Soccer

The Morning Sports Briefing

Keano to play on, Chelsea and City hots up, injury concerns for Munster and selection concerns for all the provinces, Eamon O’Hara a manager and Páraic Duffy to resume

Robbie Keane at the announcement of a friendly match between Shamrock Rovers and LA Galaxy this week, he announced there’ll be no Premier League return for him. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

Tue Dec 23 2014 - 08:15

Soccer: Keane to stay on until 2018

Ireland's record goalscorer Robbie Keane has all but ruled out a "mid-winter" return to the Premier League. Despite mounting reports linking him to moves to Aston Villa and QPR, with the respective manager's both keen, the LA Galaxy striker confirmed to Emmet Malone that given his intentions to play on for four more years such would not be feasible.

In last night's Premier League match Chelsea returned to the top of the table with a 2-0 over Stoke City at the Britannia.

An early John Terry goal was followed up by a late Cesc Fabregas effort, although in a physical encounter the scoreline doesn’t reflect the Stoke effort.

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The win re-opens the three point gap over second-placed Manchester City, and their goalkeeper and stand-in captain Joe Hart expects the two-horse title race to go all the way in 2015.

Rangers and SFA to discuss ownership

There's been no let-off for Rangers fans this Christmas season. Following manager Ally McCoist's resignation the club face charges over the increasing influence of shareholder Mike Ashley. The club's chief executive has had to deny being on the payroll of the Newcastle United chairman as the Scottish FA hold informal talks with the Ibrox club.

Rugby: More bad news for Munster

Munster have been hit by a double-whammy ahead of their St Stephen's day match with Leinster as captain Peter O'Mahony remains an injury doubt and Australian centre Andrew Smith has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury.

Meanwhile Leinster forwards' coach Leo Cullen has revealed that he's still unsure over the availability of the province's International players for the festive clash. In trying to balance player welfare concerns after a busy 2014 and ahead of a World Cup year, whilst keeping spectators content and of course both teams trying to win the game, Cullen admits the Irish management have a tough decision to make although he has his concerns over the important fixture losing out.

GAA: Latest managerial appointment

Less than a week after former Roscommon goalkeeper Shane Curran was confirmed in his first managerial position, and Sligo great Eamon O'Hara has followed suit.

Meanwhile Páraic Duffy is poised to continue for another seven-year term as director general of the GAA.

Racing: Ruby wants festive joy

Ruby Walsh believes the step up to three miles will suit Champagne Fever and that the Willie Mullins-trained grey will be on his best form for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day

The three-times Grade One scorer has impressed since thoughts turned to chasing but he has yet to compete over the King George distance.

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