April 2008 Archives

Speculation is mounting that current Munster boss Declan Kidney will succeed Eddie O' Sullivan as Irish International rugby coach.

Kidney was assistant to O'Sullivan from 2000 until 2004, including Rugby World Cup 2003, where he had responsibility for the backs.

However, it was decided after the competition Kidney was surplus to requirements.

Ironically, one of the findings from the recent Genesis report into Ireland's poor performance at Rugby World Cup 2007 was that Ireland should have a specialist backs coach and dedicated team manager.

After the incidents seen on the streets of London, Paris and San Francisco over the past week when the Olympic Torch was targetted as a beacon of Chinese oppression many wonder if we'll see more trouble when the games take place in August.

Understandably so anti-Chinese groups and pro-Tibetan groups were passionate in their protests but in reality they were damp squibs which the television cameras lapped up.

No country has as yet boycotted the Olympics though some heads of state will not attend the opening ceremony.

In China the protests hardly made the newspapers as close Governmental control focussed on the positive side of the torch run.

Controlling what Chinese citizens see from abroad is achievable but what will the Chinese Government do if trouble errupts on the streets of Beijing?

This week a Hong Kong based pro-Chinese newspaper said "Al Qaeda, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and Tibetan Youth Congress are all planning to make the Beijing Olympic Games the target of terror attacks, and have strengthened collusion and collaboration."

But are we to buy these claims or are they a smokescreen thrown up by the Chinese Government?

The irony certainly wouldn't be lost on Manchester City fans. With victory over Chelsea at the City Of Manchester stadium on Saturday they could well set United on their way to yet another Premiership throne.

Should they take all points off the Londoners and United win at Middlesbrough on Sunday then the gap between Chelsea and the Red Devils would be a massive eight points.

Whats more likely though is that Arsenal will return to winning ways against Liverpool at the Emirates in Saturdays early kick off narrowing the gap to three points before United travel to Middlesbrough.

A win by Middlesbrough would set the cat among the pigeons though meaning next weekend's clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford could well dictate where the Premiership trophy goes.

With three sides very much left in the race to capture the title the 2007/08 league run-in has become one of the most exciting since the new Premiership format was launched at the start of the 1992/93 season.

The bookies are still convinced that Sir Alex Ferguson will outsmart Messers. Wegner and Grant to capture what would be his tenth Premier League title as manager.

The latest average odds see United at 1/5, Chelsea are 4/1 and Arsenal are now 11/1.

AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL WEEKEND

It's the biggest race in the world and on Saturday Britian will come to a standstill when 41 runners and riders go to post at Aintree to fight it out for the coveted prize.

It's estimated that on average every British citizen spends £2 on the National with most punters entering bookies for their one and only time during the year.

Sweepstakes will be held today in offices and other work sites across the country with most hoping to pull the name of HedgeHunter (pictured left) out of the hat.

The Irish trained horse won the National three years ago and now nearing the end of his career many will wonder if he's to go out on a high.

At 25/1 he's an attractive price though the favourite for this year's race is Cloudy Lane and when you look at the pedigree you can see why.

With outstanding recent form, this horse is well ahead of the handicapper and has exceptional claims. Donald McCain is the trainer and it was his father who saddled the great Red Rum. The only negative is that he is unraced at Aintree.