Times they are a changin'

Some of my recent work.

Young Canterbury prop signs with Irish club

Young Canterbury prop Rodney Ah You is moving to the Northern Hemisphere, after signing for Irish side Connacht. The 22-year-old has signed an 18-month deal at the Sportsground, Galway and will be expected to fill in for the absence of English International Robbie Morris - who is injured. Ah You heads off with a fierce reputation after lifting the IRB Junior Crown in 2007 and 2008 with New Zealand. He first came to the notice of Connacht coach Eric Elwood during his Baby Blacks appearances, including New Zealand’s 65-10 win over Ireland en route to the Kiwis’ 2008 world junior rugby title.
After only taking up rugby at the age of 16, Ah You quickly progressed through the ranks at Canterbury and was capped at Under-19 and Under-20 level for New Zealand.
The versatile tighthead prop, who can also play at loosehead, made his Canterbury debut last season.
His contract will see him remain in Ireland until the end of 2011/12 season.
Connacht have had an indifferent start to their European campaign this time around, losing in Italy against I Cavalieri Estra in Round 1 before bouncing back to beat Bayonne 16-13 in Round 2.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/itm-cup-heartland-championship/4286888/Young-Canterbury-prop-signs-with-Irish-club

IRELAND’S Tadhg Kennelly has already started some good-natured mind games ahead of the International Rules opener on Saturday. He texted his Swans team-mate and Australian captain – Adam Goodes – early last week cheekily boasting that he can’t wait to embarrass the Aussies in front of 80,000 Irish fans. Goodes took all in his stride – especially since his side are facing up to five players with AFL experience in the Irish squad – Tadhg Kennelly, Tommy Walsh, Marty Clarke, Colm Begley and Brendan Murphy. "There’s a little bit of banter," he smiled. "Kennelly reckons he can’t wait to embarrass us in front of 80,000 Irish supporters." Goodes trained with the round ball for the first time Saturday, but points to the soccer World Cup as a reason why the Aussies will adapt to the ball quicker than people think. He added: "The World Cup was on this year and in every footy club, the boys were playing soccer. A lot of us grew up playing soccer at school. For the boys who find it a bit strange, I’m sure after a few training sessions they’ll be ready." The captain, who represented Australia in the 2001 series, will be supported by three vice captains – Collingwood’s Dane Swan, Carlton’s Kade Simpson and the Western Bulldogs’ Matthew Boyd. "I’m really honoured by the position, to represent these young blokes because it is a huge thing," he said .

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/kennelly-begins-mind-games-133912.html#ixzz13tQ1kHKX

Environmental Martin - http://thepod.geek.nz/on-demand/ecoexpo10-martin/

News hound - http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/3978732/Third-crash-victim-confirmed

Ladies football - http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/4179331/Football-Ferns-humble-Vanuatu

Sonny Bill 'The Legend' Williams - http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/canterbury-earthquake/4167832/Quake-rugby-jersey-auction-fever

Pete Bethune - http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3954799/Bethune-future-still-unclear

NFL Div 2 Armagh v Kildare

NFL Division 2

Down 1-13 v Armagh 1-06

MARTIN CRUMMY

DOWN hammered fierce rivals Armagh by seven points last night, to cement their place as red hot favourites for promotion from Division Two.

Armagh wing back Finnian Moriarity got his second yellow card in the 33rd minute, compounding the visitor's poor first half in Pairc Esler.

A rip-roaring start to this local derby, saw Bennie Coulter rattle home to the net after only 50 seconds.

Danny Hughes floated a ball into the square and when Andy Mallon and goalkeeper Philip McEvoy jumped for the ball and missed it, Coulter was on hand to give his side a dream start.

And they bombed on from that opening goal, to open up a 1-3 to 0-0 lead after 5 minutes.

Scores from late inclusion Mark Poland, Martin Clarke and a well worked Coulter point, were body blows to their near neighbours.

It went from bad to worse for the Orchard County and their Down native manager, as they were 1-5 to no score down by the tenth minute. Martin Clarke's left footed effort from the left wing, the pick of the bunch.

Armagh were given a little belief in the 12th minute, when Stefan Forker won a penalty off Dan McCartan, with Steven McDonnell sending the keeper the wrong way.

James McCartan's men then shipped a blow when play marker Martin Clarke had to come off injured, but they got back on the scoring track with Coulter popping over an easy chance.

McDonnell, though, was doing his usual trick for the Armagh men, turning his marker - Brendan McArdle - and slotting over to put three between the sides.

By the half time whistle, the gap remained three points, but Armagh had lost a man with Moriarity getting his marching orders.

A major re-jig in the Orchard ranks at half time, saw Malachy Mackin come in for Forker, with Aaron Kernan moving to his usual wing back role.

It made little initial impact though, as the lead stayed constant for the hosts, with McDonnell and Conor Maginn trading points in the opening exchanges of the second half.

Midfielder Rodgers got his second of the day in the 48th minute, to leave the scores 1-9 to 1-5, with Armagh struggling to get past Down's defence, especially being a man light.

Further frees from Conor Maginn and a super right footed effort by Rodgers added to Armagh's woes, as Down were up 1-11 to 1-08 with ten minutes left.

Paddy O'Rourke's men tried for an elusive goal in the remaining minutes, but Down's defence held firm, to record a famous victory.

Scorers: Down: B Coulter 1-1, M Poland 0-3 (2f),A Rodgers 0-3 (1f), J Clarke 0-2 (1f), M Clarke 0-2 (1f), C Maginn 0-1, D Hughes 0-1,

Armagh: S McDonnell 1-3 (1f , 1pen), G Swift 0-2, F Moriarity 0-1,

Down: D Alder; D McCartan, B McArdle, D Rafferty; K McKernan, J Colgan, C Garvey; A Rodgers, K King; D Hughes, M Clarke, S Kearney; M Poland, J Clarke, B Coulter. Subs: C Maginn for M Clarke (inj) 21, C Laverty for J Clarke 47, A Brannigan for K McKernan 60, J McGovern for S Kearney 63, R Murtagh for M Poland 63,

Armagh: P McEvoy; A Mallon, B Donaghy, P Duffy; P Kernan, C McKeever, F Moriarity; R Austin, K Toner; J Feeney, A Kernan, G Swift; R Henderson, S McDonald, S Forker. Subs: C Vernon for R Henderson 20, M Mackin for S Forker HT, M Ferris for C McKeever 41, M McNamee for R Austin 56, T Kernan for J Feeney 60,

Referee: Martin Sludden (Tyrone)

Gaelic Star

RTE does the good thing

Paris, Wednesday Nov 18th - France v Ireland - a nation watches their soccer team strive to make it to South Africa this summer

Ireland, Wednesday Nov 18th - France v Ireland - media blackout

That was the reality, until lunchtime today when RTE saw the light, paid up the cash and allowed the nation to watch the biggest game in years.

France beware, Ireland can now watch the game live from the National Broadcaster, who they pay for ...wooo...

On the pitch the French are superior to us, but I bet they don't have an answer to Bill and the boys in the studio. John Giles could still do a job.

Irish Student Press

SOME new writing I have been doing is for the Irish Student Press

It is available in all schools around Ireland for 50cent. It is aimed at the kids in the school and I cover schools sports.

As the site says, "The latest issue of The Irish Student Press was distributed to 50,000 students on the 16th of Sept. Our next scheduled circulation dates are 14th of Oct., 11th of Nov. and 16th of Dec. 2009."

Some of my articles are below:

WORLD soccer legend – Pele - is coming to Ballymun Comprehensive School and your school could be there as well.

The brilliant Brazilian will be in Ireland next month with his charity ‘Goals For Life’, which he promised to set up after scoring his 1000th career goal in November 1969.

Now forty years later, Ireland is the first country outside of Brazil to participate in the fundraising drive which is aimed specifically at schools. Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and The Little Prince Children’s Hospital, Curitiba, Brazil will benefit directly.

And now you have the chance to be there as well, as schools from all over Ireland are being invited to take park in the former striker’s campaign.

As a school, you must raise a target of €2000 for the “Goals for Life” initiative and as a reward, schools will be invited to a special event taking place in Ballymun Comprehensive School on November 26th where Pele will appear and make a special presentation to schools who participate in the programme.

A teacher and two children from the first one hundred schools who achieve the target amount will be invited to the event and be presented – by Pele himself - with a limited number of unique medals commemorating each of Pele’s goals (1283). The sets of medals are currently valued at €1800 by collectors and sure to increase in value.

The schools can either keep the numbered medals or auction them off to raise even more funds.

The fun doesn’t stop there for soccer mad school kids, as a Futsal marathon to raise additional funds will also take place and this event is by invitation only and is aimed solely at school children and their teachers who have participated in the “Goals for Life” programme.

‘Pele’s day’ will conclude with a Gala Dinner at the Burlington at which the star will be the special guest and is expected to raise considerable funds for both children’s hospitals. Irish soccer team manager - Giovanni Trappattoni - will also be there.

“We are hoping to raise €1,000,000 for the ‘Goals for Life’ charity and help Irish hospitals in the process,” the European Ambassador for the Little Prince hospital Don Mullan told the Irish Student Press.

“All schools have to do is to get in contact with me and I have a DVD on the Goals for Life campaign, material for the teachers and photograph’s of the medals that they could collect.

“It is the 40th anniversary of Pele’s 1000th goal when he dedicated himself to helping to children – so it is great that he can spend it with Irish school children.”

Up to last week there were three schools signed up for the charity scheme, but it is still early days. To raise the profile, Don was on the Ryan Tubridy RTE Radio 1 show and has more media gigs lined up in the weeks leading up to the end of November.

To help schools reach the €2,000 target the organiser has included a cover letter with the information going out. In it, there are a number of ideas for raising the money including; a non-uniform day, a marathon soccer match, a sponsored penalty shoot-out and many more.

Mr Mullan added, “Schools know themselves the best way they can raise the cash, but we have given them some ideas in our cover letter.

“It is for a great cause and at the end of the day some of the kids and a teacher can get to shake the hand of the probably the best soccer player –ever – Pele.”

For more information and to start collecting the money needed to meet Pele, contact Mr Don Mullan on 0872389341, email dmullan@hpp.org.br or you can call 1890507508 for details on gala dinner tickets.

Calasanctius

MARTIN CRUMMY

RANKED 15th in the world, basketball at Calasanctius College Oranmore is at an all time high.

Chosen by Basketball Association of Ireland to represent the country at the World Schools Basketball Championships - they didn’t let themselves or the school or the country down - coming 15th in the competition.

The 2009 schools basketball season proved to be an all-time high for the school on the courts and it was topped off when they got the nod to head to Turkey last May.

The girls who went from the school were from the U16 basketball team and they came up against teams from 27 different countries.

They left Dublin airport on Saturday May 2nd, with a large delegation from Oranmore including, the 12 team members, accompanied by their coaches, two teachers, 11 parents and two little brothers.

There first match came around very quickly – with little sleep had by the Irish travelling party.

On Monday May 4th the girls played Belgium, but despite a valiant effort they lost 51 to 48. However they were soon to bounce back as they won the most important match of the day by defeating Estonia. This match decided what division our team would play in for the rest of the week and a 62 to 40 win was very much welcomed.

But there no rest there for the Calasanctius team as they took on Luxembourg the next day. Unfortunately, lady luck wasn’t on their side and they lost by the narrowest of margins - 43 to 47.

In this match there was a significant rise in performance levels with Catríona Foley, Ciara Newell, Ailish O’Reilly, Kate Lyons and Sarah Reynolds all showing their potential.

After such a demoralising defeat behind them, a game against tournament favourites – Turkey – just came too soon for the girls and they were beaten for the second time that day.

A day’s break was welcome, but it was back to the courts on Thursday May 7th where Israel sneaked in a precious win against an unlucky Irish side 65 to 59. But again the girls rose to the occasion in the most important match of the day when they defeated Poland 68 to 55.

It was coach Joe Shields birthday the next day – but he couldn’t bring any cheer to the courts as a sleek Slovakia won by 15 points – the Irish team effort wasn’t helped by the unlucky Catríona Foley, who dislocated her nose.

However the injury count wasn’t to end there as the next day - Saturday May 9th - Lua Rahmani was brought to hospital with her nose broken. Ireland held on though and won this match against Latvia, scoring 63 points to their 57.

In the end, the Irish watched the finals from the stands as Spanish girls defeated Turkey while the Turkish boys claimed victory over Serbia.

It was an experience, though, the girls will never forget.

“This was a unique honour for the girls, our school and their mentors and coaches, Joe Shields & Mary Rockall,” began Principal Joe Harrison.

“Calasanctius College has a well-established link with Maree Basketball Club that goes back a long number of years. We have achieved many national honours; so much so that this school’s reputation in basketball, boys & girls, is the envy of many schools across the country.

“For this we are very grateful.”

Team and mentors who went to Turkey:

Joe Shields (coach), Lua Rahmani, Kate Lyons, Caitriona Foley, Sorcha Connolly, Sarah Reynolds, Sarah Drislane, Mary Rockall. Aoife Fogarty, Vanessa Brennan, Aoife Greally, Ailish O’Reilly, Ciara Newell, Helena Lyons (coach)

Sunday, 20 September 2009

Man Utd v Man City , 13.30

MARTIN CRUMMY

THE aristocrats of Manchester have a new challenge. The blue half of the city has been transformed by money and now comes the real test.

Manchester City have flexed their financial muscle this summer, bringing big name, proven Premier League players in.

It has resulted in a controlled start to the season and a place towards the top four of the Premier League.

That is the aim for Mark Hughes and his new side, to break into the top four and make a mark with their millions of pounds.

Come Sunday, in the Theatre of Dreams, things will come to a head.

Already this season there has been tensions in the city as both sides have gone through transition.

Alex Ferguson claimed during pre-season that he saw no threat from the Man City revolution, saying, “small club with a small mentality.” In cheeky retaliation, posters of Carlos Tevez in the blue of city were put up with the slogan, ‘Welcome to Manchester.’

It was meant to annoy Ferguson and co. and this could just come to mean something when the two sides come head to head in the Manchester derby.

Manchester United have been steady in their early defence of their crown, but a defeat to Burney will be worry, especially since they seemed to lack the imagination to break down a resolute defence.

Without Ronaldo there is a worry that the goals and flare in tight games will be missing. To counter this, Wayne Rooney is in his natural centre forward position and has responded with goals.

The jury, though, remains out on Ferguson’s other summer signings namely Michael Owen and the quiet Antonio Valencia.

In contrast City have managed to blend into a somewhat coherent unit despite spending over €150 million on new talent.

Irish star Stephen Ireland has played his part, continuing his fine form for last season and proving a top-class link man between defence and attack.

Gareth Barry has shored up midfield, allowing an attacking trio of Robinho, Adebayor and Tevez to weave their magic.

As of yet the three haven’t caught fire, but they have done enough to win games, with fringe players like Craig Bellamy and Martin Petrov playing their part instead of Robinho.

Remember talent like Roque Santa Cruz, Brazilian left back Silviho and last seasons hard man Vincent Kompany still have to make an appearance in the 2009 league.

Manchester City will challenge this season but need to keep big stars like Robinho happy and away from the clutches of Barcelona.

As for the red half of the city, they have to do what they do every year and put their trust in Mr Ferguson to mould another team around Rooney.

If that happens then the status quo will be kept in the city, but if the blues get the upper hand, all we can do is stand back and watch the Manchester fireworks.

Laptops, soccer and the hols

It's been a hectic few months and the lack of blogging on my part can be easily explained.

1. I got engaged.
2. My laptop gave up the ghost. To be fair, it was a miracle it lasted so long, as the keyboard went about 2 years ago.
3. Went on holidays with no internet for 2 weeks.

Now I have a fancy netbook. It is something I would definitely recommend and it is super fast.

It is actually the best option for journalists on the move.

If you are reporting on a game and you have to go get quotes, pop the small netbook under arm and away you go to the mixed zone. It starts up fast, shuts down fast and is easy to use.

There can be some issues with word processing but Microsoft Word is the best if you can get it. Otherwise a free download is jarte. It is small and does all you need, especially if you are pasting the copy into the email for a newspaper.

On hols the EEE PC didn't come with. Instead it was sun, sea and dorada.

I missed the Ireland game v France, but got updates high up in the sky by the kind pilot and then rang the minute we landed.

Figures crossed for Wednesday night. We need an early goal, but a clean sheet could be beyond us. Here is hoping. I have a ticket for it... but the price - especially just after my holiday - is just too much.

The Mighty Dubs

It was pleasure rather than work for me at Croke Park yesterday. But it turned out to be painful viewing as Kerry ran away with their All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin.

They were awesome and I see today they are marginal bookies favourities to lift Sam.

Boylesports All Ireland Football Championship Outrights (odds from 27/07/09 in brackets)

11/8 Kerry (9/2)

7/5 Tyrone (13/8)

4/1 Cork (4/1)

12/1 Mayo (8/1)

35/1 Meath (33/1)

Paul Galvin had the best 20 minutes this season on poor Bryan Cullen. He spoke in the Sunday Independent about being more mean and aggressive like he was in his youth. But that all evaporated on the dodgie soil in Jones Road at 2.15pm yesterday. He was - as the man would say - roasted!

The Gooch got the plaudits but between Galvin and Dara O'Se the game was won by the Kingdom.

It is a weird place Croke Park when 60,000 - odd Dublin supporters are silent as their team get a good hiding. They don't some Dublin supporters 'Sunshine Dubs' for nothing and they roundedly booed their heroes off the pitch at half-time and full-time. One bad game and suddenly Keaney and the Brogan's are bad players in some Cusack Stand pundits.

Two quotes of the day from 'true' Dubs:

"We would be better to support the hurlers....."

"At least there will be no phone calls and scrambling for tickets anymore this summer."