O’Mahony ban blow for Ireland
PETER O’MAHONY will miss the next three rounds of the Six Nations as punishment for his red card against Wales.
The Ireland flanker was judged to have committed a “reckless” act deserving of a dismissal by an independent disciplinary hearing.
He accepted that making contact with the head of prop Tomas Francis in a 13th-minute ruck had been dangerous, and it cost his side as they lost the game.
O’Mahony, who captained the 2017 Lions in their first Test against New Zealand, will have to sit out Ireland’s matches against France, Italy and Scotland.
But he will be free to return on the final weekend of the tournament when Andy Farrell’s men host England in Dublin. A Six
Nations spokesperson said: “The committee determined that the entry point was mid-range, which for this offence is six weeks.
“The committee concluded, after careful consideration of the player’s record and conduct in the hearing, that the player was entitled to a 50 per cent reduction of sanction in mitigation.”
ANDY MURRAY made a winning return to action by beating world No203 Max Marterer at the Biella Challenger in Italy yesterday.
The former world No1, left, was “gutted” and “angry” he could not travel to the Australian Open after testing positive for Covid-19.
And Murray, whose previous match was last October, accepted a wild card to play in the second-tier event in Piedmont for match practice.
After losing a first-set tiebreak, he shook off the rust to beat the German left-hander 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 in two hours and 10 minutes.
Murray, now world No124, did not face a break point and even ended the encounter with a trademark backhand lob winner. He faces Italy’s Gian
RAFA NADAL unveiled a new service action to protect his injured back in his opening-round victory.
The world No2, left, did not play in any of Spain’s ATP Cup matches last week and gave a downbeat assessment of his fitness ahead of the tournament.
But the French Open champion thrashed Serbia’s Laslo Djere 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 as he launched his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title.
Nadal, who adjusted his ball toss, said: “My back is not perfect.
“It has been a tough 15 days for me. Every day that I’m able to go through, probably there are more chances to get better. I needed to change the motion of my serve a little bit. That’s what I tried to survive today.
“Let’s go day by day. I am still alive and I want to be here as long as possible.”
Nadal will face British No3 Cameron Norrie on Saturday if both come through their second-round matches.
FURIOUS Rotherham boss Paul Warne hit out at referee Geoff Eltringham as Mick McCarthy maintained his unbeaten Cardiff start.
Warne was unhappy his side were not given first-half spot-kicks for challenges on Michael Smith and Richard Wood.
He said: “I don’t know how much more you have to do to win a penalty. I
ROTHERHAM CARDIFF
was proud of the lads’ effort because we deserved at least a draw,.”
The Bluebirds made it eight points from four games under their new boss as Joe Bennett, right, headed home Josh Murphy’s pinpoint 85th-minute cross for the defender’s first goal since December 2017. A close-range finish from Matt Crooks on the hour had cancelled out a cool 42nd-minute opener from Sheyi Ojo. McCarthy said: “Every credit to the lads for the way they kept going.” JASON MELLOR
BRENDAN RODGERS is out to make history and shatter Leicester’s reputation as FA Cup bridesmaids.
Rodgers was taken aback to hear The Foxes have been to the final four times and lost on every occasion. Tonight they tackle Brighton for a place in the last eight and manager Rodgers would love to end that hoodoo.
Leicester, last beaten finallists in 1969, are the only Premier League title winners not to have
LEICESTER V BRIGHTON
7.30PM, BT SPORT
Dave Armitage also won the FA Cup. The other six have collectively lifted the trophy a total of 53 times: Arsenal 14, Manchester Utd 12, Chelsea eight, Liverpool seven, Blackburn six and Manchester City six.
Rodgers said: “I was surprised when I first came here and heard that, especially when you think of the great teams here over the years. There’s an opportunity for us to be the first while I’m here.Traditionally it’s very important. So, yes, we’re excited by it.”
Brighton have not won the trophy either and are remembered for blowing their big chance in 1983, a final Rogers recalls watching as a 10-year-old boy.
The Seagulls were level at 2-2 with Manchester United and in the final seconds of extra-time Gordon Smith famously missed a sitter. United won the replay 4-0.
Rodgers added: “You need the football gods with you.That’s the beauty of the competition and what makes it so great.”
JOSE MOURINHO has held out an olive branch to Dele Alli and will ask him to return to the Tottenham bench tonight. The midfielder has not played since a 65minute run-out against Marine in the FA Cup on January 10. His absence came when the 24-year-old was being heavily linked with Paris Saint-Germain.
It led to speculation he was unhappy at the club and being frozen out, but Mourinho insists he was injured.
And the Spurs boss admitted he would not be rushing him back unless it was necessary.
Mourinho said: “In a normal situation he wouldn’t even be considered. But with the injuries we have, the number of matches we have, maybe we have to accelerate his process.
“If he gives me a positive answer to my question, ‘Can you help us, even if it is for a few minutes?’ then let’s travel. If he can come on for 15 minutes and help the team that will be good for us.”
Injured Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon will miss the fifth-round tie at
Everton, with Serge Aurier also a doubt. Harry Kane may not be risked so soon after his return from injury.
Alli, left, has been struggling with a tendon problem but fell out of favour earlier this season. Mourinho insisted Alli can focus on his football again now the transfer window is closed. He said: “In this moment everybody knows he is a Tottenham player.”