Ronan O'Gara set to make 100th Heineken Cup appearance; quite incredibly it will be his 99th start:

ROG releases another watch winning drop goal

           Ronan O'Gara will make headlines for the third consecutive Heineken Cup weekend this Saturday when he runs out at Parc y Scarlets to face Llanelli.  Matchdays one and two saw O'Gara convert dramatic last gasp drop goals at the death of consecutive games away to Castres and at home to last season's finalists Northampton Saints, to secure improbable victories. 
           This coming weekend, the Cork man will equal the record number of Heineken Cup appearances of 100 set by his Munster colleague, John Hayes.  Whilst the prop's record is undoubtedly stunning (particularly for a player in his position);  O'Gara's appearance record has been achieved with just one cap coming from the bench compared to six from his former Ireland colleague.
              O'Gara holds a couple of other impressive Heineken Cup records.  The Cork native was voted as the Heineken Cup's Most Important Player  (1995 - 2010)  and is also the only player to have scored more than 1,000 points (he currently has 1,221 points to his name) in Europe's premier club rugby competition.

...and celebrates that winning feeling!

          Having had so much of the limelight in the past (and present);  O'Gara was happy to spread the love for one of Munster Rugby's true unsung heroes in the coleface that is the front row:   “I was honoured to present John Hayes with his cap for reaching 100 Heineken Cup matches. He was the most fitting Munster man to achieve that milestone,” said O’Gara magnanimously.
          There are those who will argue that O'Gara is the true star of this Munster Rugby dynasty for the way he has controlled games from number 10 and produced clutch kicks at the death of so many games which have turned defeats into victory time and time again for the Red Army - no more so than in the opening two games of this 2011-'12 campaign. 
          How do you pick out one moment from a European career that started with a  48-40  defeat at The Stoop against Harlequins back in the 1997/'98 season and has seen O’Gara win two Heineken Cup titles, reach four finals and five other semi-finals. It is virtually impossible, especially as this season’s two games have thrown up two more candidates for his Top 10 best moments. 

Of course ROG has had drop goal glory in an Ireland shirt...

          O'Gara, having made his debut as a fresh faced 20 year old back, scoring 15 points back in 1997 at Twickenham's Stoop in a 48-40 reverse to the home side (Harlequins); O'Gara has seen the game of rugby go from strength to strength in this country. 


...celebrating 2009 Grand Slam with BOD

            “When we played Leinster in Dooradoyle in 1997 there were 500 people there. Now we can get 80,000 for a Heineken Cup clash between the same two teams. That shows the impact the game has in this country and it doesn’t happen by chance - there has been a lot of hard work done by the provinces, ERC and Heineken," - ROG continues.  O'Gara's career has indeed mirrored the path of the Heineken Cup itself as both developed from infancy in and around the same time to become massive names for all rugby fans.  From Stoop to Conquerer, one imagines that O'Gara's final big moment in the Cup won't merely be his 100th appearance.

20th Champions League season sees Top moments decided: Nice to see a goalkeeper get rare recognition:

Jerzy Dudek's remarkable point blank save: 2005 CL Final

           This month's  "Champions"  magazine (the official magazine of the UEFA Champions League) was the 50th issue of the monthly tome.  To mark the event, an online poll of the Top 50 Champions League moments of all time was voted on.  Hundreds of thousands of people placed their vote.
           The winner came as something of a surprise;  going to Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek's remarkable double save in extra-time at the end of the 2005 Final against AC Milan which received 21% of the votes.  Having parried a close range header from Andrei Shevchenko; the Pole was prone on the ground as the ball fell to the Milan centre forward's feet with the prolific striker standing three yards from goal.  Dudek managed to get to his knees before sticking out a hand and deflecting the resulting piledriver high and over his crossbar.  Having come back from 0-3 down at half-time (and the score now level at 3-3) - there could only ever be one winner after that remarkable moment.      
           This observer was a little surprised that the Dudek save was voted as all-time number one, but having come back from 0-3 down to draw level, it would have been as close as sport can come to tragedy had the Reds not held on to lift the trophy.

Zidane's stunning 2002 strike soars through the Scottish sky

             I personally expected Zinedine Zidane's remarkable 2002 Final volley against Leverkusen to win the top award.  However, the Frenchman's effort trailed in in second with 12% of the total tally.  With a nothing cross from Roberto Carlos floating high towards the edge of the penalty area; Zidane raised his left leg to shoulder height before strike a sumptuous volley to the top corner of the German net.  It was a goal worthy of winning any Title and Zizou's sensational strike did just that.

Solskjaer completes United's amazing 1999 Final comeback

           Coming in in third place with 10% of the vote is Manchester United's last gasp winner against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Final at Camp Nou.  Having been dominated for most of the game (with their woodwork having been hit twice) and trailing since the sixth minute of the game; Teddy Sheringham equalised for the English League and Cup winners in injury time at the end of the 90 minutes with Solskjaer netting the winner 90 seconds later with virtually the last kick of the game.


Kobenhavn players celebrate last season's great achievement

             This observer would probably prefer moments which weren't from the Champions League Final (as the Top Five moments all are).  I would personally plump for FC Kobenhaven (Copenhagen's) achievement of reaching the last 16 in 2010-'11 as the smallest club ever to reach the knock-out stages as a greater achievement to most of the monstrous Premier League/La Liga franchises winning Europe's greatest club football prize.

The Soccer Doctor dies: his Corinthians side pay the ultimate tribute by this evening winning their fifth Brasileirão (Brasilian Premier League) Title:

           Sócrates; captain and star of Brazil's 1982 FIFA World Cup side has died around 4a.m. today (UK and Ireland time) aged 57 of intestinal cancer.  The man who dubbed himself the  "anti-athlete"  was, as a qualified medical doctor, one of the most intelligent ever to play the "beautiful game."   Quite incredibly, he graduated as a doctor whilst also a professional footballer with his native Corinthians.  Upon retiring from football, he practiced medicine at Ribeirão Preto Hospital in São Paulo.
           He was also hailed as captain of the  "greatest side never to win the World Cup"  -  that 1982 Selecéao side;  containing stars such as Oscar, Serginho, Júnior, Falcão and Zico.  Garnering 60 caps for A Seleção;  he captained a side who played football the way the football gods wanted it to be played.  Just such a shame that they could not lift the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Sócrates was a global soccer icon

              Pelé named him as one of the Top 125 living Footballers in 2004 and famed football magaine;  "World Soccer"  named him one of the 100 best footballers of the 20th century.  In October 2008;  Sócrates was admitted into the Pacembu Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame.

"This is for Socrates" - Corinthians commemorate

       There is a myth that Sócrates studied medicine in Dublin, and that during this time he played reserve football for Unversity College Dublin whilst studying Medicine in Ireland.
            As a chain smoker and alcoholic, the man himself openly admitted that he lived his life the opposite way to what a professional athlete should, but it never, ever affected his performance on the pitch.  Eventually though it did catch up to his health.  Having spent six days in intensive care, he finally lost his battle for life.  He is survived by his wife and six children.

Charismatic Irish man makes welcome return to Premier League:

NEW SUNDERLAND MANAGER: Northern Ireland's Martin O'Neill

           Martin O'Neill has this weekend been confirmed as the new manager of Sunderland Football Club.  After 15 months out of football, the Kilrea native will be more than happy to be back in the game he loves.  O'Neill agreed a three-and-a-half year contract with the North East side today.
           Given that O'Neill was a Sunderland fan as a boy, he will certainly be made more welcome than previous incumbent at the Stadium of Light; Geordie Steve Bruce.  Whilst this observer believes that Bruce did not get enough time in charge; there can be little doubt that O'Neill is a step up in quality from the Newcastle native.
           O'Neill takes over the Black Cats with them standing two points above the relegation.  This observer feels it's a crazy time to sack your manager.  Tomorrow afternoon;  Sunderland face Wolves, who are level on points with them.  A win would push Sunderland well clear of the drop zone, but O'Neill will have no impact on tomorrow's game and the most likely result is a win for the Midlands side.

STEVE BRUCE:  Harshly treated and sacked by Sunderland

           Perhaps Sunderland chairman Doug Ellis should have waited until immediately after tomorrow's game before sacking Steve Bruce;  but he will be vindicated if the Black Cats can win.  One thing for sure is that Martin O'Neill will have no impact whatsoever on tomorrow's game but, over time, he can certainly turn the club around and steer them into the top half of the Premier League table.

Ireland secure tough Euro 2012 Group but crucially for fans will be based in POLAND:



Ireland drawn in same Group as World & European Champs

             There was good news and bad news in today's Euro 2012 draw for the Republic of Ireland.  The big good news is that Ireland will play their Group games in POLAND;  based in Gdansk and Poznan - two stadia which are just 190km apart. 
            The draw however was not quite so kind to the Republic of Ireland.  Before the draw;  Ireland manager Giovanni Trapatonni had said that he didn't want to get Spain, England or Italy.  We ended up with two of those three. 

IRELAND: First time at Europeans since 1988

             Spain are of course defending World and European Champions and are aiming to become the first European nation ever to win three consecutive major international tournaments.  Italy had a very poor 2010 World Cup, becoming the first defending champion not to win a game at the next tournament.  However, with new players and a new manager, Cesare Prandelli have improved since then and Gli Azzurri were unbeaten in Euro 2012 qualification, winning their Group by 10 clear points.  Having said that though;  Giovanni Trapatonni will certainly have plenty of information on Ireland's final Group stage opponents.


Holland & Germany: set to resume ancient rivalry/hatred


              There is a so called "Group of Death"  at every major international football tournament.  At this tournament, it has to be Group B where FIFA's World Ranked 2nd, 3rd, 7th and 11th sides square up to each other.  Any side who emerges from a Group of Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Denmark will be happy to reach the Quarter Final stage. 
             From the Group of Death to the Group of Life; Group A where co-hosts Poland face Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic with each side fancying their chances of progressing.  It promises to be a tight (and likely boring) Group, but there are no clear favourites here. 

Ireland set to face England for first time since 1995 Dublin riot

             England got a favourable draw, if something of a logisitical nightmare given their Krakow base and the fact that the games will be in the Ukraine.   Easy for the squad of course, but not fans.  England's opponents will be France and Sweden before closing the Group against hosts Ukraine.  If England win this Group, they could well face the Republic of Ireland in the Quarter Final for what would be a mouth watering Anglo/Irish/Italiano showdown.  The fact that Ireland and England avoided each other in the Group stages draw also paves the way for a lucrative Anglo/Irish international match at the AVIVA Stadium some time before June 2012.

BOD on mend and planning at least one last "really big year" before retiring from rugby:

RUGBY's GREATEST EVER WATER CARRIER:  Brian O'Driscoll

            The 32-year-old had surgery to correct a long-standing shoulder problem just over two weeks ago and returned to the Leinster camp this week to begin his rehabilitation, which is expected to last six weeks.          
             "I was only in (hospital) for a fraction over 24 hours and it's just been a case of taking rest. I am not a great person to be sitting around. I was told to do nothing for two weeks after the operation which was Wednesday, but I snuck in on Monday to do a sneaky 'bike' to alleviate that bit of extra pressure I was feeling," - said O'Driscoll after last week's operation.
"I certainly feel I have got a really big year in me next year," O'Driscoll told Newstalk Radio.
              "People are talking about getting back and having one more go at the Lions, but the way Eoin (O'Malley) and Fergus (McFadden) are going, let's get back in the Leinster team first. I am acutely aware that I can't take anything for granted in rugby because I have seen how fickle it can be."

Ireland's first para-cycling World Champion looks forward to London 2012:

Ireland's Mark Rohan in World para-cycling action

           Former Westmeath Gaelic footballer Mark Rohan is looking forward to the challenge of the London 2012 Paralympics.   Acutely aware of the financial problems in Ireland, he believes it is up to Irish athletes to represent the country as best they can given the horrendous antics of the nation's politicians.
            Rohan, 30, has already qualified for next year's Paralympics and is targeting a medal in the handcycling road race and a personal best in the time trial.  The 30-year-old has just taken delivery of a new €9,500 bike which he hopes will help him add to his impressive achievements in the sport.


Rohan celebrates World gold

             "This one is built specifically for my dimensions," said Rohan, who is the first athlete to win six World Cup medals in a row.  He was able-bodied and a keen multi-disciplinary athlete until an accident in 2001 resulted in him suffering severe spinal injuries. 

             Mark continues to discuss his bike: "It's a really lightweight bike and hopefully this will bring me to London.  It uses mountain bike gears and all the components from a road bike; it's just a kind of an upside down bike in the shape of a bobsleigh.  I'll hit maximum speeds of 80km/hour but my average speed will be 30-35km/h.  The fact that I'll be just one inch off the ground will make it feel a lot faster though."