SOCCER SHORTS:FORMER Celtic and Bristol City winger Evander Sno suffered a heart attack in a reserve match between his club Ajax and Vitesse Arnhem on Monday.
The 23-year-old had to be revived three times with a defibrillator after collapsing on the pitch.
A statement on the Ajax website said the player was conscious and responding to doctors in hospital in Arnhem. “Fortunately our doctor and physio were there quickly,” Ajax coach Albert van der Dussen said. “They have performed an heroic act and saved his life, he was very lucky.”
Sno fell to the ground 18 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute in Monday’s game and was treated on the pitch for more than 10 minutes before finally coming round.
“He looked surprised to see all those people there,” added Van der Dussen. “I dont think he realised what was going on but everyone was greatly relieved. The ambulance crew then took over and took him to hospital.”
Cahill’s red card appeal rejected
BOLTON defender Gary Cahills appeal against his dismissal in Saturdays loss at Arsenal has been rejected by the English FA. The centre back was sent off during Saturdays 4-1 defeat following a challenge on striker Marouane Chamakh. In confirming the appeals failure, the FA added: As a result, Cahills three-match suspension will remain and will be served with immediate effect.
FULHAM defender Chris Baird has signed a new deal running until the summer of 2013. The Northern Ireland international, who was signed from Southampton in the summer of 2007, played a key role as Fulham fought their way to the Europa League final last season. Baird made his first appearance of the season at the weekend as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 win over Wolves.
Trapattoni set to name squad for Euro qualifiers
GIOVANNI Trapattoni will name his Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Russia and Slovakia next Monday. With wins over Armenia and Andorra already under their belts, Ireland top Group B but the next two matches are likely to make or break the side’s qualification campaign.
Russia are first up, with Dick Advocaat’s side due at the Aviva Stadium on October 8th, before the trip to Slovakia on October 12th.
Uefa confirmed last month the match would be moved from Bratislava to the city of Zilina.
Dundalk’s “Man of the Match” in Monday’s 5-1 defeat of league leaders Shamrock Rovers, Daniel Keane, is one of four new players named in Paul Doolin’s Under-23 squad for the International Challenge Trophy match against Estonia in Tallinn on September 28th.
Bray’s Jake Kelly, Enda Stevens of Shamrock Rovers and Graham Cummins of Cork City were also called up.
Houllier to turn to McAllister
FORMER Coventry and Leeds manager Gary McAllister is Gerard Houlliers preferred choice for the assistant coach’s role at Villa Park. McAllister (45) has been first-team coach at Middlesbrough since May 2010. Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan told BBC Tees:
“There is (interest), Ill speak to Gary over the next couple of days.” Houllier described McAllister as “my most inspirational signing” when signing him for Liverpool in 2000. The new Villa manager Houllier has turned to the Scotsman after being turned down by other former Liverpool stars Phil Thompson and Dietmar Hamann as well as current Villa caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald, who will relinquish control of the first team after Saturday’s home match against Bolton.
O’Brien looking to play some football
BOLTON’S Republic of Ireland midfielder Joey O’Brien is desperate just to play football after fearing his career could be over. The 24-year-old has been sidelined for almost two years by a succession of injuries, one of which left him needing to have part of his kneecap removed.
O’Brien has not played for the club since the 0-0 draw with Blackburn on October 18th, 2008, but is now fit and hoping for a loan move to get some action under his belt.
He said: “I have spoken to the manager and it’s an option – but it’s whether a club wants me or not. We will have to wait and see.
“I have not been involved in the first team at the moment and have been playing reserve-team football, so it’s a step up to be playing competitive football in the Championship.
“The last two years have been pretty grim, but if someone had told me a year ago I would have to go out on loan to play football, I would have snapped their hand off because it didn’t look like I would ever play again.”
Mancini opts to stick with Hart
SHAY Given’s hopes of a first appearance of the season for Manchester City appear to have been dashed with manager Roberto Mancini opting to keep faith with his number one choice Joe Hart.
Given had expected to be afforded opportunities to prove his worth to the Italian in the Europa League and was tipped to start against Red Bull Salzburg tomorrow, even before Hart’s high-profile error at the weekend.
Given, who decided to stay and fight for his place at Eastlands, was reportedly given assurances by Mancini he would play during City’s League Cup and European campaigns. But Mancini has indicated he will stick with Hart, who was at fault for Blackburn’s goal at the weekend, in Austria, leaving Given to look on once more from the sidelines.
“This hasn’t shaken my belief in him. Joe’s a good keeper, like Shay.” Mancini insisted. “This situation can happen for a goalkeeper during the season. It doesn’t change my opinion of playing Joe on Thursday.”
Champions League for Kelly
ALAN KELLY will become the first Irish referee to take charge of a Champions League group stage match tonight when the Corkman oversees the Group E game between CFR Cluj of Romania and Switzerland’s Basel. Kelly will have an all Irish team of officials around him for the game, with Damian McGrath, Ken Hennessy, Anthony Buttimer and Neil Doyle working as his assistants, while Pádraig Sutton will serve as fourth official.
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