Owner: On The Ditch URL:http://www.ontheditch.net Join Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 04:55:34 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Irish sportsblog - users can register and submit news and stories of their own. Site statistics:Click here
Dragons drop racism charges 2007-03-01 11:24:11 The Irish Times [subs req'd] reports that the Newport Gwent Dragons
have dropped their complain of racist remarks against Ulster: A statement issued yesterday on behalf of the Celtic League read: "Ulster Rugby has confirmed to both Newport Gwent Dragons and Celtic Rugby that they have thoroughly investigated this matter and have not been able to substantiate the claims made."Ulster Rugby acknowledges that there is no place whatsoever in our game for racial abuse or abuse of any kind and have taken the allegations made very seriously."This has included reviewing all available television, video and CCTV footage; obtaining reports from the referee; conducting interviews with touch judges, event management staff and stewards, members of the Ulster Rugby Supporters Club, members of the Ulster match team and medical staff, and the PSNI officer in charge of the venue. Ulster Rugby has reported that these inquiries have not been able to substantiate the claims made."Ulster went on to point ou
U21s in action 2007-03-01 11:24:11 The Republic of Ireland's U21 team played Slovakia in the Madeira invitational tournament last night, and got their campaign off to a winning start, with a goal from substitute Kieran Murphy being the difference between the two sides.FAI match report
Munster name squad 2007-03-01 11:24:11 Trevor Halstead, John Kelly and John O'Sullivan are all returning to the Munster
squad to face Cardiff in their upcoming Magners League.
The forgotten province 2007-03-01 11:24:11 While all Ireland celebrates the record breaking win over England, and ponders what might have been against France, Knock On wonders about the forgotten province of Irish rugby, Connacht.However at Magners league level it’s a different scenario as the ridiculously under-funded and criminally neglected provincial side struggle gamefully on with just one fit international in their ranks. That is compared with an average of 13 per team in the rest of the league. The more cynical Connacht fans are beginning to wonder if this is all part of a master plan.It’s time to start talking sense. Instead of spinning positives week in week out why don’t Management and officials turn the spotlight on the key source of the problem. The IRFU’s shoddy treatment of Connacht in terms of a budget and their shameful silence as our fellow Irish provinces tap up young Connacht talent and offer nothing in return.
O'Connor headed back to Connacht 2007-03-01 11:24:11 Wasps flanker Johnny O'Connor
looks set to be returning to Connacht
at the start of the next season after signing a two year deal with the province. A number of other signings for Connacht are expected to be announced, as they bid to become more than just a development side, including at least one other former player now playing in the Guinness Premiership.
GPA scholarships 2007-03-01 11:24:11 The GPA have announced details of their annual scholarship programmeA total of 64 scholarships are being granted to third level students nationwide, making the GPA awards the largest GAA scheme of its kind in the country.LinkClub Energise Sport is the official sports drink of the GPA and money from every bottle sold goes directly to the players and the GPA - to date approximately €1.5million has been given directly to the GPA from Club Energise.Link
Connacht Squad V Borders 2007-03-01 11:24:11 In their first home game for a while Connacht
will play the Borders
this Friday in the Magners League. The 22 man squad is without captain John Fogarty as he is out injured. Read more:Squad
Ulster squad V Scarlets 2007-03-01 11:24:11 This weekend sees a return to Magners League action for the provinces, and Ulster
will be travelling to Stradey Park to face the Llanelli Scarlets
, with four of the six Ulster Internationals available to McCall.Scrumhalf Isaac Boss, who ran in the fourth try against England, will join back up with the squad alongside fellow Irish substitutes Andrew Trimble, Simon Best and Paddy WallaceLink
ROI U21 V Maderia 2007-03-01 11:24:11 The Republic of Ireland U21s played their second game in the Madeira Invitational Tournament, and had to come from behind to secure the draw. Two gaols from Millwall's Gaynor ensured that the team remain unbeaten after two matches. And if they win against Portugal on Friday they will win the competition.
High Performance group 2007-03-03 09:56:30 The IRFU have announced the formation of a select group of rugby players to form their PricewaterhouseCoopers ‘High Performance
Select Group’ (HPSG), which aims to to introduce the provincial players to the structures and levels of performance of the Ireland national team with a view to transitioning them into the squad for international selection as and when they are needed.
Connacht's new signings 2007-03-03 09:56:30 Connacht have confirmed that Johnny O'Connor will be returning to their squad, and have also announced that Irish international Gavin Duffy will also be back in the Connacht squad.Both players left Connacht for London in the summer of 2003 with O’Connor moving to Wasps and Duffy joining NEC Harlequins.O’Connor will be returning on a two-year deal for the start of next season, but Duffy’s return will be more immediate — he will be back training with his former side on Monday and will be available for selection for the Magners League clash against Leinster on March 23. Read more:Connacht
, signings
Longford lodge complaint 2007-03-03 09:56:30 Longford County Board have lodged a complaint about the fielding of Offaly's Ken Casey in their Allianz National Football League last weekend. Casey had received a 4 week ban after being sent off in an U21 match two weeks ago, but as this is a different competition, Offaly felt that the ban didn't apply.If it is decided that he was ineligible then Casey could face a lengthy ban and Offaly could lose the point awarded for their draw.
Connacht V Borders 2007-03-04 10:00:19 This was a match Connacht
really had to win, facing bottom of the table Border Reivers, and at home for the first time in many games. Conditions at The Sportsground were far from ideal, but Connacht pulled off the win, with a late try by Matt Lacey. Final score: Connacht 20-17 Borders
Munster V Cardiff 2007-03-04 10:00:19 Munster were without the majority of their big names, and it showed in their Magners League clash with Cardiff
, as they lost 19-12 in a very mediocre match that was dominated by mistakes and errors. Still, they managed tos secure a losing point by finishing within 7 points of the winners, and Eoghan Hickie can be happy enough with his display. Read more:Munster
QUB V UUJ - Sigersun Cup final 2007-03-04 10:00:19 This was the tightest of games, with rarely more than a point separating the two teams. Even the final whistle couldn't separate them, they needed extra time after the regulation period ended in a draw,Final Score: Queens University Belfast 0-15 University of Ulster Jordanstown 0-15
No War for Gold Cup 2007-03-05 11:24:18 War of Attrition has been ruled out of this year's Gold Cup
after damaging a leg in a routine training run. He will now be out for the rest of the season.
NHL Div 3 Round up 2007-03-05 11:24:18 All results from the GAA website: NHL 3A Donegal 1-11 Louth 1-12 Leitrim 0-10 Monaghan 0-7 NHL 3B: Cavan 1-9 Tyrone 2-23 Roscommon 1-15 Longford 2-7 Read more:NHL Div
Llanelli V Ulster 2007-03-05 11:24:18 Ulster extended their losing streak away to Llanelli over the weekend, but they did manage to secure the losing bonus point in a match that ended Llanelli Scarlets 17 - 11 Ulster. And with Isaac Boss being forced out of the game after only 18 minutes Eddie O'Sullivan has called up Wasps scrum-half Eoin Redden as cover. Read more:Ulster
NHL Div 2 Round-Up 2007-03-05 11:24:18 All results and further details can be found on the GAA websiteDiv 2A: Wicklow 2-12 Laois 1-12 Derry 2-13 Armagh 0-9 Carlow v Meath - POSTPONEDDiv 2B: Westmeath 2-13 Kildare 1-16 Mayo 2-13 Kerry 1-8 Read more:NHL Div
Gold for Gillick 2007-03-05 11:24:18 David Gillick retained his indoor 400m title in Birmingham, with a thrilling finish and a new national record.In all, thirteen Irish athletes competed, and although Gillick's was the only medal winner, the performances were nothing short of amazing as there were high standards all round, with a number of national records being set: SATURDAY: Men's 60 metres, heat 1: 2 P Hession, 6.61 (national record). Semi-final: 4 P Hession 6.64, qualified for final.Men's 400 metres final: 1 D Gillick 45.52 seconds (national record, European leader). Men's 800 metres semi-final 1: 4 D McCarthy 1:49.37 (personal best); Semi-final 2: 5 T Chamney 1:50.48.Men's 1,500 metres: Heat 1: 10 G Turnbull 3:52.20; Heat 2: 4 J Nolan 3:43.24 (qualified for final); 9 L Reale 3:47.94.Men's 3,000 metres final: 6 A Cragg 8:03.70.SUNDAY: Men's 60 metres final: 7 P Hession 6.68. Men's 1,500 metres final: 7 J Nolan 3:46.34. Women's 3,000 metres final: 7 M Cullen 9:00.42.
NHL 1B Round-Up 2007-03-05 11:24:18 Kilkenny's unbeaten run came to an end against Tipperary, as hard-fought 3-13 to 2-13 win for Tipp leaves the cats 2nd from the bottomMeanwhile, Galway's unbeaten record has been maintained, as they overpowered Limerick to win 0-17 to 1-9 at the Gaelic Grounds
Immigration crack-down hits New York hurling 2007-03-05 11:24:18 The New York
GAA board have withdrawn from the upcoming Guinness Ulster SHC because of downturn in player numbers and a lack of competitiveness. Hurling in New York is said to be on the brink of extinction following tighter immigration laws and a lack of an underage structure Read more:hurling
NHL 1A round-up 2007-03-05 11:24:18 Offaly took on Down at Birr, and managed to secure their first win of the season. Final Score: 4-18 to 1-11 in wet and windy conditions.Cusack Park, Ennis saw saw Wexford overcome Clare; 1-12 to 1-10 Clare remain top of the table. Read more:round
Ex-Bohs star named the Championship's player of the month for February. 2007-03-05 11:24:18 Stephen Ward, the former Bohemians player
who joined Mick McCarthy's Wolves team over the winter, was the February
player of the month in the English Championship. Scoring three goals in five games over the month, Ward has quickly adapted to life in England's second division, and has played a big part in Wolves recent good form, which has seen them take 13 points from a possible 15. Link[Submitted by jjcarroll] Read more:named
Linfield V Glentoran 2007-03-06 12:08:23 The weather certainly had an effect on this Setanta Sports Cup match between Linfield and Glentoran, as rain wind made for difficult conditions. In the end Linfield probably came away the happier; despite going ahead first.Final Score: Linfield 1 - 1 Glentoran
Ireland give SA a scare 2007-03-06 12:08:23 Cricket: In their world cup warm-up match Ireland
gave favourites South Africa a scare before a late recovery gave South Africa the victory. South Africa 192 beat Ireland 157 by 35 runs; scorecard
Dungannan Swifts V Portadown 2007-03-06 12:08:23 A controversial late goal secured a draw for Swifts in their Setanta Sports Cup match against Portadown. Final score: 2-2
Keane's success 2007-03-06 12:08:23 The BBC on Roy Keane
's Sunderland success:Recently retired as a player - and totally unproven as a manager - Keane seemed a surprising choice as a saviour given his rocky relationship with his former Republic of Ireland team-mate.That choice now looks inspired.
Sligo manager walks 2007-03-08 08:11:11 Just days before the new league kicks off and Sligo
Rovers are without a manager
after Rob McDonald left the club.Sligo Rovers have parted company with manager Rob McDonald.An official statement from the club's management committee this morning confirmed the club accepted McDonalds resignation at a board meeting last night.McDonald told Sligo Rovers chairman of his decision on Sunday evening but declined the offer to reconsider.The former Newcastle United player told his first team squad of his decision yesterday morning before training.Coaches Dessie Cawley and Leo Tierney took the second training session yesterday afternoon and will be in charge when Rovers begin their 2007 season away to Galway United on Friday night.Link Read more:walks
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