Galway pull off one of Irish sport’s greatest upsets -- Invincible Kilkenny stopped in their tracks

Galway make hurling history

It was one of the greatest upsets in the recent history of Irish sports and the man from the Irish Times summed it up when he stated, “Astonishment and history rhymed”, giving a different twist to the Seamus Heaney line about hope and history rhyming.

Galway, unconsidered  6-1 outsiders, defeated Kilkenny, the reigning All Ireland champions, to win their first ever Leinster hurling title on a score of  Galway 2-21 Kilkenny 2-11:

Now, before hundreds of you write in saying Galway is in Connacht, yes of course it is, but for purposes of hurling, Galway migrates across to Leinster as they have no opposition in Connacht.

No opposition might also be the way everyone thought of this game. Since 1997, Kilkenny have lost exactly two games in Leinster. When they last played Galway earlier this year, they beat them by 25 points. This Galway effected a 35 point turnaround, the equivalent of being beaten by eight goals in soccer, and then beating the same opposition 3-0.

Think of the US hockey team winning the gold medal in 1980 against the mighty Russians.Think of America beating England, the cradle of the game, in soccer 1-0 in 1950 and you have some sense of the upset.

And think of the 21,000 who were present ,one of the smallest attendances ever at the Leinster hurling final because everyone believed Kilkenny were home and hosed. Here is the scene setting report form the man at TheJournal.ie before the game.

“Really bad atmosphere but at least the Artane Band create some noise as the teams line-up for their lap of the pitch. Everyone saying it might as well be a victory lap for Kilkenny and we haven’t even started. If it was anyone else that would sound arrogant, but here it seems like justified confidence. “

How wrong could everyone be?

When the game started, Galway raced to a 2-12 to 0-4 points lead and everyone just sat stunned. Kilkenny came back in the second half but never came close. The Galway fans, the few that traveled, were singing ‘The West’s Awake” long before the game ended. Awake indeed.

Sadly, you’ll always beat the Irish at soccer these days -- Lack of Diaspora players for Ireland signals the end of an era

Irish fans react to Ireland's 2-0 loss against Italy

It makes very grim readings. Ireland played three games in the European Nations Championship and lost three.

They were first to go out of the tournament, on their way home when the real games were just beginning.
Worse they conceded nine goals and scored just one.

They were outplayed, out coached, out thought in every facet of the game.

The only winners were their 30,000 supporters who charmed everyone they met and stayed faithful to the end.

Their team were the Toledo Mud Hens against the New York Yankees, the Carolina Gophers against the Boston Celtics, the ..well never mind you get the point

They were expected to have a tough time in their group with World Champions Spain, perennial contenders Italy, and up and coming Croatia.

But losing by such huge margins?

That was hardly expected.

After all they had qualified in a tough group, almost matched the Russians who won their qualifying group and had been unbeaten in 15 games before the Polish caper.

But that was the minor league and when they stepped up into the majors they completely collapsed.
There were several reasons:

They no longer are able to claim most of the talented second generation Irish from England and Scotland they used to have, players like  Ray Hougton and Tony Cascarino were the cream of the old team that regularly qualified for World Cups

British soccer authorities have gotten wise to the Irish poaching and make sure their young players are given international exposure and kept away from the Irish marauders.

The result is a lot of mediocre Irish-born players make the team.

Secondly, because of the massive foreign presence in the English premiership, this Irish team did not have one quality player from the top levels of that league, no one from Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City.

In the old days, players like Roy Keane and Paul McGrath were from the very upper echelons and performed like that.

Thirdly, Coach Giovanni Trapattoni is too old and set in his ways. Defensive football, allowing teams like Spain to play the game in your half, is a crazy tactic.

He deliberately insulted the skills of this Irish side by a negative at all costs attitude.

Many on this team remember,  played on an Irish side that lost to France narrowly and unfairly in a World Cup play off qualifier two years ago.

In that play-off game an attacking Irish side almost snatched a famous victory.

But Trap and attack bear no relationship to each other.

Rumors and stories have spread that the Irish players defied the manager to play like that back then.
It is a young man’s game , at the coaching level as well.

What Ireland needs is a new manager, an infusion of young talent and a commitment to the beautiful game more than kicking endless long balls up the field and hoping for the best.

And a bunch of English Irish kids ready to play for the old country.

I won’t hold my breath.

Graeme McDowell just misses playoff in US Open final round -- Northern Irishman, Padraig Harrington both came close

Graeme McDowell

In the end Graeme McDowell just missed a playoff for the US Open championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

It was a remarkable performance by McDowell, whose final hole 24 foot putt missed left to bring about a play-off against ultimate winner Webb Simpson.

Several times during the final round McDowell looked like he would fall out of contention but somehow kept in touch and gave himself a chance at a playoff after a gutsy birdie on the 17th.

He stood on the final tee knowing a birdie would get him a play off but his final putt came up short.

By coming so close again however, McDowell proved that his 2010 win also in California in the US Open was no fluke and he is a huge force to be reckoned with on a difficult golf course.

His performance overshadowed a fine tournament for Padraig Harrington who finished only two shots behind and raised hopes that at last he might be able to compete for his fourth major tournament again.

Last year it looked like the old order would be swept away when Rory McIlroy galloped to victory in the same major.

However, the Northern Ireland teen has been plagued by inconsistency since and tabloid allegations he is spending too much time with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

Graeme McDowell says he's proud Irish and Protestant

Graeme McDowell has addressed the issue of whether he is Irish or British, which has become a big talking point after his U.S. Open victory.

Here is what he said a few days ago.

(If you are more confused than ever join the club.)

"Mum's a Catholic, Dad's a Protestant, I was brought up Presbyterian but ... I'm Irish.

"Yes, I sit on the fence but why not? There's no right or wrong answer. I'm always going to upset someone, so why not sit on the fence?" he is quoted as saying on CBS sports.

Fair answer but it is a story that bedevils every Northern Ireland sportsman and even some from the south.

Barry McGuigan was as Irish as could be from Monaghan in the Irish Republic but hilariously often appeared at fights with a United Nation flag.

McDowell's Northern Irish teammate Rory McIlroy was born a Catholic but carries a British passport.

And so it goes.

McDowell is just the latest to have to negotiate those choppy waters of identity and background.

I wish him luck.

To those who say it doesn't matter just consider the 30 year war recently concluded in Northern Ireland. Idenity was at the heart of it.

So McDowell is doing the right thing.

Originally published in 2010.

Giovanni Trapattoni has to go as Irish soccer manager -- Dreadful display against Spain in European Championship is the last straw

Giovanni Trapattoni and the Republic of Ireland team

Read more: Ireland's European Championship dream annihilated at the hands of Spain

Giovanni Trapattoni led the Irish soccer team into the Valley of Death at these European Championships and now needs to fall on his own sword.

At 73 the quiet places beckon for the Italian who did a decent job getting Ireland to the European finals but has completely lost the plot now.

To say Ireland were unimaginative, lacking in creativity, defensive, boring and pure shite is the truth of the matter.

Trapattoni is on record as saying if you want creativity go to La Scala or Madison Square Garden.
Well if you want mediocrity leave Trap in charge of your team.

He has coached all creativity out of these players, left them the worst side at these European finals.
A few years back things seemed different. He created a good side that almost beat France in Paris to advance to the World Cup.

On that night it was a very good and killed and creative Irish side.

Indeed, we only saw one glimpse of that when they fell behind to Croatia and came powering back to one all playing good football.

The minute they equalized they fell back on the old defensive ways however and were hockeyed.
The Spanish game was embarrassing.

Okay, they are world champions but they still could have been challenged far more effectively by a team that gave some semblance of an attacking threat rather than played like entering the opponent’s half was a crime.

Ireland needs a new start for the upcoming world cup qualifying.

Trapattoni must go.

Read more: Ireland's European Championship dream annihilated at the hands of Spain

Dullahan to win Belmont in absence of I’ll Have Another -- Connections get luck of the Irish with favorite’s defection

Dullahan to win Belmont

The defection of I’ll Have Another is a real body blow to racing and to the millions of fans who were looking forward to a Triple Crown winner after 35 years.

It will be Hamlet without the prince at Belmont tomorrow, but it will still be a helluva race, thrown wide open by the absence of the Triple Crown pretender.

Dullahan, named after a Celtic god of Mythology and owned by Jerry Crawford of Donegal Stables, will be the favorite at 9/5 or so.

He worked in a very impressive manner earlier this week and finished like a train in the Kentucky Derby, so the mile and a half distance should suit him.

The knock against Dullahan is that he is really a turf horse, or a polytrack horse, and is far more effective on those surfaces than dirt. His best race ever was in the Bleu Grass stakes over the polytrack in Keeneland, so there are still questions about him on dirt.

Paynter is trained by Bob Baffert, so that automatically makes him a contender. He has early speed which will see him prominent early on and there are no better speed riders than Mike Smith, who has a clock in his head and is very familiar with Belmont from his years riding there.

The other big contender is Union Rags from the Michael Matz stable, aka known as Barbaro’s trainer. He was the winter favorite for the Derby after a massive two-year-old year, but has disappointed this year badly with poor breaks in both the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby costing him any chance.

Under new jockey John Velazquez, he should certainly get out of the gate, and if he runs back to his two-year-old form, he will run them very close.

My selection is Dullahan because of that amazing 45 and change workout over the Belmont strip earlier this week. His class and closing kick should give him the victory given that Paynter and a few others will set a contested pace.

Dullahan, followed by Paynter and Union Rags, with the inexperienced but talented outsider Unstoppable U to complete the superfecta, are my choices.

Kevin Kilbane described how Giovanni Trapattoni cold-bloodedly ended his international career

Giovanni Trapattoni

Despite being capped over 100 times for Ireland, Kevin Kilbane was let go from the squad in a 30 second phone call by Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

Kilbane recalled his surprise this weekend in the Daily Mail after Wolves player Kevin Foley was deeply angry at similar treatment from Trap.

“Giovanni Trapattoni ended my Republic of Ireland career with a 30-second phone-call. And when he called Kevin Foley into the room to end his Euro 2012 dream, it will have taken just as long.
And he will not have expected all the fuss and furor," Kilbane wrote.

‘For him, it was a purely football decision and one that was best for the team and Ireland and the reason why he is paid the money he is paid.

I was fit for the play-off games against Estonia in November, although I must admit I would have been struggling.

But I was available for selection when Giovanni named his team.

Then I got a call from the manager that week. It lasted 30 seconds.

He came across as quite cold and methodical and the language barrier doesn't help because he got to the point and had nothing else to add.

He just said I am not considering you for the play-offs and that was it.

And that is Giovanni.

He has no favorites, nobody he would see as special. It wouldn't mean anything to him how experienced you are, how many caps you have, the whole consecutive games thing.

I was a player and a commodity and if I am not available to him, not in his thoughts, I am no use to him.
I didn't expect to be treated any differently, and I really mean that, but it did feel heartless at the time and it did hurt. But that's him and that's his way of dealing with players.
It is his job."

Doug O’Neill’s horse, I’ll Have Another, to confirm Derby placing with Bodemeister and win Preakness

Doug O’Neill’s horse, I’ll Have Another

Doug O’Neill, the 44-year-old Californian Irish American, will be looking to take the next step into the history books on Saturday when his colt, I’ll Have Another, steps into the starting stalls for the Preakness the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Despite winning the Kentucky Derby I’ll Have Another will not even start favorite for the Pimlico classic, which will be shown live on NBC.

That honor goes to Bodemeister who came second in the Derby but was compromised by a poor ride by jockey Mike Smith who went off like the hammers from hell and went too fast to last all the way on the lead.

The general belief is that Bodemeister will set a slower pace on Saturday and that will help him last.

But Pimlico is a much deeper track than Churchhill Downs which may not suit Bodemeister quite as much. In addition he has far fewer runs and less experience than I’ll Have Another and may be feeling the effects of his hectic Derby pace.

A well priced outsider is Went the Day Well, the horse bred  by New York Irish lawyer JP Delaney and ridden by John Velasquez who is son in law of Irish trainer Leo O’Brien.

Went the Day Well was hampered and came running late in the Derby and will be hoping for a better trip on Saturday.

I think I’ll Have Another will defy the favorite backers and confirm his form at Kentucky and defeat Bodemeister. I expect Went the Day Well to be second and Bodemeister to finish third. Pick creative Cause fifth at Churchhill Downs for fourth.

The one angle that works most years is that Kentucky Derby form holds up remarkably well at the Preakness. Given that sticking with those who want well at Kentucky on Derby Day can pay off with a nice dividend.

Rory McIlroy defeats Tiger Woods for number one rank in golf -First Irishman to be ranked number one in the world VIDEO

Rory McIlroy

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy (22) defeated Tiger Woods’ late charge at the US PGA Tour’s Honda Classic to claim the title of number one golfer under the Official World Golf Ranking, which will be officially released tomorrow.

Golf.com writes that McIlroy had to manage a late surge from Tiger Woods, who was fighting to retain his number one ranking which he had held for a staggering 623 weeks. Though the pressure was certainly on, McIlroy proved himself by ultimately beating out Woods.

Heading into the Honda Classic, which was played in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, McIlroy was ranked second in the world.

With his new ranking, McIlroy is the first Irishman to be ranked as number one, but the fourth consecutive European. In 2010, Tiger Woods lost his number one ranking to England's Lee Westwood, making Woods the last American player to hold the prized ranking.

McIlroy is also only the second youngest player to ever achieve the honor of first place, with Woods still hanging on to that title as youngest. At today’s tournament, Woods had the lowest final round score of his career.

"First and foremost it's just great to win this tournament," said McIlroy.

"It was tough today, especially seeing Tiger make a charge. I knew par would probably good enough today, that's what I was trying to do."

Watch when Rory McIlroy officially wins the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic:

Ireland avoid defeat to France and tie 17-17 -- unlucky not to win

Ireland avoided defeat in Paris when they tied France 17 -17 in their rugby international clash on Sunday.

The game had been rescheduled after originally being canceled because of weather conditions in Paris in February.

It was only the second time in four decades that Ireland avoided defeat away to France.

Yet, despite the good result, Ireland will rue missed chances, especially in the second half when they failed to score to capitalize on their 17-6 half time lead.

Several times down close to the French line they made basic mistakes and turned over the ball.

The game ended on a thrilling note with France attacking in extra time and a last ditch Irish tackle forcing the ball out of play.

Ireland's hero was winger Tommy Bowe, (pictured), who scored two spectacular tries the first interception, the second a great individual effort.

Also outstanding for Ireland were full back Rob Kearney and outhalf Jonathan Sexton.

Ireland have now beaten Italy, lost to Wales and tied France. They meet England on St.Patrick's Day

Rory McIlroy's acceptance of Queen's award will raise eyebrows with some Irish Catholics

Rory McIlroy has firmly nailed his colors to the post by accepting an MBE or Member of the British Empire award in the Queen's New Year honors list.

He and fellow Northern Ireland golfer Darren Clarke have been acknowledged in similar fashion by the Queen.

As a Protestant, Clarke would certainly have been expected to accept.

As a Catholic however, McIlroy will stir some resentment in nationalist circles over accepting the award.

McIlroy has always tried to be non-political, a wise path in Northern Ireland but by accepting the OBE it shows that he is leaning much more towards a British identity than an Irish one.

Most Northern Catholics will not accept a British award from the queen, while some will take it on an honorary basis.

This will have a practical application in the Olympics in 2016 where he will surely represent Great Britain rather than Ireland in the sport which will make an Olympic comeback then.

Most people could give a fig about McIlroy's religious or political affiliation but the acceptance of the British award makes it clear that he himself considers himself primarily British.
.

End of Alex Ferguson as Manchester United crash out of European Champions league?

Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United crashing out of the European Champions league to Basel is the equivalent of the Green Bay Packers falling to 0-12 Indianapolis Colts .

They lost 2-1 to Basel and now face taking part in the Europa league, the equivalent of the bush leagues.

The loss calls into question the future of Sir Alex Ferguson who has reached the age where most managers have long since gone to some quiet place.
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This loss will confront Ferguson with the reality that he has a huge uphill task to rebuild this United team where newcomers have never replaced the now departed Ronaldo and Beckham.

It may well be a good time to quit while he is still ahead and the glory days still outnumber nights like last night.

On the domestic scene this United team will have great difficulty catching Manchester City and it would be rough indeed for Ferguson to see the premiership pass to his arch crosstown rivals.

There may never be a better time for Sir Alex to say goodbye than in the aftermath of this defeat.

Irish players say bring on world champions Spain and top team Italy in European finals

Irish players seem undaunted after drawing world champions Spain and former World Cup holders Italy in their European championship group. Croatia is the other team in the group.

"It is a tough draw. We said before privately we would have taken the host nations but we have drawn the world champions, the current holders, and to play a team like that will be fantastic,” said midfielder Keith Andrews.

“But we’ve drawn the world champions and the current holders. You know, to pit yourself against a team like that is great but the draw could have been kinder, no doubt about it. If you can’t look forward to games like that, pitting yourself against the best players, and one of the best players to have played, there’s something wrong.”

“We’ve come together nicely over the last few years as a squad, I’m sure by the time that game comes around we’ll be fully focused and aware of their strengths.”

Wolves striker, Kevin Doyle also said he was looking forward to the challenge.

“It could have been easier, it makes you realise what you’re involved in. The reigning champions, Italy, Croatia… they’re pretty decent teams. You know it’s not going to be easy but we have good confidence over the past couple of years so we fancy out chances.”

Meanwhile Italy coach Cesare Prandelli was not pleased to have drawn Ireland.

“I wanted to avoid Giovanni Trapattoni. Spain are very strong, for the first game against them we must arrive mentally prepared.”

Ireland draw Spain, Italy and Croatia in European Nations finals

Irish national team

Ireland have received a very tough draw in Group B of the European championships facing world champions Spain , Italy and Croatia.

The fixture list is as follow:

10 June 2012

Spain v Italy

Gdansk, Poland


10 June 2012

Rep of Ireland v Croatia

Poznan, Poland

14 June 2012

Italy v Croatia

Poznan, Poland


14 June 2012

Spain v Rep of Ireland

Gdansk, Poland


18 June 2012

Croatia v Spain

Gdansk, Poland


18 June 2012

Italy v Rep of Ireland

Irish 2012 World Cup schedule decided - open against Kazakhstan,Germany

Ireland gaffer Giovanni Trapattoni

Giovanni Trapattoni has welcomed Ireland's World Cup draw which begns in September 2012 with an away game against Kazakhstan.

“This is a good fixture schedule for our team with a good balance to the matches,” Trapattoni said.

“We finish the campaign at home and start with a single away match against Kazakhstan which was important given the long distances involved.

I am also happy with the balance obtained in the double headers and the timing of what we would expect to be some of the key matches in the group.
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World Cup 2014 Qualifying – Group C

* 7 September 2012: Kazakhstan v Republic of Ireland
* 12 October 2012: Republic of Ireland v Germany
* 16 October 2012: Faroe Islands v Republic of Ireland
* 22 March 2013: Sweden v Republic of Ireland
* 26 March 2013: Republic of Ireland v Austria
* 7 June 2013: Republic of Ireland v Faroe Islands
* 6 September 2013: Republic of Ireland v Sweden
* 10 September 2013: Austria v Republic of Ireland
* 11 October 2013: Germany v Republic of Ireland
* 15 October 2013: Republic of Ireland v Kazakhstan

Ireland certain to qualify for European Championship soccer finals - win 4-0

Keith Andrews celebrates his goal during the 35th minute

Check back to IrishCentral's sports section for updates. 

 Ireland has won 4-0 lead making Tuesday night's game against Estonia, in Dublin, formality.

Update -90 minutes in: 


Ireland score a forth goal. Penalty from Ireland captain Robbie Keane puts Ireland in a 4-0 lead.


Update - 86 minutes in: 

Estonia down to nine men. Skipper Raio Piiroja picks up his second yellow card.

Ireland substitution: Jonathan Walters off, Simon Cox on.

Update - 70 minutes in :

Ireland now in the lead, 3 - 0, with goals from Jonathan Walters and Robbie Keane.

Update - Half-time :

At half-time the Republic of Ireland team are in the lead against Estonia, in Tallinn, The first goal was headed into by Keith Andrews. 

Andrews, from a yard or two outside the six-year box, rose above his marker and got to the end of an Aiden McGeady cross. He planted a firm header past Sergei Pareiko. 

The Estonia team are also weakened as they are now down to ten men. 

A ball played into the feet of Robbie Keane who gets upended and Andrei Stepanov shown a second yellow and is sent off. 

Check back to IrishCentral's sports section for updates. 

Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien confident of Breeders Cup Classic success with So You Think

Irish trainer Aidan O' Brien has never won the Breeders Cup Classic but has finished second twice.

It is one of the biggest prizes in racing.

Now he thinks he may finally saddle the winner on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

He runs So You Think. an unusual horse for O'Brien to have.

The Tipperary trainer usually has the pick of the powerful Coolmore stud operation but So You Think was a hugely successful performer in Australia before he made way to Ballydoyle.

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The usually understated O'Brien stated he might be the best horse he ever trained -- quite some claim given the champions like Galileo and Giants Causeway he has handled.

"He's incredible - a different creature to what we've ever seen before,"O'Brien said after he won his first race by twelve lengths in Ireland.

However So You Think has not lived up to the hype since.

He has not run on dirt but the experts say he has a decent chance on Saturday and the odds-makers agree, having pegged him at 5/1.

O'Brien thinks Saturday's race might prove his point --and he is trying an extra trick to get So You Think focused properly.

"I'm very happy with the horse," O'Brien said. "He's a very relaxed horse in his races and sometimes can become too relaxed so we put a pair of blinkers on him just to try and make him concentrate a little bit more."

"We think we are going to be positive because he travels so well in a race and then he keeps rolling.

"From his gate position, we will be positive with him.

"It looked like he had a tough race at Ascot, but when we got him on the scales at home we found he hadn't lost a kilo. I couldn't believe it.

"The boys (Coolmore) have said he might race on next year and obviously if he does I would be very pleased.

"If he hits the gate, we won't be holding him back.

"We think he's a great traveler through his races, he's tactically sharp and he's a very mature, seasoned horse.

"We've always thought the world of this horse, he was a very good horse before he joined us and what makes him unique is his high cruising speed.

"Horses like that, the better the race, the better they are. We think he has the attributes you need for the Classic - a good cruising speed, he's tactically quick, he's brave but we don't know about the dirt because he hasn't run on it before."

Uncle Mo is the 5-2 odds favorite in the 1 1/4-mile Classic, the top event in American racing which goes off at 7pm New York time on Saturday night.

Second favorite is the filly Havre de Grace at 3-1 and then So You Think' followed by Flat Out at 6-1 in the field of 12 in the feature.

Here's a promotional video for the Breeder's Cup 2011: