Northern Ireland 1-0 Russia

 Northern Ireland produced a fantastic performance to defeat Russia in a 2014 World Cup Qualifier on another memorable night at Windsor Park. The victory was Northern Ireland’s first in two years and also manager Michael O’Neil’s first since taking up the role.

 Northern Ireland were quickly out of the blocks with Niall McGinn attempting an ambitious volley which flew wide while Martin Paterson tested Igor Akinfeev in the Russian goal. However Russia also pressed forward and after Alan Dzagoev worked an opening in the box it required a brilliant sliding tackle from Gareth McAuley to deny him.

 As half time approached Northern Ireland had what seemed to be the best chance of the first half. Quick thinking Daniel Lafferty took a quick free kick just inside the Russian half. He passed to Jamie Ward who powered towards the Russian goal and unleashed a shot which rattled the post before Paterson was unable to bundle the rebound in.

 The Green and White Army where in full voice, buoyed by their teams impressive first half display, and moments after Ward’s chance they were celebrating their side taking the lead.  McGinn showed his pace to reach a long ball down the right before whipping a cross into the box. Paterson climbed highest in the box and headed the ball into the Russian goal to send Windsor Park wild.

 In the 58^th minute Paterson thought he had added a second after he headed in following Craig Cathcart’s header back across goal however it was disallowed for offside. Russia looked to make the most of their reprieve but they were unable to break through Northern Ireland’s resilient defence which meant that at the full time whistle it was Northern Ireland who could celebrate another famous victory.  

Released Players to Miss Russia Match

 Michael O’Neil chose to omit Chris Baird, David Healy and Pat McCourt from his Northern Ireland squad for the rearranged World Cup qualifier against Russia on August 14^th. All three players were released by the former clubs at the end of last season and are currently without a club. Baird was released by Fulham and speculation had seen him linked with Queens Park Rangers however so far the move has not developed. Meanwhile McCourt has been training with Hibernian following his release by Celtic while Healy has been without a club since Bury released him.

 Despite their omissions from the squad O’Neil has refused to suggest this is the end of their international careers and stated that they would be in contention for a recall when their club career had been sorted out. He said “I think it is very difficult for any of our players who are unattached at the minute, and having spoken to the players themselves, they are in full agreement with that”. He also added “It would be difficult to bring in players who haven’t had a proper pre-season” and “it would be unrealistic to ask those players to have any sort of impact or influence on an international fixture”.

 Midfielder Chris Brunt is another notable absentee. The midfielder misses out through suspension as a result of the late booking he picked up in the last qualifier against Israel. Another midfielder, Sammy Clingan, also misses out through injury. However striker Kyle Lafferty returns to the squad having missed the last qualifier against Israel due to suspension.

Full squad: Carroll (Olympiacos), Mannus (St. Johnstone), Hughes (Fulham), McGivern (Hibernian), Cathcart (Blackpool), McAuley (West Brom), D Lafferty (Burnley), J Evans (Manchester United), Bruce (Hull), Davis (Southampton), Norwood (Huddersfield), McGinn (Aberdeen), Ferguson (Newcastle), C Evans (Blackburn), McCann (Peterborough), Ward (Derby), Grigg (Brentford), McKay (Inverness), Paterson (Huddersfield), K Lafferty (Palermo)

Taylor Takes Up Northern Ireland Coaching Role

 Maik Taylor has taken up the role as Northern Ireland’s goalkeeping coach for the remainder of the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.  The 41 year old, who is Northern Ireland’s second most capped goalkeeper, takes over the role from Tommy Wright, who stepped down from the role in June after being appointed St Johnstone manager.

 Taylor, who has played 88 times for Northern Ireland, recently completed his UEFA B Licence and UEFA A Licence in Belfast. He was delighted to take up his new role and said “I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to become involved with the squad. I always enjoyed playing for Northern Ireland and to now have the chance to come in and work with the goalkeepers for the remaining five games in the World Cup qualifying campaign is just fantastic”. However despite gaining his first coaching role Taylor has no intentions on giving up playing just yet. He added “I am actively looking to play for another season, however nothing has come about at the moment and getting the opportunity to become involved with the Northern Ireland squad is one I didn’t want to miss out on”.

 Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neil was also pleased with the appointment of Taylor. O’Neil told reporters “I am delighted that Maik has agreed to take on the role of goalkeeping coach for the senior squad for the remained of the World Cup qualifying campaign. He is a truly excellent professional and his experience will be invaluable in ensuring that our goalkeepers are well prepared and in the right frame of mind. Maik has been a great servant for Northern Ireland and I know he has the drive and initiative to really make a big contribution to the squad”.

Ireland in Pool B for 2015 Cricket World Cup

 The pool stage draw for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted in Australia and New Zealand, saw Ireland placed in Pool B. They will be joined in Pool B by defending champions India, who triumphed over Sri Lanka in the 2011 final, and India’s fierce rivals Pakistan, who won the 1992 World Cup, the last time the competition was hosted in Australia and New Zealand. Also confirmed in the group are South Africa, the West Indies and Zimbabwe. The final spot in the seven team group will be filled by a qualifier.

 Meanwhile Pool A features Ashes rivals England and Australia. They are joined by Australia’s co-hosts New Zealand, as well as Sri Lanka, who lost the 2011 final. There will also be two qualifiers in the group.

 Ireland will begin their campaign against the West Indies on 16^th February at the Saxton Oval in Nelson. Ireland will then travel across the Tasman Sea for a match against the qualifier at the Gabba on 25^th February, before heading to the Canberra for a match against South Africa on 3^rd March. After the match against the Proteas they will return to New Zealand for a match in Hobart against Zimbabwe on 7^th March. Three days later Ireland will face defending champions India in Hamilton. They will then conclude their pool stage with a match against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval on 15^th March. The top four teams in each pool will advance to the quarter finals which take place between 18^th and 21^st March before the quarter final winners play the semi-finals on 24^th and 26^th March. The two teams who emerge victorious from the semi-finals will travel to Melbourne Cricket Ground for the final where the 2015 Cricket World Cup champions will be crowned.

Ireland’s Pool B Fixtures

Ireland v West Indies – 16^th February 2015 – Saxton Oval, Nelson, New Zealand

Ireland v Qualifier – 25^th February 2015 – The Gabba, Melbourne, Australia

Ireland v South Africa – 3^rd March 2015 – Manuka Oval, Canberra, Australia

Ireland v Zimbabwe – 7^th March 2015 – Bellerive Oval, Hobart, New Zealand

Ireland v India – 10^th March 2015 – Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand

Ireland v Pakistan – 15^th March 2015 – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia

Hoey Holds On For Glory

 Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey secured victory at the Russian Open following a two under par final round. The golfer from Belfast finished four shots clear of France’s Alexandre Kaleka and England’s Matthew Nixon to secure his fifth European Tour title.

  Hoey went into the final round with a five shot lead after shooting a seven under par 65 during the penultimate round at the Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club. However despite taking a large lead into the final round it was not all plain sailing for the Ulsterman who saw his lead cut to only two shots at one point during his final round. However Hoey held his nerve, achieving a birdie at the 17^th to effectively secure his first win on the European Tour since claiming the Hassan Trophy over a year ago.

Hoey was delighted with his victory and stated “I have absolutely loved the golf course this week.  It's pretty amazing to think that I have won five European Tour titles. It is a great feeling to win and every time you do it you just want more and more. It has given me a great boost. I am not the most consistent player in the world but when I get into these positions I usually do okay”. He also credited the importance of his putting, saying "the putting was the key for me. I have been working hard on that a lot recently and the improvement is really showing because I made a lot of birdies. That is the main difference at this level. You have to be able to make a lot of putts because the standard is so high these days that it usually comes down to who makes the most putts”. 

Tigers First Up For Ulster

 Ulster will start their 2013-14 Heineken Cup campaign with a home game against Leicester Tigers on Friday 11^th October. The match against the Aviva Premiership champions promises to be a tough start to a difficult group for Ulster, however they will be hoping for a similar result to the 41-7 thumping they gave their English opponents when the sides last met in Europe’s premier competition back during the 2011-12 competition. Eight days after playing the Tigers Ulster will travel to France to face last season’s quarter finalists Montpellier. The match at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir will be the first time the two sides have met in the Heineken Cup.

 Rounds three and four see Ulster face Italian and fellow Rabo-Direct Pro 12 side Treviso in back to back matches. The first of these will be on Saturday 7^th December at Ravenhill before the Ulstermen travel to Italy for the reverse fixture a week later.  

 The final two rounds of fixtures will see Ulster welcome Montpellier to Belfast on the weekend of 10/11/12 January, a match which will see former Ulster wing Timoci Nagusa return to Ravenhill. Ulster will then conclude their pool stage with a visit to Welford Road to face Leicester Tigers, a match which could potentially prove crucially to the outcome of the pool.

Fixtures

Friday 11th October 20:00 – Ulster Rugby v Leicester Tigers

Saturday 19th October 16:40 – Montpellier Herault Rugby v Ulster Rugby

Saturday 7th December 18:00 – Ulster Rugby v Benetton Treviso

Saturday 14th December 14:35 – Benetton Treviso v Ulster Rugby

10/11/12 January 2014 – Ulster Rugby v Montpellier Herault Rugby

17/18/19 January 2014 – Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby

Lafferty's Italian Job

 Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty has moved to Italy after joining Serie B side Palermo. Lafferty, who has scored 9 international goals, leaves Swiss side FC Sion to head to Sicily. The Enniskillen born forward will team up with new Palermo manager Gennaro Gattuso, who he worked with previously in Switzerland.

 Lafferty only moved to Switzerland a year ago after he left Rangers following the financial turmoil at Ibrox. During his season in Switzerland he scored 8 goals, helping the club to 6^th place in the league and a cup semi-final.  Previously Lafferty had scored 31 goals during his four year spell in Scotland.

 Lafferty told the press that he was pleased to move to Italy and had been close to joining Palermo during the January transfer window. He said “I'm delighted to be here. Palermo tried to sign me in January but unfortunately we couldn't close the deal. Now I can't wait to get started. When I was younger I watched a lot of Italian football and I know there's a very passionate fan base here at Palermo”. He also credited his new manager saying "Obviously it was Gattuso who played a big part in persuading me to move to Palermo, he spoke to me about a few things where they want to be and hopefully I can go over there and score a few goals and help them win the league and put them back into Serie A. He has been brilliant for myself, he was one of the best players in the world and just his attitude in training and off the pitch he always wants to win. When he wanted me sign it was definitely a yes from me and I can't wait to get started and work under him".