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.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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!
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!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, June 23, 2008
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!
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!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
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!
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!
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