most," he said.

Ireland may shade England in huge rugby clash

England and Ireland appear inseparable as the two teams are set to lineup before 82,000 frenzied spectators in Twickenham this afternoon at 11.a.m EST in their Six Nations clash.
Bookmakers have the sides at even money each to win this particular clash, always the highlight of the season for the Irish.

The game may come down to a tale of two new outhalves, one Jonny Wilkinson of England a fading legend, the other, Jonny Sexton a newcomer to the international scene.

Wilkinson is one of the greatest players to ever play the oval ball game but he has begun to slow down as the years of battle and increasing injuries have got to him. The heady days of inspiring England to the World Cup title are long behind him.

Sexton is taking over from an Irish legend, Ronan O'Gara who he has replaced after O'Gara had a poor match in the Irish defeat to the French. He has much to prove but has shown in his few appearances that he is well capable of leading the line.He is an accomplished goal kicker too but if one game can make a young player nervous it is facing the old enemy at Twickenham.

More worrying from Ireland's point of view was their complete collapse against a French team that could easily have lost to Wales last night, before winning by seven points. As Six Nations champion Ireland were expected to beard the French in their own Lion's den in Paris but instead they found themselves run ragged by a vintage French display.

Most worrying was a complete lack of initiative among the backs who played very square and never utilized good possesion.

Some questions will definitely be raised if they lose to England this time about the stalwarts of the side who have given the Irish so much success over the past decade. Great players like Brian O'Driscoll and John Hayes are now in their thirties, O'Gara has already been dropped and it may be that this Irish team are facing Father Time as much as any English supremacy.

The same question can be asked about Wilkinson of course, but the oft injured outhalf remains a huge kicking threat. If England win they can see their way to a Six Nations title. If Ireland win they can see a Grand Slam and possibly even a share of the overall title in their future.

Verdict: Ireland by 3

Irish defeat British in female bobsled at Winter Olympics

The Irish female bobsled team finished 17th out of 21 teams at the Vancouver Olympics -- but defeated the British who crashed out of the competition.

Pilot Aoife Hoey and brakewoman Claire Bergin moved up to 17th in the final standings, an improvement from 20th where they were after the first round.

That was mainly due to the fact that Britain and Germany crashed on their final efforts.

"We're thrilled to finish 17th and will hold our heads up high in the knowledge we did our best for our country on what was the fastest and toughest track we have ever encountered," Hoey said afterwards.

The former Irish triple jump champion added: "Winter sports have got a big boost. We've been trying to get media for back home. People have the impression that you're from Ireland and you don't have snow but just because you don't have something doesn't mean you can't do it.

"We want to encourage people to follow their dreams.''

Kaillie Humphries of Canada won the gold.

Irish female bobsledders in epic battle to avoid last place

No surprise really, but the first ever Irish female bobsled team are 20th out of 21 teams after the first day of the bobsled Olympic competition. So far so good for those who have compared them to the charming but no hope Jamaican bobsled team of epic memory.

The two Irish girls are three seconds behind the leading Canadians and are in a battle to avoid last place.

Just ahead of them are Australia with an 0.2 second lead. Australia had demanded they, not Ireland, fill the last slot after the qualifying rounds and were eventually allowed in alongside Ireland.

The Irish team Aoife Hoey who is 6 foot 4 in chess and the tallest woman at these Olympics, and Claire Bergin,a former Irish international sprinter were described as "sluggish' after their first run, where they finished last of all.

They improved to second last after gritting was enforced for their competitors-- just kidding.

GM Brian Burke still not happy with Team USA hockey win

Brian Burke is still not happy despite his U.S. team pulling off a huge victory over Canada.

Far from 'dancing an Irish jig;' as one reporter out it. Burke thinks the USA side will have to do a lot better to win.

He told a press conference "You guys are probably going to be shocked by this; I'm not happy with the way we've played to this point,"

"If that's how we play, we're going to have a hard time getting to where we want to get here and medaling," Burke said.

"We have to play significantly better. We need all hands on deck. We're playing with about 10 guys carrying us, in my opinion. I'm not happy with the way we've played. I'm not unhappy because we're in the first seed, and thank god there are some guys pulling on the rope, but we need everyone pulling on the rope."

"You didn't see Canada's best game last night," Burke warned.

"You didn't see Sweden's best game last night. Everything gets ratcheted up now. We've got to ratchet it up, too, or all this goes for naught. They don't hand out any medals for finishing first in the preliminary round."

"Our center ice play, we've made some glaring turnovers that have resulted in scoring chances. And overall intensity for 60 minutes. I thought the first 10 minutes of the second period last night we were nonexistent," Burke said.

"And then I thought we cranked it up and fortunately some guys took the game over. Brian Rafalski might have played the best game of his life last night," added Burke

"But we had a bunch of guys that did not perform to the level we're going to need if we want to have success. No one's taking any bows now. I am not pleased with how we've played to this point. It's nice we've gotten to this position, but if we don't crank it up, this all goes for nothing."

First ever Irish Olympic female bobsled team takes to the ice

It is not quite the Jamaican bobsled team, but the two-woman Irish bobsled team that takes to the ice in Vancouver today will be doing its own country just as proud.

Aoife Hoey and Clare Bergin will take part with 21 other teams. Hoey has already achieved a rare distinction, At 6 foot 4 inches she is the tallest female athlete at these winter games and may well be the tallest ever.

She is a former Irish triple jump champion, which used to be known as the hop skip and jump in the old days. No doubt that will come in handy when she needs to kick start the bobsled.

Bergen only took up the sport in 2008 and is a former 400 meters runner who took part in the European indoor championship last year.

Despite concerns about the track both women have expressed confidence it is safe. They reached speeds of 144 km per hour in training, their best ever speed -- and no the story circulating that the Irish bobsled team wanted the track gritted to slow it down is not true.

Brian Burke's USA team play like him in hockey win over Canada

Brian Burke's decision to go with muscle and strength rather than finesse paid off in spades as the U.S. won an Olympic hockey game against Canada for the first time since 1960.

The young U.S.team that Burke has a never say die attitude that reflects their manager. Burke is working these Olympics despite losing his son a few weeks ago in a car crash.

Irish American players Ryan Callaghan and Chris Drury were magnificent in the U.S. victory. Callaghan made a late game save in which he sacrificed his body to stop a certain score. Drury scored the critical goal to put the U.S. ahead at a vital time 3-2 at the end of the second period .

But this team plays like Brian Burke manages, rough, tough, and no apologies. They look like gold is in their future

Chris Drury biography on Wikipedia

Christopher Drury (born August 20, 1976) is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently the captain of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Stanley Cup champion with the Colorado Avalanche, and an Olympic silver medalist with the United States. As a child, he also won the Little League Baseball World Series Championship with his hometown team from Trumbull, Connecticut. He is sometimes known by the nickname "McDrury".^[1]

Drury excelled at a variety of sports as a child, including hockey and baseball. Playing for his hometown baseball team from Trumbull, Drury pitched a complete game, 5-hitter and drove in two runs in the 1989 Little League World Series championship game against Chinese Taipei.^[1]ceremonial first pitch in Game 2 of the 1989 World Series. After that, he also met the President George H. W. Bush and appeared on Good Morning America in New York City. Two months later, Drury threw out the

Drury played many sports simultaneously; before winning the Little League World Series with Trumbull, he won a national pee wee championship with his hockey team from Bridgeport the same year.^[2] Along with his older brother, Ted Drury, he attended Fairfield College Preparatory School and won a hockey state championship during his time there. He was co-captain of the varsity hockey team his senior year, receiving Connecticut all-state honors for his efforts on the ice.^[3] Chris and Ted are the only players in Fairfield Prep's hockey history to have their numbers retired. The number 18, which they both wore, hangs above the school's home rink at the Wonderland of Ice in Bridgeport in the old rink (currently known as the Stadium Rink after the renovations that added another rink). Chris' name and number are also painted a

Ryan Callahan may be player of the US/Canada game

Ryan Callahan has a real shot at man of the match in this epic clash between Canada and the United States.
The New York Rangers players is visibly growing in stature on the ice during this critical game and was unlucky to be denied on several occasions during that first period. It is the opportunity for the Rochester, New York native to really break out as a superstar in the biggest game so far on the Olympics calendar
2008–09 was a breakout year for Callahan, as he was third on the Rangers with 22 goals and fifth on the team with 40 total points during the regular season. Callahan was awarded the Rangers' Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award for his hard work throughout the season, and scored the winning goal in the team's playoff-clinching win in the final home game of the season. Callahan was re-signed by the Rangers on July 13, 2009.
Callahan was named an alternate captain of the Rangers on October 2, 2009. On January 1, 2010, he was named to the United States Olympic team.

Wayne Bridge will shake hands, make nice, with John Terry

WAYNE Bridge says he will shake hands with Chelsea captain John Terry despite the fact that Terry slept with his girlfriend.

He has also told England officials that he has no problem playing with Terry for England against Egypt in ten days time if he is selected according to the Sunday Express

A source close to Bridge insisted: “All that is nonsense. Wayne is getting on with things."

“Obviously there is much to be done on a friendship level but as far as their professional relationship there will be no problems. Of course Wayne will shake John Terry’s hand at Stamford Bridge and just get on with the job. He is still anxious to play for his country and won’t allow the Terry furore to blind his judgement.”

Brian Burke, U.S. hockey manager, still haunted by son's death

The death of his son Brendan in a traffic accident still haunts U.S. hockey team general manager Brian Burke before Sunday's huge face-off with Canada.

"It's like that Jackson Browne song: Here comes those tears again," Burke told the Toronto Globe and Mail after attending another service for his son, who died a few weeks ago.

"It's like constantly getting hit over the head with a two-by-four. I just didn't stop crying all day."

At the service, his son's former college teammates wore their old hockey jerseys with shamrocks patched on to show their love for him. It caused his father to break down again.

"It is part of the therapy," said Burke. "All of the experts have told me what to expect and how to handle it. Stay busy. Watch your health. And that's what I'm trying to do.

Burke is in Vancouver with his wife and their children, Gracie, Mairin, Molly and Katie from Burke's first marriage. His family continues to get over his son's tragic death.

"You never get over losing a child but you learn to live with it," he said. "That's what I'm trying to do."

Meanwhile he has to take care of the day job. He expects Canada Hockey House to be filled to the rafters Sunday's game.

"It will be a rabid, pro-Canadian crowd like it should be," said. Burke. "Look, there is no comparison anywhere to the place that hockey occupies in Canada. It will be impossible to even think in that building it will be so loud."

Irish House at Winter Olympics the fake Stephen Colbert of Irish pubs

I see the Vancouver Sun has taken me to task for calling the Irish House a fake Irish pub.

It is the centerpiece of the Olympics after hours, the place where athletes hang out, the paper says, but I continue to say it is as Irish as Canadian bacon or curling. It is the Stephen Colbert of Irish pubs, pretending to be something it isn't. It is fitting that Colbert appeared there this week.

The defenders of Irish House, a prefabricated drinking pit, say it's real because the Irish team hangs out there.

What they won't admit is that there is barely an Irish team, six in all, and they have as much chance of winning a medal as I do. Most have likely gone home already.

Let me repeat: "Irish House has as much to do with Ireland as fish have to do with bicycles."

The Sun quotes George McDonnell, B.C., vice president of the Irish Heritage Society (which has a booth at Irish House) who "also dismissed my claim as a bunch of malarkey."

"This is the Irish House, which Doolin's built for the Irish community," he said. "There's nothing fake about it."

With all due respect, George, the Irish community wouldn't be caught dead in it, and you know it as well as I do.

Tell the truth. It is a fake.

Bernard Dunne retires from boxing

Former WBA World Super-Bantamweight champion Bernard Dunne, who was formerly based in America, has announced that he is retiring from boxing.

"After a long thought-out process and speaking with my family I've decided to announce my retirement from boxing.

"I've achieved all my life dreams and ambitions in the sport and it is the right moment for me.

"I'm 30 years of age and it is time to step on and face new challenges," he told RTE.

Dunne defeated Ricardo Cordoba in Dublin last March to win the WBA World Super-Bantamweight title as the highlight of his career. He subsequently lost the title.

"There have been so many highs in my career but to pick one out you'd have to pick the night against Cordoba.

"It is the stuff dreams are really made of. That night was, I suppose you could say, like a movie script.'

He added: "The easiest thing in the world would have been to climb through the ropes and fight again but honesty has always been very important to me and I am being honest to myself, to my family and to my supporters with this decision.

"The great Irish fans that traveled on the journey to a world title belt with me deserved better than to pay their hard earned cash just to see me go through the motions. I could never do that to them.

"Thankfully I have realized all my dreams and achieved all my goals since I followed my dad into boxing.

"To win a world title is something I will never forget and something I am so proud of and I would like to thank everyone who helped make that possible.

"This is a sad day for me and for my family but it is also an exciting day and a new start in my life, one I am really looking forward to."

Dunne's manager and promoter Brian Peters paid tribute to the boxer and offered full support of the move:

"Bernard's decision to hang up his gloves has my full backing and support.

"We've had a number of discussions since Bernard lost his World title last September and having scaled the heights he has as a World and European Champion he believes that now is the right time to walk away and I am 100% behind that decision.

"I think it would only be fair to thank his professional trainers, Harry Hawkins and Freddie Roach, his sponsors Martin Donnelly and Hunky Dorys and of course Glen Killane and RTÉ who helped to turn Bernard into a household name across the country.

"I know that Bernard's achievements will ensure he forever holds a place in the hearts of the Irish sporting public and I know that with his engaging personality he will prove just as popular in retirement as he did during his boxing career."

Padraig Harrington says Tiger Woods needs to get on with it

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington says it is time Tiger Woods got on with it and got back to playing golf.

Harrington stated he was happy that Tiger was finally going to go public tomorrow and talk about getting back to golf. He said it was about time a press conference was scheduled

"It has to be held at some stage," Padraig Harrington said. "The sooner he makes a statement, the better. And the sooner he's back to playing golf — he's pretty good at playing golf — the better."

Harrington should know. When Tiger was out through injury he won his three majors and he is itching to prove he can win when Tiger is in the field. With that now likely to happen at the Masters he will have his wish.

Dropkick Murphys help Seth Westcott take Olympic gold

Dropkick Murphys, the Boston Irish punk rock band, can take credit for the incredible gold medal performance of U.S. double Olympic champion Seth Westcott on Monday.

Westcott had only come 17th in the time trial in the snowboarding event but when it came to the final, Wescott says he found inspiration from listening to the Boston punk rock band who roused pride in his Irish heritage.

Westcott told Reuters Dropkick Murphys made the difference. "The combination of things they have, bringing traditional sounds like the bagpipes into it, the Irish heritage ...and so there's something about that for whatever reason I've had pride in since I was a young kid and just does something to me emotionally and gets me fired up."

Westcott had his iPod on during his historic run and listening to 'Curse of a Fallen Soul" and "Victory" as he made his gold medal surge. "I grew up as a skateboarder and so punk music is part of that scene and that lifestyle," he said.

Why I don't like Shaun White

I can't warm to Shaun White.

Why not I hear you say? He is going to be the star of the Winter Olympics, performing that McTwist tonight in front of millions, bringing gold home to America. He's obviously some part Irish with that red hair and name and stuff so what's not to like.

I dunno. There is just something about him.

Maybe because every move has been planned out since he was six years old --he had his first sponsor at 7 -- and he had an agent as a young teenager in a sport that lives on its counter culture reputation. he made $8 million last year, drives a Lamborghini and seems to put nothing back into the sport

Maybe it is the fact that I have never seen an interview with him where he does not come across as a vapid young man, in love with himself, not his sport.

Or maybe it's just that half pipe strikes me as an overgrown kids sport, not worthy of the Olympics, and this clearly immature surfer dude young man epitomizes that.

And that's why I don't like Shaun White.

Note Dame's Brian Kelly reveals most improved players

Brian Kelly charmed the heck out of a Notre Dame sports team last weekend but it was not the football side.

Kelly was guest speaker at the baseball team dinner and spoke for 14 minutes not mentioning football once to the 1,000 or so paying customers.

However he did speak with the South Bend Tribune before the dinner and dropped some important hints at what is happening behind the scenes

The Tribune reported that Kelly said two of the most impressive players in the winter workouts have been fifth-year senior-to-be offensive guard Chris Stewart (above) and, on defense, senior-to-be Harrison Smith.

“Chris has lost a lot of weight,” Kelly said of the 6-foot-5 Stewart who came to ND pushing 400 pounds and played last season at 340. “He’s a guy, I believe, we’re going to be able to count on in a leadership position on the offensive side of the ball.

“Harrison has impressed us with his physical condition and also from a leadership standpoint.”

“The focus right now, more than anything else, is developing a relationship with our current players in terms of coaching style, expectations, how to go to work every day, their demeanor, their style — all of those things.

“I want to get into spring ball with our expectations clearly defined for what we want from our players.

Spring practice of course kicks off March 26.

An interested spectator at the baseball dinner was quarterback Evan Sharpley who is a dual player and who leaves for Arizona minor league ball this year.

"Brian Kelly is the kind of coach you’d like to play for,” Sharpley said. “I know the players are very excited about having him here, as they should be."

Fireworks in Milan as Beckham starts against Man United

Oh to be a fly on the wall at halftime of the Champions League clash between Manchester United and AC Milan in Italy tonight.

Loaner David Beckham has been picked to start against his former club for the first time since his disagreeable exit in 2003.

Manchester United Manager has been pouring faint praise on former Man U star David Beckham all week.

Just yesterday Fergie told reporters that Beckham's biggest asset was his experience.

As Sam Wallace pointed out in today's Irish Independent, that's the same as praising a racehorse for having four legs.

Be interesting to see what happens if Beckham gets one past them.

Irish Olympic chief says bobsleigh death track is too fast

The head of the Irish Olympic team says the bobsleigh death track at the Vancouver Winter Olympics is too fast.

Chef de mission Siobhan Hoey says the track is "simply too fast."

"I have raised concerns over this particular track in the past, and so have many athletes. It's too fast, that's the bottom line," she told the Irish Independent.

Hoey's sister Aoife is one of the athletes who will hurtle down the same track where Georgian athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili (21) was killed Friday.

"The highest speed that Aoife had reached (previously) would have been in St Moritz in Switzerland. She surpassed that particular speed here. She said it was incredibly fast but she was happy. She said that it was a huge adrenalin rush."

Aoife Hoey and brakewoman Claire Bergin hit 89.5 mph in training "and that was without 100pc effort at the top of the track, so it is only going to be faster."

John Daly hoping to win skeleton sled Olympic gold

Long Islander and Irish American John Daly, 24, expects to be the next big star for the U.S. at the Winter Olympics.

He is chasing the gold in the skeleton sled competition and is fancied to win. He has a $250,000 sled to help him win victory in a competition where average speeds are at 90 miles per hour down the 4,500 foot long track..

"If there was ever a time to be ready, the time is now. I've never slid this great in a season. I'm pushing as fast as I can push," Daly told The New York Post.

He's has four runs, two a day on Thursday and Friday, to prove he's the world's greatest slider.

He got into the sports almost by accident after a gym coach advised him to try the luge

"When the track is really smooth with no bumps, it feels like you are flying on the ice. I guess that would be the best way to describe it," he said.

Daly's mom, Bennarda, of Smithtown says it's tough watching her son..

"You wait to hear that he got to the bottom. You don't want to hear the code 81 -- that he got hurt on the track," she said.

His father, James says he can't wait

"I'm living my life through him," James said. "The Olympics, it's something I've been dreaming about for a long time."

Author and famed jockey Dick Francis dies

Dick Francis, best-selling author, has died at 89 in the Cayman Islands.

A former jockey, Francis's novels were all in racetrack settings an arena he knew intimately.

He wrote wrote 42 novels, but may be best known for a bizarre episode as a jockey in 1956 when seemingly riding the Queen's horse Devon Loch to victory in Britain's biggest race the Grand National. Within sight of the finish line Devin Loch jumped a shadow and fell down losing the race.

Ironically the Queen became a huge fan of the Francis novels later.

Richard Francis was born on Oct. 31, 1920, in Tenby, South Wales. His father was a horse breeder. After serving in World War II in the Royal Air Force, he returned to his father's stables and later took a job as an assistant trainer of steeplechase horses. He began riding in 1948.

His first book, published in 1957, was an called autobiography, "The Sport of Queens." His first novel, "Dead Cert," a racing mystery, was published in 1962. At the time the books were written, Francis was working as a racing correspondent for several British publications.

His last two books were co-written with his son Felix. Their final collaboration, "Crossfire," is scheduled to appear later this year.

"It is an honor to continue his remarkable legacy through the new novels," Felix Francis said in a statement released by the family.

Jamie McMurray defies the odds to win Daytona 500

Jamie McMurray proved that Danica Patrick is not the only big name Irish American racer on their way to the top.

McMurray won the Dayton 500 after a race so charged with emotion that he broke down in floods of tears after his victory and just kept on crying through the subsequent press conference.
McMurray only led for two of the last laps in the second overtime, the lowest leader in laps in the history of Daytona 500 races.

McMurray is the comeback story to end all comebacks. He was cut by the Rush Fenway Racing team last year but came back to do Chip Ganassi, Felix Sabates and Teresa Earnhardt the team he joined proud this year.

This was a race that seemed like it would never end with potholes on the track causing huge delays. McMurray however lasted through it all and came out on top. Along the way at one point he got a friendly push from competitor Greg Bifle to get him back on track.

In the process he beat off a last second charge by legend Dale Earnhardt Jr and kept him in second place in the process.

Describing the moment McMurray said "I got a big run down the backstretch again, and then saw the 88 [Earnhardt], and to be honest, I was like, 'Crap!' I'm like, 'This guy has won a lot of races here and his family has an incredible history here.' "

"I didn't know where I was until I got done almost wrecking down the back straightaway," Earnhardt said. "Then I looked up, and was like, 'Who's this [No.] 1 car in front of me? Jamie's gonna win this damn race!' I was happy for him. He deserves it."

Earnhardt said that "it's frustrating to come that close, but, hell, we were running 22nd at the beginning of the first green-white-checkered."

Asked to describe his last second charge Earnhardt said, "I don't really remember much about it. It was just a blur. I was just going where they weren't. I don't really enjoy being that aggressive, but if there was enough room for the radiator to fit, you just kind of held your gas down and prayed for the best."

Fake 'Irish House' at Vancouver Winter Olympics

"Irish House" is the big gathering place for the Winter Olympics, located just off the slopes in Vancouver. But what most of the 750 people who cram in there every night don't know is that it has nothing to do with Ireland or the Irish team.

Irish House is a giant extension of an Irish bar which is passing itself off as the headquarters of the Irish team in Vancouver. When there was a noisy celebration last week, it was blamed on the Irish team's partying and drew worldwide headlines.

This nonsense is in spite of the fact that there are only six Irish competitors at the Games, and they are all utter no-hopers who can just about ski to the local pub.

After all, Ireland is a country which was paralyzed by a few inches of snow throughout the Christmas holidays as natives struggled to grapple with the strange white stuff.

Mary O'Connor, a Canadian writer for Media Post, has taken the fake Irish atmosphere to task.

"The best I've seen thus far is 'The Irish House,' a giant tented extension of an Irish bar, which many think is the official house of the Irish team. While it's an excellent marketing ploy, it begs the question: Are consumers really gullible enough to believe that Ireland has a big enough Winter Olympics team to justify an official house, or are they simply taking full advantage of the opportunity to party with others from around the world at the Olympics?"

It sounds like the latter, Mary. Irish House has as much to do with Ireland as fish have to do with bicycles.

But never mind. Party on, people.

Danica Patrick crash will turn out to be a blessing

Danica Patrick crashed out of her NASCAR race on Saturday but it was not all bad news for the Irish American racer.

The expectation levels had gotten so high that she needed to bring them down a notch.

There is no question she is a huge star the stands were much fuller on Saturday, but she needs to learn her trade in NASCAR too "I remember my first year in IndyCar," she said, "where in the first couple of races I do really well, and everybody's like, 'Oh, my gosh, you should be winning!' And then it took a couple of years."

So it's important to have realistic expectations," she said. "There's going to be spikes in performance, I don't doubt that. But there's also going to be tough days. And today was, I would say, more a tough day."

"I wish I would have run up there at the beginning and felt comfortable," she said, "but I just didn't. And that just proves how hard it is out here, and how much there is to learn, and how good all these drivers really are."

She is good too, maybe good enough to one day really compete. But by lowering expectations she has bought herself something far more valuable -- time to learn the business.

Stephen Ireland blames former manager for form slump

Irish international and Manchester City boy Stephen Ireland is blaming ex City Boss Mark Hughes for his recent lack of talent on being moved out of his regular midfield position.

Hughes, who was sacked late last year and replaced with Robert Mancini, placed Carlos Tevez instead of Ireland in midfield, throwing the Irish man off balance.

"I was being played out of position. Maybe as a holding midfielder, left wing, right wing. It's not me," he told the Football Association's website.

Ireland, who has played six out of ten games under Mancini, was recently sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Ireland, who has been at City since 2001, added: "You have to adjust and think 'I have to do it' but if you want the best out of me you have to play me in my best position. Then I can be myself because the chains are off."

Ireland has a great relationship with his fans; "I have really worked hard over the last two years to build up my relationship with the fans," the 23-year-old added.

"Even when I was doing a signing session a few months ago I ended up staying for over three hours.

"It comes naturally to me. Even though I came over from Ireland, the fans still regard me as one of them. I am very grateful for that."

Hannah Kearney confident she's closing in on Olympic gold

Hannah Kearney will be hoping to impress her new friends at local watering hole the Irish House in Vancouver by bringing back Olympic gold.

The Irish American mogul skier from new Hampshire had a very successful day in the first round of competition and more is promised to make up for the heartache of Italy four years ago where she finished 22nd despite being one of the favorites.

"My goal is to win a gold medal," she told News 9 in new Hampshire . "I'm not here to lose, that's for sure.

Her coach since childhood, Nick Preston, thinks she will make it this time
"She has this tremendous drive, this world class athleticism, and she has a fire in her belly that burns brighter than any athlete I've ever coached," Preston said.

"When you know that something is right, you can just feel it, and that's how I feel when I'm skiing moguls," Kearney said. "That's when I feel the most confident and comfortable with myself, is when I'm skiing moguls. I just feel cool, and that's when you know you're doing the right thing."

Kearney, started skiing at age 2, and is confident these are her games ."This is what I've been working for," she said. "It's go time, and I'm ready. I don't feel nervous. I feel confident."

"She will bring it to the hill, and that will be something, I think, for all of us to behold and for our country to be very, very proud of," Preston told the New Hampshire media .

Ireland behind France by 17-3 at half time in rugby game

Ireland were down 17-3 against France at Stade de France at half time and looked in deep trouble after a bright start in near freezing conditions.

Ireland lost 10 points when prop Cian Healy was sin binned after a blatant takedown on a French player was caught by the referee.

Minutes later hooker Gerry Flannery lashed out at a French player and reversed a penalty to Ireland by his actions. France went on to score a try.

Ireland got back in the game with a Ronan O'Gara penalty but then a dreadful knock on by Paul O'Connell on the resultant kick off saw France sweep down the field and score a try under the posts.

Ireland attacked in the closing seconds of the half but just failed to get over the when O'Leary was stopped on the one-yard line.

Half time Ireland 3 France 17.

Harrington just two shots behind at Pebble Beach

Padraig Harrington is within two shots of the lead at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California with a five-under-par 67 at the Golf Links after the second round

Harrington pronounced himself very happy with his effort .”You know, it was a great day to score. When I actually finished, I actually had to total up the score. I wasn't sure what it was, so that's always a good sign.

"It shows I was enjoying the day and very much in the moment, and, you know, not getting too much into the results. All those cliches that you're meant to do when you're playing golf..”

The Irishman is two behind Germany’s Alex Cejka.

Harrington’s birdied the second, sixth, 11th, 15th and 18th.

Liam Brady steps down as Ireland assistant manager

Liam Brady has stepped down as Ireland's assistant manager. The decision is a big blow to manager Giovanni Trapattoni and his other assistant Marco Tardelli who were heavily dependent on the former Arsenal and Ireland star who is fluent in Italian.

Brady says his work as Director of Youth Development at Arsenal will be his major commitment from now on and that he is no longer able to share the workload with the Ireland job.

Brady stated "The Ireland role required me to be away a lot of time and although Arsenal made clear they would have been quite happy for me to continue, I have decided it is not right in the circumstances to remain in position after I complete my contract this April. I thank the FAI and everyone in the Irish set-up. It has been a great personal experience for me and I wish Giovanni, Marco and all the players all the very best for the coming campaign."

Giovanni Trapattoni said: "Liam has been a great asset to the Ireland management team and we will all be sorry to see him go after his last match with us against Brazil in the Emirates Stadium. He has done a great job here and I know all of the players join me in wishing him every continued success at Arsenal."

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said: "Liam is a legend of Irish football and a gentleman to work with. He has impressed everyone here at the Association with his dedication and commitment. His lifetime of experience at the highest levels in the game, in Italy, England and Ireland, brought a necessary dynamic to the original building of the team and contributed significantly to the success of the last campaign. We wish him all the very best in his continuing role at Arsenal."

Brady’s last game as the Ireland Assistant Manager will be the March 2 friendly against Brazil in London.

Irish bobsled team allowed to compete in Winter Olympics

Olympics officials have agreed to allow both Ireland and Australia to participate in this months Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

Australia had challenged Ireland's inclusion and not theirs in this years Olympics.

They argued that the International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation failed to correctly apply it's qualification system leaving Oceania without a representative.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport recommended that both countries be allowed compete for the bobsleigh event expanding it from 20 to 21 teams. On Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee approved the Court of Arbitration's recommendation and have agreed to allow both countries to participate in the competition.

Trapattoni to take Nigeria to World Cup and then return to Irish Job?

Ireland soccer boss Giovanni Trapattoni may be about to sign for Nigeria for this summer's World Cup according to reports.

Trapattoni's agent, Domenico Ricci, has now said he will welcome an approach.

"This is a very delicate issue, but of course Giovanni will be interested," Ricci told Kick Off Nigeria. "He can leave the Republic if he gets a concrete offer, but that would have to come before March 3 and then he can consider it."

The news will come as a major shock to Irish fans who have grown to love Trapattoni, after his underdog side very nearly defeated France and made the South Africa World Cup this summer.

Trapattoni had earlier nixed speculation that he would leave Ireland and stated that he was preparing for the European Championship which kicks off this autumn.

Meanwhile Russian manager Guus Hiddink is also in the running it seems for the Nigeria job.

His agent also stated his boss was interested:

"Guus is a loyal employee of the Russian Football Federation," he said. "He has a contract until July 15 and he never breaks a contract.

"If - and I say if because we have not been officially contacted by the Nigeria federation - if we get such an offer, we will have to discuss with the Russian Federation and, if there could be an agreement with the Russian federation, then Guus could consider the situation.

"Currently there is a new president at the Russia Federation and we are talking about the future of after July 15, whether he stays or goes and that might change the situation a bit.

Brian Kelly and Notre Dame magic worked for his son says Cris Collinsworth

NBC star football analyst Cris Collinsworth has described how he knew the minute Brian Kelly was hired for Notre Dame that his star prospect son Austin was headed for South Bend. He said a visit to the campus just reinforced the message.

Harvard, Stanford, Cincinnati, Kentucky and Vanderbilt were also trying to hire the wide receiver at the time but Kelly made the difference his dad told Cincinnati.com.

"A couple days later (after Kelly was hired), he offered him a scholarship," Collinsworth said. "We went up there and academically, socially and the whole atmosphere ... a light went on and it was over."

What really clinched it for his son says Cris was the walk from the tunnel onto the field at Notre Dame Stadium.

"Football is so important for Austin that his eyes lit up and I saw that it was over," Collinsworth said. "We're all excited about it."

Irish rugby coach Declan Kidney names his starting team to face France

Declan Kidney has named the Irish team to play France in Paris this weekend.

Despite Jonathan Sexton returning to fitness, Kidney has decided to stick with Munster's Ronan O’Gara at out half, with the Leinster number 10 taking a place on the bench.

Kidney has replaced Andrew Trimble with Keith Earls on the wing, and Rob Kearney keeps his place at full back after one of his worst games in an Irish jersey against the Italians last weekend.

Kidney has left the blindside flanker spot open as he gives Stephen Ferris (pictured above) every chance to prove his fitness before the weekend.

Ireland team to play France:

1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), 2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster), 3 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), 4 - Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster),5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster), 6 - A.N.Other, 7 - David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster), 8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster), 9 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster), 10 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), 11 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), 12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), 13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt), 14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), 15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)

Why do Irish make the best Super Bowl coaches?

Ever notice that Irish coaches make the best Super Bowl coaches?

Patrick Sean Payton was just the latest in a string of big winning coaches who share an Irish heritage.

He is actually called after a famous Irish priest called Father Patrick Peyton.

Tom Coughlin of the Giants, of course, was king a few years back. He is as proud an Irishman as they come, making the Irish America Magazine Top 100 list a few years ago.

Then there was Mike Shanahan with the Denver Broncos and now with the Redksins. He had the magic touch too.

Before that was Bill O'Shea, known to you as Bill Parcels, who was adopted by the Parcells family as a child.

Parcells is probably the most influential coach in the past decade, like Bill Walsh who was the greatest in his day in terms of creating imitators and innovators.

Of all Super Bowl coaches, Bill Walsh who took a 2-14 San Francisco 49er team in his first year and made them four times Super Bowl champions (Okay George Seifert coached the last one but it was Walsh's team) may well have been the greatest coach since Lombardi.

Even Vince would have been impressed.

Then there are the wannabe coaches such as Rex Ryan of The New York Jets whose team took a giant stride this year towards being Super Bowl contenders and John Fox at Carolina who has also graced the big stage without wining the Super Bowl itself.

What do the Irish bring?Undoubtedly the ability to communicate as well as keep discipline. Kind of like what the priests and nuns used to do when you think about it.

After Payton's victory the church of Irish coached Super Bowl winners looks set to keep enlarging its numbers.

Bizarre super bowl bet-- will game MVP thank his dog?

You have to hand it to Paddy Power. The Irish bookmaker makes a career out of odd and unusual bets but he may have surpassed himself this Super Bowl.
One of his strangest ones this year is who will the MVP of the game thank first?
You can bet on him thanking himself at 100/1, his dog at 500/1 and Paddy Power at 1000/1.
More likely, God is at even money, his teammates 7/4, his family 6/1, his coaches 18/1 and the owners 100/1.
I notice there are no odds that he will thank the fans, which I think would be a very likely call given that they will be going crazy during the presentation.
Maybe Paddy Power left them out deliberately -- if so that might have been a smart move.
Wouldn't it be fun though if Drew Brees thanked Rover his dog, or Peyton Manning thanked himself? In Manning's case he might get away with it because he has such a great wit.

Saints coach Sean Payton has a higher power on his side

New Orleans coach Patrick Sean Payton has a higher power helping him in tomorrow's Super Bowl which I think can get him across the line.

He is called after an Irishman known variously as 'The Miracle Priest' and the 'Rosary Priest'

So if its fourth and goal on the final play expect Payton to be on his knees to his namesake who can surely ensure victory. A rosary, a miracle or a hail mary might be needed at some point too. The coaches, kids Megan and Connor, sure hope it won't come to that.

The New Orleans coach, a Chicago area native, is named after the Irish Catholic priest, Fr. Patrick Peyton, known as the famous "rosary priest,"who may also have performed miracles.

Fr. Peyton, a Mayo native who died in 1992, would be pleased that a boy named after him ended up leading a team called the Saints to the Super Bowl.

Fr. Peyton was famous for his devotion to the Knock Shrine in County Mayo where Our Lady is said to have appeared to locals in 1879. Pope John Paul showed up there in 1979 to celebrate the miracle.

Now Sean Payton has pulled of another miracle, leading the hapless Saints who have been in the NFL since 1967 and never been to the Super Bowl. Not only that, they were the worst team in the league for many of those years.

Will he join other great Irish coaches, Bill Parcells (birth name Bill O'Shea) Tom Coughlin and Mike Shanahan to name a few who have lifted the Super Bowl trophy?The answer is yes if Father Peyton has anything to do with it.

Danica Patrick belongs with the NASCAR boys

Danica Patrick proved she belonged with the boys.

Her sixth place finish in her first ever NASCAR race was an incredible performance, given the difference between NASCAR and the Indy circuit she normally drives in.

Sure it was second tier NASCAR but many expected her to eat exhaust fumes all the way around. Not so. At one point she scored as high as fifth before eventually finishing a very promising 6th
Danica also proved the critics wrong and gave women sports enthusiasts everywhere a major boost.

“It was a lot of fun,” Irish American Patrick said. “I bumped from the side. I bumped from the front. I got bumped from the back. I learned a lot, and I had so much fun in a race car today. So I

It also impressed Dale Earnhardt's sister Kelley, w“I think she showed us she was able to drive,” Kelley Earnhardt said. “One time I saw her up on the high side, she pulled down low. I kept thinking, ‘Come on, let’s up pull off an Earnhardt. Pass 18 cars in three laps and win this thing."

Patrick has not yet decided if she will compete in the Nationwide opener at Daytona next Saturday.

“I’m really just thinking about today, what I learned and what I can do better,” Patrick said.

So do NASCAR who desperately need a big name to take the sport back to the Earnhardt days.

Danica Patrick comes sixth in her first NASCAR race

Danica Patrick finished sixth in her first NASCAR race on Saturday in her much hyped debut in a stock car.

Patrick was up as high as fifth after working her way back after from almost spinning out of the race.

Patrick tangled with Nelson Piquet Jr and almost crashed out, but she managed to avoid the wall and showed poise to work her way back up the field in the opening ARCA race of the year at the Daytona International Speedway.

Bobby Gerhart won the race itself, though most of the media spotlight was on Patrick.

"It was a lot of fun," said Patrick after the race. "I bumped from the side. I bumped from the front. I got bumped from the back. I learned a lot, and I had so much fun in a racecar today. So I can't wait to do it again."

Rugby : Ireland 23 -Italy 8 at the half time break

Tries by Heaslip and O'Leary and an accurate penalty and conversion kicking performance by Ronan O'Gara ensured an easy 23-8 Irish lead over Italy at half time in the six nations championship first round

Notre Dame's Brian Kelly reveals what he wants in a quarterback

Brian Kelly has revealed what he wants from his four freshman quarterbacks as he looked back on his first recruiting class.

Speaking to ESPN Kelly stated he wanted what he called "FBI" -- football intelligence first and foremost, players who could "handle the mental end" of running a spread offense where so much depends on the quarterback's read.

He also said the quarterback had to be able to "protect himself" and that "athletic ability" was obviously key also.

Insiders say that Andrew Hendrix of the new class remains the early favorite to be the No. 2 under center when the season begins, as understudy to Dayne Crist.

Kelly also paid tribute to the entire Notre Dame staff which despite the Charlie Weis hiatus, managed to recruit a class rated at No 14 by ESPN.

"Let's make no mistake about that," Kelly said. "The staff that I have here today went out and went back to basics. We met with every young man. We got into their homes. We met with their coaches. And essentially after we had determined that a great deal of these young men fit those criteria, we went about starting all over again."

David Beckham, not Rio Ferdinand, should be England captain

David Beckham should be made England's captain, not Rio Ferdinand.

The Los Angeles Galaxy player is on the fringes of the English squad for the World Cup but there is no doubt he is the inspirational type of figure that England needs now.

Rio Ferdinand has already got his own chequered past and he certainly lacks the presence and stature that Beckham would bring to the role.

At 34 and a superstar for well over a decade now, Beckham has seen it all and in the white hot cauldron of a World Cup would be a unifying figure for England.

Ferdinand on the other hand is a fine central defender for Manchester United but has never come across as the kind of inspirational figure that players will go through a wall for.

Beckham on the other hand commands tremendous respect, both for his career and his ability to handle the trashy press and walk away with his head held high.

That unfortunately is one of the traits needed in the modern game -- and Beckham has it in spades. It is called charisma and Rio Ferdinand wouldn't know it if it hit him in the face.

Relief all round as John Terry sacked as England captain

England boss Fabio Capello has sacked Chelsea skipper John Terry as England's soccer captain.

Can't say he had much choice.

The revelations about Terry - who also confessed to admiring Tiger Woods?! - were so outrageous that he should have stepped down himself.

Rio Ferdinand will now take over as England captain with Stephen Gerrard as deputy.

t so sure about Gerrard's fitness as a role model.

This is the man who was arraigned for having punched a disc jockey in the face last year.

Anyway, Terry said he would continue to give "everything" for the team.

"I fully respect Fabio Capello's decision," he said in a brief statement.

"I will continue to give everything for England."

Should have thought of that earlier mate.

Brian Kelly deserves an 'A' for first Notre Dame recruiting class

Brian Kelly's first recruiting class ended up in the Top Twenty according to Sporting News, not a bad start at all for the new Irish coach. "It's a good start for us said Kelly." I think you'll see a growth in the recruiting process for us next year"
He said next year will be even better ."You need time to recruit, you need success if you want to be able to recruit the very best.Clearly we did not have either on our side this time. We will"
Spoken like a true coach who is used to proving his critics wrong. Kelly can afford to be relaxed. In Cincinnati he took a bunch of castoffs from other programs and created a power house.
Even with the restrictions on him this year he will still be very happy.
Matt James and Christian Lombard are ready to play immediately. Hawaiian defensive linesman Kona Schwenks also has a great shot at being an immediate starter.Running back Camron Roberson may be the biggest surprise of all. Kelly fought off three other programs for his signature.
Now comes the hard part, integrating those players into the team for 2010. At least Kelly now knows what he has to work with. Given where he started from, taking over a disillusioned program with fans screaming for change, he has already come a long way.
Me, I think Roberson may be the surprise in this bunch. Mark my words.

Brian Kelly lands major prospect Matt James for Notre Dame

Mission accomplished for Brian Kelly after prized recruit Matt James gave the nod to Notre Dame over Ohio State early today.
James, a huge 6-foot-8, 290-pound offensive lineman, was ranked in the top 100 national prospect by Rivals.com.
His letter of intent arrived Wednesday morning, gladdening Kelly's heart.

"This was one of those we felt like we really needed," Irish coach Brian Kelly said after James signed. "The offensive line is a position that clearly needed some strengthening. Matt James is a guy that can come in and physically compete right away. A real good get late in this process."

"It was a really tough decision," James told Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Mike Dyer's Twitter page. "I like the situation of being in the first class with coach (Brian) Kelly there."

Notre Dame also received official letters of intent from linebacker Kendall Moore and athlete Danny Spond.

Brian Kelly confident Seantrel Henderson will pick Notre Dame

Wednesday is National Signing Day for college recruits and D-Day for Brian Kelly and his Notre Dame staff. That is when the key college players left unsigned will make their decisions known.

According to the South Bend Tribune, the big name to watch for the Irish is Seantrel Henderson, who was the Parade Magazine Player of the Year. He is a 6-foot-8, 340-pound offensive tackle from St. Paul, Minn., and went to the same school as wide receiver Michael Floyd. Henderson would be a huge "get" for Notre Dame, but Kelly is said to be confident he has bagged him although USC and Ohio State are probably favorites.

Rivals.com loves him: "Other than his massive body size, Henderson is extremely nimble and agile on his feet, especially laterally. He gets that from playing basketball when he's not training for football. Henderson also has great hand placement during pass protection, thus being able to direct the pass rusher outside the pocket."

Henderson visited Miami last weekend and will decide among the Hurricanes, the Irish, Southern California, Ohio State and Florida.

Like many others, Henderson will announce his decision Wednesday afternoon on the CBS College Network in New York.

Another player announcing on CBS is J.R. Ferguson, a 6-4, 270-pound defensive tackle from Chatham, Va. His final list include Miami, where he visited this weekend, Notre Dame and other unnamed schools.

Also in the mix for Kelly is offensive lineman Matt James from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, the same school as recent Irish get, quarterback Luke Massa. James will pick from Ohio State and Notre Dame and will announce his choice Wednesday. He visited Notre Dame this past weekend.

Safety Jeremy Ioane of Honolulu is another Kelly dream pick. He was another visitor to Notre Dame this past weekend. His choice is down to Notre Dame, Washington and Boise State. He will announce Wednesday.

Also from Hawaii, defensive end Kona Schwenke will pick between the Irish and Washington. He had been committed to BYU.

Linebacker Christian Jones, a 6-4, 228-pound player from Winter Park, Fla. is said to be considering the Irish, Florida State and Alabama.

If Kelly lands Henderson, you will probably hear the roar from there to South Bend whereever you are.

The betting here is that he will come to South Bend.

Shaun White is set for more Olympic Gold in Canada

Irish American Shaun White is heading back to Canada, plotting his path to Olympic Gold in a few weeks - and the locals remember him from the time he was six.

That was when he first showed up in Canada to train with his family. Ken Achenbach, owner and director of Camp of Champions, told the Canadian Press he remembered the red-headed Irish kid well.

"He rode all day, all day, all day,'' said Achenbach. "He wasn't scared to push it either, which is pretty awesome.

"I guess there was a reason I remembered him.''

White has since become the best known snowboarder in the world.

This, despite the fact that he has had two heart operations before he was one to overcome birth defects.

White fondly remembers those trips North to find snow from Carlsbad, California well.

"We would just camp because we couldn't really afford the hotels and everything,'' White told The Canadian Press. "We'd be camping and there's bears everywhere and it was just amazing - I was blown away.''

White is a genius on the snowboard.

Last month, he stunned his opponents by showing off his latest trick - the Double McTwist 1260 - in competition.

"It was unbelievable - it's a trick that I didn't even imagine I was going to be able to do,'' White said.

YouTube videos showing White's Double McTwist drew more than 400,000 hits in four days.

"It's sick,'' said Justin Lameroux, a Canadian competitor . "It's the sickest pipe trick I've ever seen.''

Canadian halfpipe coach Tom Hutchinson says White is well nigh unbeatable.

"Not only is he great, and he's been great, he works harder than everybody else,'' Hutchinson said.

"He'll be riding all day and then he'll come down and he'll hit the gym or he'll go and skateboard for hours and that. He lives skateboarding and snowboarding.

"If he has his perfect run, will anybody beat him? No.''