Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SPORTS SHORTS
ATHLETICS BY
NADIA POWER continued her fine form by powering to victory in the 800m at the IFAM meeting in Belgium yesterday.
The Irish champion’s time of 2.02.83 was the second fastest time of her career indoors as she had almost a second to spare over Germany’s Tanja Spill.
It has been a breakthrough year for the Dublin woman (above) who broke the Irish record at the distance in her first outing of the season in January.
Power, 23, will next race in the 800m at the World Indoor Tour (Gold) in Torún, Poland on Wednesday 17 of February before focusing on the European Indoor Athletics Championships which take place in the same venue from March 5-7.
BOXING BY TOM HOPKINSON
JOSH KELLY has vowed to tick off David Avanesyan on Saturday — before doing the same to Conor Benn.
Kelly, 26, finally steps into the ring with the 32-year-old Russian this weekend, nearly 27 months after having to withdraw through illness on the morning of their originally planned clash.
They were due to meet again last March but the coronavirus pandemic prevented it.
Now they will go head-to-head at Wembley Arena for the European welterweight crown and, providing
RUGBY LEAGUE BY JULIE STOTT
RYAN HALL is desperate to make an impact at Hull KR after two injury-wracked years in the NRL.
But Rovers boss Tony Smith says the 33-year-old powerhouse winger is already packing a punch at training.
He said: “He is not a shy and reserved boy. He has been excellent and adds a lot to the squad and that was part of the appeal of him coming here.
“He has jumped at helping some of the younger players on our roster. We lost a couple of more senior players from last year SNOOKER BY NEIL GOULDING FORMER world champion Ken Doherty is convinced Stephen Hendry’s legacy will not be tarnished even if he fails to fire on his comeback.
The seven-time world champion accepted a two-year invitational wildcard to come back from his 2012 retirement.
But the Scot has yet to compete in a tournament this season, citing the coronavirus, computer glitches and date clashes for his delayed
KEN LAGAN
CARRICK RANGERS punched a big hole in Crusaders’ title hopes with a shock 3-1 win at Seaview yesterday.
Jonny Frazer (above) crashed a rising shot past Crues keeper Jonny
Tuffey in the 11th minute and while the home side huffed and puffed, it remained 1-0 the break.
Frazer doubled the dose five minutes into the second half, running on to Kyle Cherry’s pass to calmly beat Tuffey.
Clever footwork and a thumping finish from
Philip Lowry gave the Crues hope in the 77th minute but as they piled forward in search of an equaliser, Jordan Jenkins burst clear and was hauled down by Jordan Forsythe in the box. The Crusaders man was given his marching orders and Caolan Loughran sealed a memorable win for Carrick from the penalty spot.
Elsewhere, an 89th minute equaliser from
Adam McCallum earned Portadown a 1-1 draw with Cliftonville.
The first half was a non-event but things improved after the break and Rory Hale gave the visitors the lead on the hour mark, swivelling sharply before thumping a left-foot shot to the net.
Portadown refused to accept defeat, however, and claimed a point at the death thanks to McCallum’s brilliant header from a Ben Tilney corner.
BURNLEY left-back Robbie Brady has been targeted by Celtic on a pre-contract deal, according to reports.
The 29-year-old is out of contract at Turf Moor in the summer and boss Neil Lennon has the Ireland international high on his summer wishlist.
It looks set to be a huge rebuild at the end of the Premiership season at Celtic Park with Dominic McKay replacing Peter Lawwell and boss Lennon’s future up in the air as Rangers cruise to the title.
However, the gaffer appears to be planning for next season as he looks to lure Brady north of the border before he agrees as new deal with the Premier League side.
A move for Brady is seen by the club as “a key part of his future plans” and Lennon is very “keen” on a deal.
The former Man United starlet had spells with Hull and Norwich before moving to Burnley in 2017 and has been a key figure in the success achieved under Sean Dyche.
Greg Taylor has been Lennon’s preferred choice at left-back with AC Milan loanee Diego Laxalt left on the bench as he enters the final months of his temporary contract.
SCOTT PARKER is worried about a mass exodus from Fulham if they fail to retain their top-flight status.
The Cottagers, without a Premier League win since the end of November, have a whole posse of on-loan stars lining up for them every week.
And Parker accepts keeping the likes of RB Leipzig winger Ademola Lookman, Chelsea playmaker Ruben LoftusCheek and Paris SaintGermain keeper Alphonse Areola could be impossible if Fulham go down.
Ahead of today’s trip to Everton, he confirmed the outcome of the battle to beat the drop will be all-important in determining players’ futures.
The Craven Cottage chief said: “Yes, it will depend on exactly that.
“The pandemic, the uncertainty that brings, means it will come down to whether we’re in the Premier League.
“It’s an area I’m constantly aware of. You’re developing a team and a style and the last thing you want is a constant turnover of players and to keep starting over.
“At the same time, we came out of the Championship and the aim was to develop and stay in this division.
“We’re trying to do that with loan players. But there has to come a point when there needs to be a bigger view for us – where it can’t just be about relegation
“It’s a rollercoaster. Where your aim is high, decisions you take are sometimes very short term. I’m conscious of that.”
Parker, considered one of England’s brightest young coaches, faces Italian maestro Carlo Ancelotti, 61, at Goodison.
And Parker admits he is unlikely to be as suave as the Everton manager.
“I definitely see myself going at 61 still. I love every minute of it. But I don’t know I’m ever going to be as cool as Carlo,” he added.