WEEKEND TAKEAWAYS
MILLER FONDLY REMEMBERED
THE soccer community far and wide was rocked by the news of Liam Miller’s untimely passing on Friday, but it was heartening to see supporters from across the globe coming together to remember the former Ireland international.
An impeccable minute’s silence was observed in Oriel Park yesterday as Cork City returned to action against Dundalk, and in the 22nd minute, the crowd rose to their feet for a minute’s applause, which rung out around the ground.
Miller wore 22 on his jersey during his time with his home-town club.
Over at St James’ Park, the Man United fans sung “There’s only one Liam Miller,” while the players, like Cork and Dundalk, wore black armbands as a mark of respect.
At an incredibly difficult time for Miller’s young family, you hope that in time, they will be able to take some sort of comfort from the poignant tributes.
MEDIA RELATIONS SOUR FURTHER
FOR the first time in Joe Schmidt’s 52-game tenure, the Ireland coach refused to hold his usual post-match briefing with the daily newspapers after Saturday’s win over Italy.
While Ireland are flying on the pitch, off it, relations with the media are not good.
Notice of Schmidt not following his normal protocol was relayed by the IRFU prior to kick-off, without any specific reason given.
It all appears to be part of a wider strategy from the IRFU, in which access to coaches and players has been reduced.
On the back of MTK Global boycotting Irish media and Martin O’Neill’s beef with Tony O’Donoghue, it seems that the issue is not exclusive to rugby.
Over the weekend, we also saw Roy Hodgson launch a bizarre foul-mouthed rant during a television interview.
Schmidt’s issue comes at a time when Irish Rugby is in a good place as his side lead the Six Nations and three of the four provinces have European quarter-finals to look forward to.
You dread to think how bad the situation would be if things weren’t going as well on the pitch . . .
SPARE A THOUGHT FOR DE GEA
HOW long more can the best goalkeeper in the world tolerate having a centre-back partnership of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones playing in front of him?
Yesterday’s 1-0 defeat against a poor Newcastle United side was the latest in a long line of kicks in the teeth.
For someone who is at the peak of his powers, De Gea is regularly being let down by his wobbly defence and one wonders how much patience he has left.
The 27-year-old’s contract is up at the end of the season and Real Madrid continue to monitor the situation closely.
Manchester United can ill-afford to lose De Gea but unless they shore up their defence or rather, Jose Mourinho signs a couple of decent centre-halves in the summer, the Spanish shot-stopper may be headed for the exit.
RUSSIANS STAND UNITED AS ONE
AS IF to rub salt into the wounds, a Russian speed skater was quick to dedicate his medal at the Winter Olympics to his banned compatriots.
Semen Elistratov won his country’s first medal for the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) team and he didn’t miss his chance to stand up for athletes who are banned from the games.
Elistratov is one of 169 Russians competing as a neutral for the OAR team and after he won bronze, he declared: “I have difficulties to hold back my tears. I am incredibly happy that I did it, in spite of all the circumstances around Russian sport.
“I dedicate this medal to all guys that have been excluded from these Games in such a hard and unfair way. This medal is for you.”
However, his remarks may well land him in hot water as athletes are not allowed to make political statements.
An investigation has been launched.
DOWLING’S SKILL TO BE APPLAUDED
ON what was another action-packed sporting weekend, there weren’t many high-class moments better than Shane Dowling’s spectacular goal in Na Piarsaigh’s stunning win over Slaughtneil.
To pull that off in training is one thing, to do it with the stakes so high in an All-Ireland semi-final was truly special.
You can be sure that every youngster at training this week will be trying to replicate Dowling’s audacious piece of skill.
Hard work always pays off. The Limerick man has struggled with a knee injury recently and his relentless hunger was evident in how he blocked down the goalkeeper before flicking the sliotar over the defender’s head and finishing first time.
There were plenty of red cards in the GAA over the weekend but away from the nasty side of the game, Dowling’s moment of magic was a reminder of everything that is good about sport.