Paterson Heads to Huddersfield

 

 Northern Ireland striker Martin Paterson has moved to Huddersfield following the expiration of his contract at Burnley. The 26 year old had been offered a new contract at Turf Moor in May however he rejected the deal, instead opting to sign a two year deal with the Terriers.

 Since arriving at Burnley in 2008 Paterson has performed well but struggled with injuries. In his first season at Turf Moor the striker scored 19 goals in all competitions helping fire the Clarets to the Premier League through the play offs. However the following season he struggled with injuries as Burnley were relegated back to the Championship. Since then Paterson has continued to suffer injuries however he has still remained an important player for Burnley. A number of Championship clubs were rumoured to be after Paterson but it was Huddersfield who moved quickest to complete the deal.

 Paterson was pleased to have agreed a deal with Huddersfield and said “First and foremost, Huddersfield is a very good, respected and well run club and when an approach comes, you listen. The manager spoke to me and laid out his plans and importantly he talked about playing me in my position as a centre forward, so the decision became a no-brainer. That was a big factor in my decision to come here. I spent five years at Burnley and it was a good time, but now it is time to knuckle down and put myself back in the position of being one of the most dangerous strikers in the league. To do that, I need to play up front.  I have turned down opportunities at some other very good clubs to come here because I believe in what the manager is saying and I believe in the club.”

Bowe Returns From Injury to Start Second Test

 Ulster’s Tommy Bowe has completed a remarkable return from injury and will start the second test for the Lions against Australia after replacing Wales wing Alex Cuthbert. Bowe suffered a broken hand against the Queensland Reds and was expected to miss the rest of the tour. However he has made a remarkable recovery and will start on the wing as the Lions bid to make history by winning their first series since 1997.

 Bowe, who played in all three tests during the 2009 tour to South Africa, spoke of the emotional rollercoaster he has experienced during the tour. He said "It has been a real roller-coaster few weeks and I've done everything and anything to try to get it fixed. I've been taking protein shakes, calcium tablets, omega tablets and vitamins as well as having constant icing and physio two, three or four times a day. To go from seeing the fracture put up on the board, the X-Ray, to be shown the fracture spiral right through the bone and be told that that's pretty much my tour over to being told by the surgeon that he's had guys come back within three weeks was emotional. But that enabled me to get back for selection for the second Test. Then I had to go through all the physio and everything else to try and get myself back and available. It has been a bit of a roller coaster”.

 However Bowe was delighted that his hard work had paid off and that he would have the chance to pull on the Lions jersey in a test once again, with the chance of making history. He said "These are the sort of games that you want to be involved in. You play your career in rugby to play in big games. Getting injured is the hardest part of professional sport. Whenever you get picked to play in a match like this it makes it all worth it - as long as you win. That's the big thing and that's the motivation for us this weekend. The boys did all the hard work last weekend, it's the second half now and we need to come out with a good performance".

 Bowe was one of five changes to the team which won the first test in Brisbane. In the front and second row there were enforced changes with Mako Vunipola replacing the injured Alex Corbisiero at prop and Geoff Parling replacing another casualty in Paul O’Connell. Meanwhile in the back row Dan Lydiate comes in replacing Tom Croft, who moves to the bench to cover both the second row and the back row. The final change to the team came at scrum half with Ben Youngs replacing Mike Phillips after the Welshman’s poor showing in the first test.

Full Team: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 George North, 10 Jonny Sexton, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Sean O'Brien, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Alex Cuthbert

Ferris Agrees New Ulster Contract

 Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris has agreed a new contract to stay at Ravenhill. Ferris, who has not played since suffering an ankle injury against Edinburgh in November of last year, signed a sixth month contract. This will allow him to continue working with Ulster’s medical team and the strength and conditioning team, with the aim of making a return to playing for Ulster and signing a longer deal to remain in Belfast.

 Ferris has played 102 times for Ulster since making his debut in 2005. He quickly developed into a crucial member of the Ulster team and was vital in the run to the 2012 Heineken Cup final, putting in a heroic man of the match effort in the famous quarter final win against Munster at Thomond Park. However a spell of injuries led to Ulster management and fans alike becoming resigned to the prospect of losing the back rower. A lucrative move to Japan was on the cards so the news comes as a massive boost to the province.

 Ferris spoke of his delight following the signing of his new contract. He said “I am delighted that I can continue my recovery and rehab from injury within the Ulster Rugby set-up. I believe that working with the medical team at Ulster, along with the excellent strength and conditioning coaches, offers me the best chance of regaining full fitness and of representing Ulster and Ireland again.”

 Ulster’s Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, was also pleased with the news about Ferris. He said “Stephen has had a difficult year with the injuries that he has suffered, but when he is fit, there is no doubt that he is one of the best back-row forwards in the game. Stephen is passionate about playing for Ulster and Ireland and our aim in giving him this contract extension is to provide him with the best possible care to enable him to get back playing”.

Rankin Makes England Debut

 Northern Irish cricketer Boyd Rankin made his England debut during the T20 match against New Zealand at the Oval yesterday. The Londonderry born bowler has played 52 times for Ireland but decided to switch allegiances with the hope of representing England at test cricket.

 In his first over Rankin claimed the wicket of New Zealand opener James Franklin, with Jos Buttler claiming the catch. In the end he finished with figures of 1-24 off his four overs. Rankin’s performance however was not enough to help England to victory as they fell five runs short of New Zealand’s total of 201-4.

Maybin Secures Muirfield Spot

 

 Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin secured his spot at the 2013 Open Championship after finishing in a tie for third place at the qualification event at Sunningdale.  The Belfast born golfer shot rounds of 67 and 69 at the course in Berkshire to claim one of the 9 places available.

 The 32 year old was pleased to have the chance to play at his third open and said "My season has not been as good as I'd have liked so far so it's a good boost to qualify for a big money event like the Open. To play in majors is the pinnacle of golf and you want to test yourself at the highest level against the top players".

Lions Call Up Court

 Ulster prop Tom Court has been called up to the British and Irish Lions squad as cover for Alex Corbisiero. Predominately a loosehead, Court goes onto the replacements bench for Tuesday’s match against the Melbourne Rebels, replacing Mako Vunipola who is withdrawn.

 Court could potentially face the country of his birth if he is involved in either of the remaining two test matches. He was born in Brisbane, the venue of the first test, but qualifies to play for Ireland due to his grandparents. Court made his debut in 2009 and has since gone on to represent Ireland 32 times. He has also played 104 times for Ulster, including in the 2012 Heineken Cup Final.

 Court becomes the third Ulstermen to represent the Lions on this tour. He will join fellow front rower Rory Best on the bench for the match against the Melbourne Rebels. Meanwhile wing Tommy Bowe is set to complete a remarkable return from a hand injury he suffered against the Queensland Reds after Warren Gatland confirmed he would be fit for the second test.  

Magilton's New Role

 Former Northern Ireland midfielder Jim Magilton has taken up a new role with the Irish Football Association after being appointed Elite Performance Director. Magilton, who has been capped 52 times for Northern Ireland, will be responsible for the elite player development of boys and girls which involves the identification and development of talented young players, while he will also oversee the IFA’s coach education programme. Magilton will start the role on 1^st July and has agreed a four year contract.

 Magilton spoke about his appointment and said “I am very pleased and indeed honoured to have been offered this opportunity to join the Irish Football Association as Elite Performance Director. Player identification and development is a key part of the modern game and I am looking forward to getting started in my new role and to working with all the young players in Northern Ireland.  We must work collectively and strategically to ensure we cultivate the most talented players, both boys and girls, at all age groups in Northern Ireland and I believe that by doing this we can create a talent pipeline which will help to build successful and sustainable international squads of the future.”

 Magilton’s new role will see him work closely with Northern Ireland’s manager Michael O’Neil. The pair previously played international football together and Magilton worked as O’Neil’s assistant when he was manager at Shamrock Rovers. O’Neil told reporters “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Jim on board. I have known Jim for over 20 years and I know that he will be a huge asset to the Irish Football Association.  His experience as a player and a coach along with his knowledge and his ability to manage and implement coaching structures, will ensure that all our elite young players are identified and developed and in turn will bring through generations of international players for all our national teams”.