Sports Digest

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Hibernian closing in on Fenlon

SOCCER: There was a growing belief in Scotland last night that Bohemians boss Pat Fenlon is about to be named the new manager of SPL side Hibernian.

Michael O’Neill, a former player at the club, is also rumoured to be amongst the main candidates while Danny Lennon, who is currently at St Mirren said that he is in talks with his current employers about extending his deal there.

Fenlon previously came close to taking over at Dundee United but a compensation package could not be agreed between the two clubs and the move fell through.

The issue would not arise this time and the 42-year-old is likely to take the chance to go if it is offered.

Fenlon’s outstanding managerial career began with Shelbourne; he led the club to three league titles in four years. He also led Bohemians to a league/cup double in 2008 and back-to-back titles in 2009.

Rodgers inspires rampant Packers

NFL: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers produced a four-touchdown masterpiece as the unstoppable Green Bay Packers crushed the Minnesota Vikings 45-7 on Monday night, the home team improving to 9-0 and extending their best start since 1962.

Rodgers, who has electrified with MVP-like performances this season, also extended his NFL-leading touchdown pass total to 28 in another superb outing that included 250 passing yards and just seven incomplete passes.

“We just have so much momentum right now and a lot of confidence,” said Rodgers after the Super Bowl champions extended their winning streak across two seasons to 15 games.

“No disrespect to our competition, we take the field and we know it’s about us.”

Packers ed 17-0 at half-time against the hapless Vikings (2-7), who remain mired to the bottom of the NFC North division.

Pakistan's victory leaves Ireland facing an uphill task

CRICKET:Ireland are now facing a difficult uphill task if they are to secure one of the four places on offer at the Women's World Cup after losing to Pakistan in their second game at the qualifying event in Bangladesh yesterday, writes Emmet Riordan.

In a fixture they had targeted from the outset, Ireland put in an improved batting performance from their opening defeat to West Indies, but their bowling didn’t cause Pakistan too may problems as they went on to win comfortably by eight wickets.

Having won the toss and batted, Ireland again suffered an early blow as they lost Clare Shillington without scoring in the first over before Cecelia Joyce and Jill Whelan put on 46 for the second wicket.

Pakistan’s Sadia Yousuf broke the partnership when she ended Joyce’s innings on 19 and the impressive left-arm spinner would go on to take four wickets for 19 runs, with the last nine wickets all going to spin as struggling Ireland were bowled out for 140.

Jill Whelan and 13-year-old leg-spinner Elena Tice did take wickets in Pakistan’s reply, but an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 56 between Javeria Khan (41 not out ) and Bismah Maroof (22 not out) saw them home with over 100 balls to spare.

Ireland enjoy a rest day today before taking on Japan tomorrow and hosts Bangladesh on Friday, games they must win to remain in with a chance of qualifying.

Olympic torch may visit Dublin

OLYMPIC GAMES:London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe has said the Olympic torch relay should go through Dublin.

Dublin has not been announced as one of the places that the Olympic Flame will visit in the run-up to the start of the London Games, but Coe told British MPs that “we are in advanced conversation” over the issue.

“I don’t want to go into particular details. I have spent a lot of time on this, both in Northern Ireland and in conversations with the Republic.”

The torch is being taken to four places in Northern Ireland – Belfast, Derry, Coleraine and Newry.

If the southern leg goes ahead, the torch could be brought to Dublin on June 6th after a symbolic border crossing at Newry marking the peace process.

Several areas in Dublin City could be included in the projected torch route – including the

Garden of Remembrance and Croke Park.

No pay cheques for NBA players

BASKETBALL: National Basketball Association players didn't get their first pay cheques of the season yesterday. NBA Commissioner David Stern said they may not get the rest either, after they dissolved their union on Monday. Under the labour agreement that expired 139 days ago, most of the league's players received 1/12th of their salaries on November 15th of each season.

With average salaries last season at €3.8million, that’s a €315,000 payday. The date arrived this year with no new deal after negotiations collapsed and the National Basketball Players Association said it was disbanding as a union to allow for antitrust lawsuits against the league.

Stern responded to the union’s announcement by saying in a statement: “There will ultimately be a new collective bargaining agreement, but the 2011-12 season is now in jeopardy.”

Without a union, players can sue the NBA and pursue a solution to the stalemate in the courts.