Dare to Believe

The air buzzed with electricity, anticipation and expectation. The Munster supporters had waited a long time to have another go at the much vaunted All Blacks. Even the dogs on the street knew about the game in 1978, such was the coverage given to last night’s game over the past month. And last night gave us a reminder of just what it is that Munster rugby stands for. Dare to believe.

The famed Limerick ground could not have been officially opened by a more exciting edge-of-your-seat thriller. This was pure Munster.

For everything that has been said about Ireland last Saturday – lack of pressure on the opposition, lack of control, poor kicking, poor first up tackling, lack of ambition from deep, poor execution of chances – read the opposite for Munster last night.

This was old school. Pull on the red of Munster and play for yourself, your team members, the squad and for all who were there to watch you play. This game could easily have been played in the amateur era; such was the pride and veracity with which every tackle was made by each and every Munster player.

It might not have been the most experienced team, but this Munster team did not let the emotion of the occasion get to them. Even when the four kiwi squad members – Doug Howlett, Rua Tipoki, Lifemi Mafi and Jeremy Manning – performed the Haka before the All Blacks. Not just any team is allowed to do that.


In the first half, Niall Ronan, captain Mick O’Driscoll and Frankie O’Driscoll appeared everywhere on the pitch, wilfully taking the ball into contact – importantly retaining it – as well as in defence where they were asked to tackle their noticeably larger opposition time and again. Each time they dusted themselves down and threw their bodies on the line

Such was the pride and raw aggression shown in the first half by Munster that the debate at half-time was how long could it last.

The All Blacks had an inexperienced line-up and that showed when none of their key players took full control of the game or their possession. They sought to finish off the game before they had even managed to score.

Munster took the lead in the first half through a Paul Warwick penalty, followed by a sublime opportunist drop-goal from outside the 10 yard line. The lead did not last long. Stephen Donald, who had a poor overall game on the night, kicked a successful penalty once the All Blacks returned immediately up the pitch. But Munster still believed.

However, they began to take too much out of the ball and ran from too deep. And they were punished. Three minutes after his penalty, Donald, taking one of his team’s first chances, broke through the Munster defence to score under the posts. But the All Blacks could still not properly wrest control of the game away from the inspired Irish province and only looked likely to score on the break.

Munster persevered and from a five yard scrum, Peter Stringer broke to the blind side to find himself inexplicably with a two-on-one and he successfully put Barry Murphy away, while shipping a heavy challenge, for their first try.

13-10 at half-time. But with so many of their players apparently out on their feet, the test of nerves in the second half was sure to test even the hardiest of supporters. But then this is Munster we are talking about. Expect the unexpected. Dare to believe. As their sponsors so often say, Impossible is Nothing.

And for thirty four minutes of the second half, every Munster supporter in the sold out crowd dared to believe. Munster repelled attack after attack. Then with the ball in hand ran directly at the All Blacks with a conviction that was sorely missed in Croke Park last Saturday.

All Blacks coach started to make changes after only ten minutes of the second half, but he only sent on the less experienced substitutes. But the sign that world’s best team was worried came on seventy minutes when Mils Muliana and Brad Thorn were sent on to add some experience to the team.

Earlier, Warwick was successful with another penalty, which was cancelled out by Donald. However, it only took Muliana four minutes to make an impact. The sign of the world’s top teams is that they can control enough of the game to create the chance to win.

The All Blacks rarely created cohesive attacks, possibly only two in each half. But most importantly they scored from one in each half. Stringing a number of powerful runners from the base of rucks, Number eight Liam Messam one of the few shining lights, Muliana received a pass which took out one too many Munster defenders and he was able to release Joe Rokocoko who beat Howlett on his inside shoulder. Donald failed with the conversion and with only four minutes on the clock Munster still believed. But this time is wasn’t to be.

When the final whistle went, almost all the Munster team were frozen to the spot, with barely an ounce of energy to move. Many were tears. This game meant that much to them.

The All Blacks only beat the European Champions by two points. It should never have been that close. All logical pointed to a facile victory to the World’s number one team having sustained an initial spirited front up attack. But then again this is Munster we’re talking about. They don’t believe in logic. They dare to believe.

Another Kidney twist

And so how much Irish coach Declan Kidney actually learn from the drubbing given to Canada by his first selection last weekend?

Judging by his selection for this Saturday’s not too much but only a few players managing to make that lasting impression. Much has been made of the fact that of last weekend’s starting line-up, only four finished in the same position. And while the coaching staff may have been trying out different options, in the end it did not appear to sway the selection strategy for this weekend’s game against Ireland’s bogey team, New Zealand.

The two changes made in the back-line, Girvan Dempsey starting at full-back and Tómas O’Leary at scrum-half, are the only two of this weekend’s team who took no part in Thomond Park against Canada. These two are also selections, along with the selection of the back row that would have most caused Kidney selection issues.

While Keith Earls immediately impressing on his international debut, New Zealand is not the team to throw him in against for his second start, and his demotion to the bench was always likely. However that did not clearly identify Kidney’s preferred full back. Rob Kearney, selected on the wing, has continued to impress both for Ireland and Leinster but has had limited exposure this season at Number 15. Geordan Murphy and Kearney’s Leinster colleague Girvan Dempsey were the other options available. The Leinster man won out and despite turning 33 this year, Dempsey’s continued sublime reading of a game has seen him excel in this era of the ELVs.

O’Leary’s swift elevation to Ireland’s starting scrum half has only been usurped by the progress of Earls. Kidney made the tough decision of starting O’Leary ahead of Peter Stringer during last year’s Heineken Cup and while the new man has not started yet for Ireland, the coach has again shown the confidence in the player to start him against the All Blacks. His defensive abilities and physical presence deemed more suitable, giving him the edge over incumbent Eoin Reddan, who reverts to the bench. Stringer who impressed as a substitute against Canada is not included in the match 22.



The man, so long the playing partner of O’Gara, must not lose heart for his exclusion just yet. The same must be said for Murphy. Malcolm O’Kelly was one of the first culled from the training squad two weeks ago however he was recalled to the squad this week. Kidney picks on form, so all three should not fear their international careers are over just yet.

Stephen Ferris and Shane Jennings were two players who had most to gain against Canada last weekend. Ferris won the man of the match award but is unlucky not to make this weekend’s starting line-up. Jennings had the chance to pit himself against the world’s best number seven this weekend, but his performance last weekend was not enough to remove Ireland’s regular number seven, David Wallace. Ferris, who has had limited game time this year, loses his place to the outstanding blindside of this season, Alan Quinlan but provides Kidney with plenty of options if plan A does not work. Rory Best starts ahead of Jerry Flannery at hooker.

So for those selected must perform as they have not done for more than a year. Croke Park February 2007 against England is a long time ago. And then they must beat the only team that they have never beaten. Played 21. Lost 20. Drawn 1. O’Driscoll’s 50th time as captain could not be marked better than with that elusive victory.

Last weekend’s selection provided much cause for thought. However, such was the paucity of the opposition, Kidney was not in a position to learn too much from the victory. However, those selected against the All Blacks are well aware that the coach will cull as required.

In the end it may have been the players who were given more to think about after last weekend’s match than the coach. And maybe that was always the aim. Let’s hope Kidney’s aims are reached on Saturday.

Kidney up to his tricks again

Declan Kidney’s first team announcement has been long in coming since his appointment in May. Much had been anticipated about this selection as much as an indication of how his team would play.

While the Cork-man could have taken much enjoyment from his arrival at the top table of Irish rugby, such is the man’s nature he will simply now want to get on with the job.

The message was already sent out during the week that no sentimentality will affect this team. While Malcolm O’Kelly has continued to confound the critics by playing out of his skin for Leinster, that was not enough for his inclusion and was cut from the squad last Friday.

In the run-in to today’s selection Kidney, well aware of the pitfalls of any failure in the next three games, had stated that he was not going to meddle too much with the team. Too much relied upon these games to experiment.

And yet, it cannot be expected that the team which starts on Saturday in Thomond Park will start against the All Blacks one week later in Croke Park. However, the chance is now there for a number of players to assert their claims for a starting place against New Zealand.

Keith Earls’ first senior selection at full back is perhaps the most surprising, but not wholly unexpected. His excellent form for Munster has shown that he has the talent to step up to the next level. He must now take his chance if he hopes to be included against the All Blacks or the Pumas a week later.

With Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey both omitted, the message from the coach may well be that he is looking forward and not back. However, he may also be providing new players and partnerships with the opportunity to prove their worth. Kidney knows what Rob Kearney, who has been selected on the wing, can do from full back. Equally he knows what Dempsey offers. Earls may only get one chance to prove his worth at number 15 for this season.

Tony Buckley in the front row and Stephen Ferris in the back row are also somewhat surprise inclusions; most notably due to the lack of game-time the two have under their belts this year for Munster and Ulster, respectively. Both now have the opportunity to repay the manager’s confidence in them by turning in performances on Saturday.

Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip finish off the back row. Jennings is Ireland’s best ground-hog open-side and if Ireland are to win against the All-Blacks, they must stop Ritchie McCaw at the break-down. But he needs to perform against Canada first. But even then that may not guarantee his selection ahead of David Wallace.

The most exciting selection is the centre partnership of captain Brian O’Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald. Originally selected for the first summer test before Fitzgerald returned home injured, the two have started to prosper as a partnership for Leinster. Now is the chance to test it at the top level.

The mix of the experienced and new in Kidney’s first selection appears, at first look, to have a good balance. Enough experienced players to take responsibility alongside a good mix of younger players to bring a new dimension to the team. Let’s hope this is a sign of things to come.

Let the games begin

According to Paul Azinger, Nick Faldo is a “prick”. While Seve Ballesteros, once described the American team as “11 nice guys and Paul Azinger”. But all the fighting and shouting is almost at an end as the players will take centre stage and shine. Almost since the two captains were appointed, they have been going hammer and tongs at each other.

Much was made of Faldo’s wild card selections and his omission of the in-form Darren Clarke. That must now all be left behind and the 12 European players present at Valhalla must be allowed to concentrate on the task at hand.

In contrast to Faldo, who had a number of options available to him when choosing his wild cards, Azinger was not so lucky. The US captain delayed his selections in the hope of some in-form players shining following the USPGA Championship. None did and he chose his four wild cards based on the rankings rather anything more inspiring.

On the face of it, much is in the European’s favour. They have four rookies while the US team have six. Padraig Harrington is the only European Major winner. The US have four. Harrington has won three of the last six Majors. The last time a member of the US team won one was 2006 – Phil Mickelson at the Masters.

Oh and the US team are missing World No.1 Tiger Woods who is absent due to injury. He will also not make an appearance at Valhalla. And while the TV networks and sponsors might not be overly pleased with this, Azinger and his team will most likely be quietly happy with this decision. Any appearances by the World No.1 at Valhalla would take from the American team and their tough task of seeking to stem the flow of recent European wins.

But there is not doubt that Woods will not be losing any sleep about not being able to tog out in the US colours at Valhalla. He simply doesn’t do team golf. It goes against everything he his strived for. Ryder Cups ultimately count for nothing. As Woods has said before, “how many people remember Nicklaus’ Ryder Cup record?” Enough said.

Previously, this blog spoke about his non-appearance being a positive for the American team, but without natural leaders in the team – can you see Phil Mickelson really try to gee the up his team-mates in the locker room before Friday’s start – it is hard to see where the US team will get their leadership from. There is too much of an impression that they are an unlikely group of individuals.


Harrington. Lee Westwood. Sergio Garcia. All three are the senior players of the European team. Three, who their team-mates – rookies and non-rookies – will all be easily approached to provide guidance, assistance and quiet words if, and when, required. The European team simply gel more easily and play for each other in a much more natural manner. However, don’t expect Harrington and Garcia to play together.

Recently, Ballesteros was hoping the US would win in Valhalla: “I see the Ryder Cup getting very boring because we are beating them so badly. Everybody is losing interest. My heart is always with the Europeans, but my head is with the Americans for the good of the trophy.”

The enigmatic Spaniard’s opinions may have changed of late, but more than the good wishes of Ballesteros will be required for the US team to win for the first time since the battle of Brookline.

Three of this year’s American team were part of that battle. Who’s to say the Azinger will not seek to rekindle that fighting spirit in deepest Kentucky to lead his team to victory at Valhalla. Don’t put the hammer and tongs away just yet.

Kerry. Kerry. Kerry.

Talk in the Kingdom about the three-in-a-row but there is only one real story that has dominated this year’s GAA Football Championship. Paul Galvin. He has been this year’s GAA story. Full stop. From the minute he was sent off against Clare, right up to the throw-in of Sunday’s All-Ireland final, barely a week has gone by that an update story on the Kerry captain has not appeared in the media.

When made captain of the Kerry team this year, many an eye-brow was raised. While the Finuge-man’s commitment to the green and gold has never been questioned as well as the additional intensity he has brought to the team’s success over the past two years, the question of discipline has always been bubbling under the surface.

While Galvin played in the 2005 final when The Kingdom were beaten by Sunday’s opponents, Tyrone, the style of play undertaken by Kerry since, and Galvin in particular, has changed dramatically. Such was the dominance of Ulster football and the increasing dominance of the blanket defence so well used by Tyrone and Armagh, Jack O’Connor, the then Kerry manager, knew he had to adapt the game-plan.

As the Kerry game evolved, Galvin’s new role in the team was not roundly welcomed by critics of Kerry football and their beautiful game. Think Dunga playing for Brazil. Think Kevin Maggs playing for Ireland. There is nothing pretty about their style, but they are effective and fit into the overall game plan of the team.

Galvin is the Ulster-style footballer, playing for Kerry. He has become the enforcer. The hard nut. He wins the dirty ball, swims in waters where others feared to tread. And his increased responsibility within the Kerry game plan over the last two years has been pivotal to their success.

Last week Galvin’s ban ended and so the debate now centres on Pat O’Shea’s decision to start the Finuge man or not. Even without three month’s competitive football, his involvement at some stage on Sunday is not in doubt. However, can the Kerry captain get up to the speed of the game quickly enough to justify an inclusion from the start?

Inversely, when would he be introduced to the game? If Davy Harte and Philip Jordan can make hay against the Kerry defence as easily as they did in the quarter-final against Dublin, their dander will be up and a late introduction of Galvin could be a case of too little too late. But once again his ability to get up to the speed of the game may be a worry.

In three Championship games, as well as in the League final, Kerry has thrown away significant leads. Their struggle to put away teams is now a recurring and evident weakness. Having lost the upper-hand, their defenders have not been strong enough to stem the flow. Is Galvin the man who can firstly lead the Kingdom to victory once in a position to win, or if under the kosh, can he grasp the game by the scruff of the neck to wrest control back for the green and gold?

A lot will depend on his fitness. It is unlikely that he can last the 80 minutes. If he starts, can he have such an impact on the team that he can be substituted after 55 minutes and remain confident that his team-mates can finish off the deal? Or should he be brought on after 55 minutes to seal the deal?

The expectation of a three-in-a-row sits heavily on Pat O’Shea’s shoulders before he even selects his starting 15. If Kerry are to win on Sunday, O’Shea cannot afford to let Tyrone control the game. One selection could make that difference: Galvin. Galvin. Galvin.

Not quite a triathlete yet!

Having spoken for so long about my triathlon, the day quickly came and passed. But I am yet to be officially named a triathlete....

Late on Friday evening the organisers cancelled the swim section of triathlon due to health and safety issues regarding the water quality. As a result we undertook a duathlon - 1.5km run. 20km cycle. 5km run. This is not unheard of, this year’s triathlon world championships suffered a similar fate. But having concentrated so much of my training on the swim, this came as quite a disappointment.

The race started in the sun. It rained during the cycle. A strong wind blew swiftly up the Liffey. While not quite four seasons, we certainly got our fair share of them!

Was it fun? I wouldn't quite say that. Was it easy? Absolutely not. Was it mind-bending? No, but when you see the overall winner finishing the race as you only step off your bike, you do ask yourself questions!

But finishing in the top half of the competitors was acceptable. Just. 135th out of 272 competitors, in a time of 1hr 21mins33secs. Only 21 mins44secs behind the overall winner!

So I'm not a triathlete. Yet. But a bench-mark time has been set. And they're only set to be broken. As Humphrey Bogart said "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day...."

So one duathlon down. At least one triathlon still to go!

T minus 25 days

The count-down clock to my inaugural triathlon is ticking increasingly louder as, since Sunday, training has entered the last four weeks.

It would be untrue of me to say that the training has intensified, or that the sessions, which have slightly declined in number, have been harder. In truth my fitness levels have become more apparent but there is still much to do.

There is a fine line between squeezing in two sessions of each discipline a week without also trying to overdo it. If a session is missed, it’s missed. A couple double sessions took their toll very easily, leaving the body overtired and requiring additional recovery time, i.e. poor time and training management.

Patience and training quality are key to successful training.

Patience has been most prevalent in my swimming training. Having joined a swimming clubs’ twice weekly sessions, my ability to reach the (dreaded) 750 metres has become increasingly attainable and I am now much more at ease with what is required come the event. Patience will also be required when it comes to the event also though, as a steady pace will win out over my previous swimming personality who sought to swim as quickly (and badly) as possible to cover the distance. Let’s not forget that the triathlon is a test of endurance as much as anything else.

Training quality is the other key. It’s all well and good pounding the pavement for an hour and a day, but will that help you improve your speed, your technique or your enjoyment of the training? Probably not. Running or cycling training should be controlled such that you are gaining the most from it, whether you do a twenty or a sixty minute session. Quality will beat quantity almost every time.

As the days ticked off begin to outnumber the days remaining, the key to the coming weeks is to remain patient – there will be bad days – and ensure that regardless of the day or the weather a quality training session takes place. So as the clock ticks louder, so does my heart.

Chariots have reached a new low

It is often said that rugby is a thugs game played by gentlemen and football a gentlemen’s game played by thugs. And yet over the years it has oft been the footballers who have had the most scandalous of stories sprayed across the red tops. But oh how the mighty have fallen. Almost five years since winning the Rugby World Cup, and with four members of their squad being investigated for an alleged sexual assault on tour, the England team has reached a new low.

In New Zealand, a country where the rugby stars are followed and reported on as if they were Premiership footballers, a group of English players have landed themselves rightly in the mire. The line between professional rugby players and professional footballers could officially be muddied.

With their team not playing to anywhere near their potential, their new management not yet in place (I don’t pity Martin Johnson), this ship is truly rudderless. Clive Woodward ran a tight ship, but equally his players were given much responsibility and they reciprocated with respect for the manager, fellow players and most importantly the team. The shenanigans in New Zealand would not have happened under Woodward.

When Brian Ashton was not replaced following last year’s World Cup, it caused a number of difficulties for the team. Many of the senior players distancing themselves from the manager in the aftermath and it did not allow the team the opportunity to turn a new leaf. So the team made it through the Six Nations without any real conviction, despite finishing second.

The RFU have a lot to answer for. They hummed and hawed about Ashton’s position rather than simply ending his contract after the World Cup and starting anew. And so Director of Rugby, Rob Andrew, took charge of the tour to New Zealand.

For the players, the tour (as it was for all the home nations, probably two games too many at the end of a very long season) was probably not seen as a chance to impress the new management, but more a means to and end – finishing the season.

The team failed to impress during either test against the All Blacks but without proper leadership off the pitch, and not enough leaders on it (not like 2003), what more was to be expected. And so after the first test, instead of relaxing a few of the players decided to blow off a bit of steam, naively unaware of the hype that would surround their midnight escapades.

Johnson now has a job on his hands to re-build the team, re-build the public’s confidence in the team and re-build respect for his team in the international rugby arena.

The former England captain must now hope for two things. Firstly, that this is as low as they can go. And secondly, there are more gentlemen than thugs in the squad.

Another week bites the dust...

Having spent last weekend away on a stag holiday, the thoughts of resuming training last week were tough to say the least. But persevere I did.

The most vital element of the training that I have found to stand to me is that through repetition of each of the disciplines, I am gaining in confidence as well as fitness in all three.

Swimming is still my weakest discipline, but a lesson on Thursday has helped to provide better guidance in technique and the required confidence to take on the 750 metre swim in less than seven weeks time.

The course for the triathlon is thankfully reasonably flat (especially the swim!) so the additional hill-work during both cycle and running training should hopefully help on the day.

Last week I reached full race distance on all three and while I felt fine after each training session, they did take their toll. Today is the first day that I have been fatigued and will have to fight myself to go swimming training this evening. There is the additional onus on me to go as the swim session I am attending is run by the swim coach who provided me with the lesson last week. But this can only be a good thing. Honing my stroke (if I move it from awful to bad, I’ll be happy) is key to my jumping into Grand Canal dock with any confidence.

My fitness levels have definitely improved, but a lot more work is still required. The training discipline is key, I just hope I don’t have to come down on myself too hard!

US team to benefit from Tiger injury

So Tiger Woods’ knee and leg injuries have ruled him out of the rest of this year’s season and he will now miss the last two Majors of the season, the British Open and the USPGA Championship. He will also miss this year’s Ryder Cup.

A number of questions have to be asked. Firstly, why was Woods’ so determined to return to play the US Open if he was aware that his knee had not heeled as quickly as he had hoped and that he had a double stress fracture of his tibia? The gruelling five rounds it took to beat off the challenge of Rocco Mediate may well have done untold damage and the ACL operation he now has to undergo will take a long time to recover from.

Clearly the World number one had targeted the US Open for his return to full play and he did not want to let that deadline slip by, regardless of medical advice. But his actions and subsequent injuries, while not detrimental to his career, appear to have been short-sighted.

Woods’ identified the US Open as another Major he could add to the collection in his unrelenting pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ Major record. Having already won at Torrey Pines before (six times in nine outings), he may well have viewed it as an easier course to win on than possibly the British Open at Royal Birkdale or the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills.

The second question, which may well be quite easy to answer, is how must Tiger view the Ryder Cup and how will the American team play without him? This biennial event has never been something that Woods’ has on his list of achievements. He only wants to beat Nicklaus’ record. Majors are the only currency the World number one deals in.

Indeed, while this may appear to be a blow to the American team’s chances, it may also allow the team to travel to Valhalla more unified. The debate so often surrounds who will partner may be Woods. And yet, regardless his partner, he has simply not had the same influence in individual matches, let alone the overall Ryder Cup, he has simply not starred in any one of the five Ryder Cup’s he has played in to date. While sponsors and organisers will bemoan his absence, there may well be a return to the ethos of the competition as a whole – that it’s a team competition.

So with the pressure off the players, and with as determined a captain as Paul Azinger leading the team, the players may actually play as a team. With Tiger in the team, this is something that appears to have been lacking in recent years.

Don’t shout it too loudly, but without Woods in the team, the Americans have a better chance than ever to beat Europe at Valhalla this September. And not a moment too soon!

Flat out for 2009

When the idea of Rally Ireland was first thought up, there were many nay-sayers who didn’t think it could be done. They didn’t like the route. They didn’t like the Service Park location. They just didn’t like the idea of it. Full stop.

And yet with the help of people from all corners of the island, and even further afield, Rally Ireland, led by Tom Walsh, Ronan Morgan and Sean O’Connor, was ranked the second best rally in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2007. Only Rally Finland was better. And they have only been running their event for 60 years.

Rally Ireland’s success did not happen by chance. Everyone knew that if the event was to be retained in the WRC, one of the best shows in the Championship had to be put in place.

And what a show – Rally Ireland was the most watched round of the WRC last year with more than 62.8 million people tuning in to watch. That the rally was held in one of the most picturesque areas of the island (ignoring all the rain!), only added to the TV spectacle.

Starting at the Super Special in Stormont and finishing at Mullaghmore, Sligo provided a backdrop so different to the usual WRC events that it made everyone in the WRC sit up and take stock of what Rally Ireland has brought to the Championship.

And it was for that very reason that Rally Ireland was awarded the honour of kicking off the 2009 Championship replacing Monte-Carlo. They now know that a world-class event can be staged on these shores.

That world-class event is down to the hard work and dedication put into Rally Ireland 2007 by more than 2850 marshals and volunteers who gave up their time to work on the event.

But it’s not just the scale of the numbers of marshals required that is amazing. Rally Ireland 2007 used more than 82 kilometres (yes, kilometres) of rope, 15,000 posts, 3,000 metres of motorway mesh, 2,600 metal barriers (excluding Stormont, Mullaghmore and Service Park) and 1,150 rolls of tape.

Deep breath.

2,000 arrows, 1000 garbage bags, 470, whistles, 300 fire extinguishers, 250 flash lights, 200 portable toilets, 100 bales for chicanes. And all before food or accommodation for the event are even taken into consideration. The sheer scale of the event cannot be underestimated. And it is all being done again for next January.

There is only one aim for Rally Ireland 2009. To be the best rally in the world.

And just as the idea of Rally Ireland was first raised, there will again be nay-sayers dismissing the chances that this objective can be achieved.

Having already proven them wrong once, there is no reason why the organisers will not be able to prove them wrong again next January.

Woods a cut above the rest

Tiger Woods goes into a play-off with compatriot Rocco Mediate for the US Open title later today, seeking his 14th Major victory of his career. But it was nearly a case of what could have been for Rocco Mediate.

Woods had the second worst score in the Top 10 (2 over, along with Camilo Villegas and Lee Westwood). Only Geoff Ogilvy finished worse off, one shot further back.

Woods, who has never lost a major title when leading going into the fourth round, clearly struggled with his left knee throughout Saturday and Sunday. The physios will have been busy overnight to ensure the World No.1 is in tip-top shape for another cut at the testing Torrey Pines course. But that final 12 foot putt will be the only shot broadcast to tell the story of the final round. Never bet against Tiger when it comes to the crunch.

And yet even with Woods visibly handicapped by his knee injury he managed to out-last any of his nearest ‘rivals’. Ogilvy was the only other Top 10 World-ranked player to finish in Top 10.

It seems that the World No.1 will need to be further handicapped in order for the rest of the world’s top golfers to lose their inferiority complex and try competing against Woods.

While Woods has not won every major going, it is symptomatic of the other ‘Top’ golfers that only Phil Mickelson, Vijah Singh and Retief Goosen have increased their Majors tally above one in recent years. Singh (3rd) and Goosen (2nd) last managed that as long ago as 2004 and have not been able to add any more since. While South African Ernie Els has not added to his Major tally of three since 2002.

So Mediate now has an opportunity to break the record that last-round lead record Woods has maintained throughout his career. And no better time to do so either. A fifth day will test all the mental and physical resolve of the World No.1. But one-on-one it is hard to see past Woods. Even with only one and a half functioning legs!

10 down. Only 52 days to go!

As is my wont, I have thrown myself, two feet first, into the triathlon training, and I have not wilted just yet.

Actually starting training did not put the fear of God into me, more the amount of training. Six days a week is a serious commitment. And while it would not be remiss to describe my level of fitness as below average, with ten sessions completed, my body has not totally rejected the work it has been put through. Indeed after only a week and a half’s training I have already noticed a change in my level of fitness. And before you ask, it’s moving in the right direction!

A training program was available on the event’s website and I am trying to follow it to the best of my ability. The program clearly outlined how to approach a triathlon from three months out. The only problem was I only had two months! So two swims, two runs and two cycles a week is how it works and the aim is to build up to the race distance in that time. 750 metre swim. 20km cycle and 5km run.

Each as an individual discipline is not that challenging, but as a triumvirate of one event; now that presents a real test. The swim is the one that is causing me the more trepidation. While I can swim, I was never the one to simply crunch out the laps in a pool. The triathlon isn’t in a pool. So that lifeguard need not be too far away, just in case!

I am moving steadily towards the actual race distance of each, but as stated above, as I started from a rather low level of fitness, the push to get there is going to be steady rather than bring on the quickest ever triathlete burnout known to man.

To quote that well over-used cliché kindly brought to us a number of years ago by Fianna Fail: A lot done. A (hell of) lot more to do.

Triathlon. The Final Frontier!

As someone who has long read and written about sport, the activity on my part has been lacking for the last number of years.

Injury (I can hear the violins now. Louder please!) ended my rugby career. A couple of trips since, up the Alps and the Pyrenees, further proved that I am indeed very unfit. But such was the drinking it was hard to completely identify how unfit I truly was.

The golf clubs were annually dusted down in April/May, and yet for all the talk, the links would only be threatened enough to gobble up the usual half-a-dozen golf balls per round. That ultimate aim of finishing with the same ball as was used on the first tee remains illusive.

The tag rugby caught on for a couple of seasons. Boy did my physio not like that. Thinking I was 22 again did the hamstrings no good whatsoever. Brian O’Driscoll’s place on the Irish team is safe! But again it was so sporadic that it could not quite be called regular exercise!

And so the occasional runs and swims ensued. Again, sporadically. Talk of the triathlon began to be whispered. And the whispers continued. And continued. But this week (after three years of whispers) I finally took the plunge.

I now have eight weeks to get this body into some sort of order. Ensure I can run without cramping. Swim without the lifeguards being called. And learn to cycle like Lance Armstrong.

The transformation from tomb to temple will test this body no end. It could well be a long eight weeks.

Is Ronaldo getting too big for his own boots?

The world of football is waiting with bated breath for Cristiano Ronaldo’s announcement in the next 48 hours about his future. At least that is what he would like us to think. But frankly, this Man United fan has already switched off.

The Portuguese international deserves the awards and plaudits he has been receiving in the last number of months. His contribution to United this year was instrumental on their way to regaining the Premiership. As well as his goals, his contribution around the pitch was second to none.

But any comparisons with any of the greats of the game are wide of the mark. Ronaldo has consistently shown that if he is not involved in a game he will quietly disappear into the background, almost in a huff, and hope that things will start going his way. He stops tracking back and instead makes ridiculous gestures to officials, team-mates, the crowd. To anyone but himself. He is the last one at fault.

His skill cannot be doubted and he has come a long way since a young naïve 17 year old first played in the Premiership with his never-ending step-overs. He can genuinely beat players with both skill and speed. But he has yet displayed the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck and turn it around for his team. Yes he has scored timely goals and put in timely crosses to colleagues but his general awareness and selfishness leaves a lot to be desired.

Ronaldo does not yet have the mental ability to call himself one of the best players in the world. Just take the last two games in the Champions League. Two penalties. One skied over the bar. One saved. Could you have seen Gary Lineker or Alan Shearer, let alone any of the world’s greats make such mistakes.

But such is his own sense of elevated self-importance, he has to be the centre of attention. When Edwin Van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka’s penalty to win the Champion’s League for United, all of his team-mates charged to celebrate with him. Ronaldo charged with them. Then he checked. He realised he would not be the centre of attention among the melee of players. So instead he stops and throws himself to the floor and ‘cries’. Cue every camera in the ground to zoom in on Ronaldo prostrate on the pitch. Once again centre of attention.

Ever since, those cameras have been on him and the microphones have followed his every word. But the young Portuguese winger is playing a dangerous game. Portraying yourself as bigger than a club like Manchester United is walking a very tight rope. And Sir Alex Ferguson is holding the other end of that rope.

Ferguson has long held the belief that no one player is bigger than the club. As far as the Scot is concerned, he is the club. And if there is any attempt by a player to take on that club, a watery grave awaits. He need only ask Jaap Stam, David Beckham or even Roy Keane.

The sooner Ronaldo makes his ‘announcement’ the better. Then he can shut his mouth and get back to what he is best at – playing football. That is where he can gain most respect because at the moment he certainly isn’t playing the media well.

Bright lights offer hope

Munster paraded the Heineken Cup through the streets of Cork City last night when more than 30,000 fans turned out to welcome their rugby heroes. At the same time Ireland were playing a one-sided game against The Barbarians.

While the Baa-baa’s match could be labelled a largely meaningless game, and the team facing Ireland lacked the cavalier skills to rightly carry off the illustrious team name, there are a number of positives that can be taken from the game. Most notably the continuing form of some young lights, which could show that the future of Irish rugby is not as bleak as many had expected.

For such a game, the choice of Luke Fitzgerald at centre allowed the young Leinster player to get his hands on the ball and demonstrate his undoubted talent. And now with two years of professional rugby under his belt, his confidence in both attack and defence bodes well for the Irish midfield in years to come. While he has the potential to be heir apparent to his cousin, Brian O’Driscoll, centre might not be the position to unleash his pace, step and aggression.

While full-back may provide another outlet for Fitzgerald’s talents, there is quite a queue building up to take over from Girvan Dempsey. Geordan Murphy still has a year or two, but the emergence of Rob Kearney during the Six Nations and the more recent form of Munster’s Denis Hurley have provided, initially Michael Bradley and then Declan Kidney with a bit of a selection conundrum.

Another area of over-supply is in the back-row. Jamie Heaslip, for one, again demonstrated his excellent footballing ability and with the Munster back-row joining up with the squad in the next 48 hours, Bradley will again have some tough decisions to make down under. The enthusiasm of the squad will come as welcome relief to all following the dismal World Cup and Six Nations endured in the last year.

Indeed Ireland’s ‘blip’ lasted a bit more than the IRFU and the rugby supporting public expected, and O’Sullivan, correctly, paid for the blip with his job. But he did not leave the squad in good shape, mentally or physically.

However, following Munster and Leinster’s wins in the Heineken Cup and Magners League respectively, and the continued emergence of a group of bright young prospects, the squad Kidney inherits might not be in as bad a shape as expected.

Munster abu!

It has been a long road for Munster rugby. They have knocked on the door a number of times, but they have finally been allowed to take their rightful place at the top table of European Rugby.

Having learnt how to win in 2006, the pressure was not the same going into Saturday’s final.

Previously, I said that if Tomas O’Leary started Toulouse would win. I was wrong (obviously), and while the service to Ronan O’Gara was not as slick as the outhalf is accustomed to, O’Leary marshalled his pack well and remained calm under pressure when clearing his lines on a number of important occasions. And he cannot be to blame for the Toulouse try, despite it being he who kicked the ball into touch.

Having soaked up so much Munster pressure and scored a try while captain Fabian Pelous was in the sin-bin, many would have expected the French team to step it up another gear and put increased pressure on the Munster line. But it wasn’t to be.

While many a Munster fan would not have been so positive after the first 20 minutes of the game, having endured a ferocious Toulouse onslaught and only down three points, a lot of heart was taken from it.

The French side would not have been happy with such a small lead from three attempted drops at goal. Not a good return on investment.

It was a game for the purists, while it ebbed and flowed, the final 20 minutes of warfare were the most intense this Heineken Cup Final has ever seen. The manner in which the Munster pack doggedly attacked the fringes time and again was a joy to behold. Not once did you see a player in navy lie prostrate waiting for the next play. Immediately back on their feet, ready to go over the top once more. Twice they gave away penalties. Twice they quickly retrieved possession from Toulouse with some almighty line-out and midfield defence. Where the strength was found to physically rip the ball from the French players is anyone’s guess. A 16th player always welcome and boy did the supporters play their part.

But to hold possession for the guts of 15 minutes at the end of such a battle truly showed this team’s physical and mental mettle. Quite how Alan Quinlan has been overlooked for selection on the Irish team is anyone’s guess.

So Declan Kidney leaves Munster a much happier man than his last exit in 2002 after the loss to Leicester Tigers. And he can attack his new Irish role with a renewed vigour, and as one of Europe’s most successful coaches.

The Winner takes all

The talking is over. Let the games begin. Tonight’s game is the ultimate Gladiators warfare. Two protagonists with little love lost between them.

Chelsea will take the mantle of the wounded animal in more ways than one. Having let the Premiership slip away, the London club will be seeking revenge. And no better place than on the biggest club stage in the World.

And preparations have not been ideal. Initial injury worries surrounding Didi Drogba and Terry were further compounded by Claude Makelele’s reckless challenge on Ashley Cole during yesterday’s run-out. How such incidents will sit in the dressing room is anyone’s guess.

But if Cole starts and is slightly hampered by the ankle injury, this could spell trouble as Cristiano Ronaldo will seek to exploit any weakness. In recent matches Cole has kept Ronaldo quiet. When he was at full fitness. And while Ronaldo has scored 41 goals this season, he is not the only match winner for United.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team will take the role of the Champion Gladiator who will proudly strut around, chest out, owning the arena. With the experience of European Finals more prominent in their ranks, ‘United will go into the Final with a better knowledge of what to expect.

There will be much shaping-up between the two teams but for the neutral supporter there must be a hope that the two warriors do not cancel each other out. A dour affair like last year’s FA Cup would be everyone’s worst nightmare.

For the manager’s, it may well be a defining moment in their careers. For Ferguson, a win will confirm him as one of the greatest British managers and for Avram Grant, he can only hope that a win will confirm his position as Chelsea manager for next season.

With defence at a premium, the gladiator who can spring the surprise attack will take all the spoils.

Last one out turn off the lights

Once again, the mass exodus from Munster begins as all roads lead to Cardiff. Any train, plane, automobile, ferry, helicopter or speed boat leaving these shores this week will be full to the brim of red jerseys. The most circuitous routes will be taken to ensure arrival in the Welsh capital in time for Saturday’s 5pm kick-off.

Munster have almost made the Millenium Stadium a home-from-home as they challenge for the Heineken European Rugby Cup (to give it its full and correct name) in Wales for the third time in seven years. It is their fourth final in nine.

As a twice previous pilgrim, the search for transport, let alone accommodation only adds to the adventure. Do not be surprised to see Munster jerseys on any flight out of Ireland this week, regardless if you are heading to Newcastle, East Midlands, Southampton or even Glasgow.

Those flights are not restricted to Friday and Saturday, fully expect some people to begin travelling from Wednesday. Indeed it was reported that it is now even hard to avail of the use of a camper van to travel across, such has been the demand. And with so many hotels, inns, hostels, B&Bs full from Cardiff to Bristol and beyond, the camper van is an inspired decision. Let’s just hope the ferries travel. And on time.

Having battled through arguably the toughest-ever group in European Cup history, beaten Gloucester in Kingholm and then seen off a dogged Saracens team, Munster must be wondering what they have to do to get their hands on the trophy.

And the final doesn’t get any easier. Playing against the Kings of Europe, Stade Toulousain, there is no room for error, as the three times Champions will take full advantage. However, with their ace finisher Vincent Clerc out injured, a respite has been afforded the Munster men.

Playing against the European Royalty, Munster will have to be at the top of their game and have their best 15 players on the pitch. That should include Peter Stringer. The Irish scrum-half was dropped for the quarter-final and Tomas O’Leary had a storming game against Gloucester. But the same cannot be said for his semi-final performance. That he was not taken off at any stage in the second-half, let alone at half-time, beggared belief as O’Leary failed to provide the required calm and leadership sought by the pack.

If the same number of mistakes are made and the ball kicked away so aimlessly in the final by either O’Leary or Stringer, the European Cup will be returning to the South West of France. This match is too important to not start Stringer who is pivotal to the marshalling of the Munster pack, as well as the vital extra time he allows Ronan O’Gara on the ball.

This game is too close to call. The bookies only have the handicap at two points in Munster’s favour. If Stringer starts, Munster will win. But that is far from guaranteed.

The clash between these two teams will of biblical proportions. Let the pilgrimage begin. Last one out, turn off the lights.

Underdogs fail to ignite FA Cup fire

In a week when more British teams are competing in European finals than ever before, Portsmouth and Cardiff City must be wondering what they have to do to bring attention to themselves and their FA Cup Final on Saturday.

As the top teams fell from grace in the FA Cup, the tournament was once again being talked up and that the old romance in the competition still existed. And yet, with Manchester United and Chelsea competing in the first All-England Champions League final only four days later, there is almost a case for all involved in the FA Cup Final to throw their hands up in desperation. The focus continues to be on the other final.

Ever since they reached the final both Cardiff and Portsmouth’s focus has been on Saturday’s final. While the welsh tried in vain to push on at the end of the season for a Championship play-off, their heart was never fully in it, as they awaited their day in the May sunshine in Wembley. Portsmouth took their foot off the pedal even earlier, satisfied with their lot and aware they could not realistically challenge those ahead of them for a UEFA Cup spot in the Premier League. A win on Saturday was seen as an easier road into Europe.

The romance of tomorrow’s final will not be lost on the two teams, their managers and their players. But to others it might not be the same. The winner will be the first outside the ‘Big 4’ to win the FA Cup since Everton in 1995. The winner will go into next year’s UEFA Cup. But because there is no great love amongst the neutral fans for either club, the romance and the big build-up has simply not materialised.

And when Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Carvalho and Didier Drogba all hint at moves away from their clubs, it is not hard to see why the FA Cup has been pushed down the headlines.

BBC and Sky Sports will build it up tomorrow with pieces about the ball being used, Wembley, the suits, the hotels the teams are staying in and the dressing room superstitions. But it won’t matter because the neutrals won’t be watching.

Manchester United and Chelsea have not finished their seasons yet. They’re still the headline grabbers and as long as they are still in contention for more silverware, they will continue to grab the headlines.

This boy ain't finished just yet!

Both firmly at the bottom of the Magners League, last month’s Ulster-Connacht game was do-or-die for all concerned. With only four points separating the teams beforehand, more than bragging rights were on offer here. Heineken European Cup entry was also on the line.

Holding sway for much of the match, Connacht could not turn the pressure into points. Outhalf Andy Dunne missed three kickable penalties. The last, early in the second half, forced coach Michael Bradley's hand and Dunne was substituted. "It was probably one of my worst games I've had in professional rugby," said Dunne during the week.

The road out to the west has not been a direct one for the Dubliner who will be entering his ninth year as a professional rugby player next season. A couple of stints with Leinster as well as three years in the English Premiership in between before the move to Galway at the start of this season.

Dunne won the European Challenge Cup in his first year with NEC Harlequins and kicked the winning points: "It was tense kicking the final conversion in front of 20,000 people but the best was being part of the winning team. That was the highlight."

A second year with 'Quins and a difficult year with Bath followed before Dunne returned to Dublin for a season with Leinster. Having only played a handful of games at the Recreation Ground, the young out-half was delighted to be playing rugby again: "It renewed my enthusiasm for the game. It was frustrating in Bath because I was basically a professional trainer. I don't think anyone plays professional sport to just train. You train for the matches and the enjoyment that brings."

He is enjoying his rugby at Connacht and more importantly he is playing consistently, making the number 10 shirt his own. But he is not only receiving from the team, he is also giving back.

"The way Connacht play is changing. Dunner has played a big part in that. He's brought a 'let's go out and have a crack' attitude," according to last year's captain John Fogarty.

He is clearly having an effect on his team-mates: "He has a lot of experience. He says the right things at the right time. When things are going bad in a game some players might go quiet. Dunner gets louder," said Fogarty.

This effect has not gone unnoticed. Dunne has been nominated for an award at the Irish Rugby Union Player's Awards (IRUPA) for 'Unsung Hero of the Year'. Why? "He's a great team player. He has helped lift the spirits of the team over the year. He loves what he's doing and he's very passionate about what he does. And it's very obvious. He always has a big smile on his face," said Fogarty

Dunne is chuffed with the nomination: "It's a lovely honour because it's by my own peers and that's as good an honour as I can get."

But the award is only a side line. The Dubliner is not hanging up his boots just yet: "I've been involved at all levels to 'A', so one more step to go. There are chances. There will be chances."

As a 17 year old, Dunne held off Paddy Wallace and Jeremy Staunton for the out-half position on the Irish school's team. When all three played together at Under 21 level, the Dubliner was once again handed the number 10 jersey. And yet, Dunne is the only one not to have represented Ireland at the highest level: "The two guys have gone on and played for Ireland. It makes it a very possible thing to happen. But sometimes when I wasn't selected I thought it was impossible or I was fooling myself."

But he is well aware of what it takes: "All you need is to be playing well and take your chances when they come. Right place. Right time. It can happen. Guys like Bernard Jackman and Shane Byrne are good inspiration. I think they got capped at 31 or 32, so there's no reason why not."

And Dunne does not have to look too far for further inspiration. Connacht's back coach, Eric Elwood, only retired from the Connacht team at the age of 37. "I think I've plenty of mileage. I have more time left in me to play and I have the opportunity to keep doing it for a good while yet," said the 28-year-old.

For the next match, Connacht travelled to play the Newport Gwent Dragons. Dunne started on the bench but entered the fray with 20 minutes left on the clock. Trailing 11-6, Connacht scored a try deep into injury time to draw level. There was never any question about the conversion. Dunne's kick gave his team an unlikely 11-13 win.

Dunne's excellent season with Connacht, Ulster match apart, was duly rewarded when he picked up the IRUPA 'Unsung Hero of the Year' award in Dublin. But he won't be resting on his laurels for too long: "I don't think I've had the perfect performance or anything close to it yet but it is something I continually strive for."

Open and closed case?

This weekend the Irish Open takes place in the wonderful surroundings of Adare Manor with Irish golfers on a high having won an unprecedented three tournaments in a row, culminating in Peter Lawrie’s dramatic sudden-death win at the Spanish Open ten days ago.

This triumvirate of victories has been a much needed fillip to the event as the usual trumpets and furore in the run-in to this weekend’s action have been conspicuous by their absence.

Padraig Harrington, who broke the 25 year John O’Leary curse by winning last year, returns to defend his title but is one of only 6 of the World’s top 50 golfers who will compete this week. This is an increase on last year’s number!

It is a damning indictment that only two years after the K Club hosted the Ryder Cup, that the Irish Open cannot find a sponsor and that the European Open is no longer hosted by the Kildare golf course.

Corporate Ireland cashed in on the Ryder Cup and no longer see value in an association with golf on the island. And yet, Ireland has more golfers playing on the European Tour than ever before.

Without the attraction of the big name golfers, who increasingly follow the big cheques, sponsors have been slow to back the event. Very much catch-22.

The Irish Open’s fall from grace is a sorry sight. Previously hosted on the links at Portmarnock, Co. Louth, Royal Dublin and as far back as Woodbrook, the event was seen as a warm-up to the British Open. Unfortunately that is no longer the case and it has steadily fallen down the European Tour pecking order and no longer holds that prime position one week before the Major.

Tom Kane must be commended for his attitude to the event but his pockets are only so deep.

We can only hope that another Irish victory this weekend can demonstrate the value of this event to a large corporation, because if not, it might not be long before the Irish Open ceases to exist.

Titles on a shoestring. But for how long?

When Arsene Wenger first arrived at Highbury, a relative unknown, the greatest talking point was the similarity of his first name to his new club. Very much a thinking-man’s manager, Wenger quickly moved on to demonstrate he is one of the most astute managers in Europe and has brought the London club success on a shoestring, but has not reached the next level of a European title.

Now more than 12 years at Highbury, there is no sign of his motivation waning and indeed in the midst of another team re-build, this latest team could well be one of the most talented in a number of years.

Most striking about Wenger’s time at Arsenal has been his astute purchases of young, relatively unknown players and his ability to maximise their talents and provide them with a playing philosophy within which to display their undoubted talents.

Some of his first signings included Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka. The following year, as the Arsenal back four began to break up, the French-man controversially signed Tottenham Hotspurs captain, Sol Campbell, as well as Frederik Ljungberg and the French duo of Thierry Henry and Robert Pires.

These signings along with the existing English players in the squad developed into one of the best teams to watch play football in the Premiership; a trait that continues to this day.

And while these signings have thrived under Wenger’s tutelage, it is their exit from Highbury that is most telling.

There has often been uproar from the stands when word circles that particular players are being let go or sold. However, in the years that follow their exit, not many of the players have maintained the same level of success from both an individual or team perspective.

Overmars and Petit, two of the mainstays of the Arsenal midfield, were sold together to Barcelona. Overmars lasted four years with the Catalan club, but it took him a number of years to settle into the club. Petit only lasted a season before returning to London and Arsenal’s arch-rivals, Chelsea, where he did not have any like the impact he previously had in the Premiership.

Nicolas Anelka moved through so many clubs that they are not worth mentioning, and while continuing to be a goal-scorer, has not reached the same heights of success when at Arsenal.

This season Wenger kept his wick dry and did not dip into the transfer market during the January window. This ultimately was to the detriment of their Premiership challenge. While their nearest rivals Manchester United and Chelsea both suffered injuries, players of equal calibre were able to step into the fold without too much disruption. And it was they who ultimately finished first and second.

As the wheelings and dealings of the summer transfer season begin, but most likely to intensify further after the European Championships, Arsenal’s comings and goings will make for interesting viewing.

Already gone to a bigger paymaster is Gilles Grimandi. Will others follow or be pushed out and who will be brought in?

Players like Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor want to play at the highest level. If this Arsenal team does not step up to the mark in the Premiership (last won in 2004) and Europe in the next couple of years, it may be the end of the team or the manager. Only time will tell.

Advantage United

Manchester United hold the advantage over their London rivals, Chelsea, going into next week’s Champions League Final in Moscow. Seeing off the stern challenge of Wigan 2-0, the Red Devils clinched their 10th Premier League title in 17 years.

At the end of a long season, injuries to key players have been critical to both United and Chelsea for their league run in as well as their Champions League semi-finals.

Sir Alex Ferguson had the luxury of welcoming back both defender Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney into his starting 11. Both lasted 90 minutes.

In contrast, Chelsea started without defender Ricardo Carvalho and ended the game without captain John Terry, who left the pitch with a dislocated elbow after a clash with goalkeeper Petr Cech. Didier Drogba also suffered an injury at the end of the game, jarring his knee, and now both are rated doubtful for Moscow. However, Terry did believe he would be in a position to play in the final.

So with United at full strength and Chelsea potentially missing at least one of their talismen, not to mention the United players with Premier League medals around their neck, it is advantage United as they travel to Moscow for the first-ever all-England Champions League final.

Kidney takes top spot

So the IRFU have finally made a decision, the best one from both a PR and a sporting perspective, to make Declan Kidney the new Irish head coach.

The process to find a replacement for Eddie O'Sullivan had become increasingly drawn out, not quite on an FAI scale, but nonetheless increasingly tedious. Calls were made for updates to be provided from Lansdowne Road, but none were forthcoming.

In defense of the FAI, at least they provided information to the media about the process as it became increasingly protracted. In contrast the IRFU circled the wagons, much like the reporting of the Genesis Report, for fear that any journalist may hear anything positive on the grapevine.

Kidney was always the best man for the job. Having coached at all levels, it was only right that he be allowed an opportunity to coach the top team. There have been dissenting voices about his possible promotion to the post but it is now the Cork man's job to silence his critics.

While it has been known for more than a week that all that remained for Kidney to do was sign the dotted line, it has come to fruition that a number of final issues need to be ironed out.

The IRFU must be commended for confirming his appointment, but equally Kidney must be commended for standing his ground and insisting he appoints his backroom staff. Having been an ill-made IRFU appointment under Eddie O'Sullivan, the Munster coach is only too aware of such pitfalls.

Kidney will not take charge of the Irish team until after the summer tour, thereby providing him with enough time to properly put his back-room team together. From an IRFU, a player and a Kidney perspective, this can only be taken as a positive for the four years ahead.

The Munster man is carefully putting his team together and it may take some time to bed in. We as supporters must allow Kidney and his team time to put their systems in place and not be too quick to judge. To do so would only be to the detriment of the team and the sport as a whole.

Respect the Ref? Two chances!

Hands on hips. His chin lowered to his chest and back to the referee, the player refused to look at the official. Only when threatened with expulsion from the game did the player petulantly make half a turn to receive his yellow card. Having looked the referee in the eye, he was already running away by the time the official’s arm was fully outstretched.

If this was an under ten’s game in the Phoenix Park, the emotion and frustration of the player may be understandable, but when it happens at White Hart Lane and the player is Ashley Cole, any feelings of sympathy toward the player quickly dissipate.

Only four days later Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano received a second yellow card and was dismissed. His offence? Charging more than 20 yards to dispute a challenge made on one of his team-mates.

The issue of player-official respect has once again been brought to the fore.

But a trip down memory lane is not a long one to discover when this was last the favourite bar-stool topic of conversation. It is less than 10 years since Paolo Di Canio infamously pushed referee Paul Alcock to the ground after being given his marching orders. Before being banned for 11 games and fined £10,000, politicians and former players were outraged at the Italian’s behaviour. “Chuck the book at him,” said then Sports Minister, Tony Banks MP.

Such fines are nowadays not going to hurt the top professionals where many in the Premiership will be earning about three to four times that amount a week.

Players like Cole now earn more in a week than the referee earns in a year. The Chelsea player believes he is a minor celebrity – he’s not – and therefore has a right to look down his nose at anyone who dares challenge him. Likewise his team-mates.

In football, the players believe they have a God given right to challenge every decision made by the authorities, it doesn’t matter if it took place five or 50 yards away from them.

Indeed, it is not only the players who find themselves in trouble, clubs are increasingly being brought to task for not being able to control their players or 'bringing the game into disrepute'. Arsenal and Chelsea are most often at the top of the list, with the Stamford Bridge club already fined three times this year and assistant coach, Steve Clarke, also fined for abusing an official.

How often in the past number of years has a referee made a decision, or not, and is almost immediately been surrounded by a large number of players. The jostling, barracking and abuse is now seen as a valid tactic to seek to sway the decision about to be meted out. Such incidents do not take place by accident.

In the past week the Football Association (FA) launched a grass-roots campaign to recruit more referees but also improve player behaviour towards match officials. Such a campaign is not an over-night solution but must be welcomed.

Everton manager David Moyes was one of a number of Premiership managers to come out in support of the FA’s proposal to tackle the issue. But he believes respect is a two way thin: “We know they want us to give them respect. They have to give us respect also.”

However Sunderland manager, Roy Keane was highly critical of Premiership managers preaching about players respecting referees. The antagonism shown by players does not happen by mistake. And it is no co-incidence that the teams with the most vociferous managers are those with the most vocal players.

“There are a lot of hypocrites out there. The same bosses talking about players showing respect have been sent off themselves for abusing officials,” said Keane.

The Cork-man who was one of the fiercest competitors on the pitch has been one of the calmest man patrolling the touchlines and believes it is his job to set the example in the club: “I’ve made it clear to everyone here – from the academy to the first team – that a lack of respect towards referees will not be tolerated. How can the players show respect if their managers does not?”

While the FA are seeking to hire the referees at grassroots level, they would do well to include a chapter in the document for managers.

Chief Executive of the Professional Footballer’s Association, Gordon Taylor has called for an exclusion zone around referees to stop players’ dissent. “I have made it clear referees should be a no-go area. It is time managers and players did accept a responsibility because what happens at the top level happens lower down.”

While an exclusion zone is good in principle, any comments can still easily be shouted from five yards away.

If the message is to get across to the players that dissent will not be tolerated, then they must be hit where it will hurt most - on the pitch. Why not take a leaf from the rugby rule-book? Any lip or back chat – ten yards.

If Cole had 10 team-mates shouting at him to shut up as the referee moved a free-kick a further 10 yards up the pitch he might just listen. He respects them.