A round-up of today's other news in brief
Mulligan injury blow for Leitrim
GAELIC GAMES: New Leitrim joint managers Barney Breen and George Dugdale, who already had to deal with the loss of four defenders to emigration, have been dealt another big blow before a ball has been kicked this season.
Free-taker Emlyn Mulligan has to undergo knee surgery and will miss the opening weeks of the campaign but hopes are high the forward will return during the league.
Muligan ruptured both cruciate ligaments in his knees in recent seasons and has battled back, but according to Breen, it is not as serious this time.
“Emlyn has had a scan on a knee problem and it look like he will be out for a few weeks. He has a problem with the cartilage in his knee and we are just waiting to see the extent of the injury. It looks like he will miss the opening two rounds of the national league anyway,” said Breen.
There is a further setback for the team with Glencar/Manorhamilton clubman Brian McDonald also out for four or five weeks through injury.
Under-20s set for Dubarry Park
RUGBY: The Irish U-20 side will again be based at Dubarry Park in Athlone for the Six Nations. The side, which will again be coached by Mike Ruddock, will open their campaign against Wales on February 3rd and then travel to play France in Grenoble on February 11th.
They will have further home ties against Wales (February 24th) and Scotland (March 9th) before concluding away to England at Adams Park on March 16th. In June, the side will compete in the Junior World Championship in South Africa, where they will share a pool with England, South Africa and Italy.
Meanwhile, just one game has been scheduled for the Irish Wolfhounds, against England Saxons at Sandy Park, home of Exeter Chiefs, on January 28th.
Bresnan a major doubt for England
CRICKET: Tim Bresnan has been rated as “unlikely” to feature in England’s first tour match in the United Arab Emirates due to an elbow injury.
The Yorkshire all-rounder, who underwent elbow surgery last month, suffered minor discomfort at net practice on Wednesday and the England medical team have announced that he is a major doubt to feature in tomorrow’s warm-up match against an ICC Affiliate and Associate XI .
Khan reopens debate over his defeat
BOXING: Amir Khan has reopened the debate over his defeat to Lamont Peterson by accusing an unidentified man of “interfering” with the judges at ringside.
Khan’s appeal against the controversial points decision in December will be held later this month, with the Bolton fighter unhappy with the performance of referee Joe Cooper – who deducted two points from Khan for pushing – and alleged irregularities with the scorecards. But the 25-year-old yesterday pre-empted the appeal by using his Twitter account to send out a number of images of the fight in Washington. The 2004 Olympic silver medallist is concerned about the appearance of the man, unknown to him, at ringside during his defeat to hometown fighter Peterson, which cost him his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles.
Khan claimed the man should not have been talking to fight supervisor Michael Welsh. Khan posted on Twitter, in a series of messages:
“I want Michael Walsh to come out and speak out about what was going on, its only right and fair to do so.”
South Africa close in on win as Sri Lanka collapse
CRICKET: South Africa closed in on a series-clinching win over Sri Lanka after taking 12 wickets on a one-sided third day of the decisive third Test in Cape Town yesterday.
Sri Lanka collapsed from 149 for two overnight to 239 all out and, following on, were 138 for four at the close, still 203 runs behind.
Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn took three first-innings wickets apiece as South Africa seized control of the match early on.
And the second innings of dangermen Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were all ended before stumps to leave their side facing a huge task to save the match and the series.
Philander had Dilshan caught behind by Mark Boucher for five and Jacques Kallis removed fellow opener Lahiru Thirimanne for 30, Hashim Amla taking the catch off bat and pad at short leg.
Sri Lanka’s hopes now rest with Angelo Mathews (28 not out) and Thilan Samaraweera (19no).
