Celtic and Rangers denied entry to Premier League

It should have been inevitable. Bolton Wanderers chairman, Phil Gartside, and his proposal to include the Old Firm teams in a new two-tiered Premier League were rebuked by at least fourteen clubs on Thursday. The exclusion of the Glasgow clubs will be mourned by those associated with the clubs but should be celebrated by the Scottish Premier League and the Premier League alike.

It is difficult to see how the SPL would have survived the departure of the two clubs who have run, what is essentially a monopoly, on league titles for decades. Teams such as Hibernian, Hearts and Aberdeen, each with a proud tradition of their own, would suffer a massive loss of television and sponsor revenue. Scottish Football Association chief-executive reiterated the views of the Scottish football public as a whole when he responded to the outcome of the meeting:

"Rangers and Celtic are the two biggest teams in Scottish football and we want to see them here", he remarked. "If we are to try and establish ourselves in Europe they have to be a part of that, as they have been in the past."

While some prominent figures in the Premier League, including Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Redknapp, have supported the idea of an expanded Premier League including Celtic and Rangers, the history of sectarianism and crowd violence is likely to have been a factor in the decision announced by Richard Scudamore.

Only recently both clubs have been subject to the scrutiny of the media and the public following two separate, high profile incidents. Elements of Celtic's support were criticised for showing a lack of respect to a minute's silence on Remembrance Sunday. Approximately half of the Celtic supporters failed to take their seats in the away end at The Falkirk Stadium. Sectarian chants stemmed from sections of the Celtic support as the silence was observed.

Rangers, on the other hand, have been fined by UEFA following skirmishes between fans and police in Bucharest as the Glasgow side encountered Unirea Urziceni in the Champions League. The fine, of 20,000 euros, is further supplemented by the order for Rangers to cover for damages suffered by the stadium.

Gartside's suggestions also included a proposal for an Irish franchise to be established with the intention of competing in the expanded league. The proposals will be reviewed by the Premier League with the intention of releasing recommendations by December 2010.

Unseeded Ireland could sprout surprise

After gaining arguably the second most preferential team in the World Cup playoff draw, Richard Chambers examines Ireland’s chances

So we find that the Republic of Ireland, after over thirteen months of undefeated participation in the qualifying group stage and grim acceptance of FIFA’s controversial decision to seed the playoffs, needing to beat France to attain a place in next summer’s World Cup. Ireland must now defeat the former World and European champions over the course of two legs in November.

The atmosphere in the Stade de France could be much more welcoming for the Irish visitors than on their previous visit in 2004

In a draw, held at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, the Republic was plucked from the pot of unseeded teams first by Everton’s Steven Pienaar, giving us an opening fixture in Dublin on 14th November followed by an arduous away fixture four days later. A daunting task awaits the Republic, but qualification is by no means an impossibility.

Throughout his tenure Giovanni Trapattoni has instilled a gritty confidence and self-belief into a beleaguered squad. In the aftermath of the disappointing Staunton era and the widespread public and media hounding that followed, the appointment of the grizzled Italian rejuvenated the national side.

In a qualifying campaign that has included commendable results against world champions Italy and a well-regarded Bulgaria, we have seen a form of the traditional Italian catenaccio method. Ireland will win no plaudits for swashbuckling football, but they will prove uncompromising opponents in a system wholly concerned with results.

If Trapattoni’s Ireland are coarse and united, the opposite can be said of Raymond Domenech’s France. The much-maligned Domenech has failed thus far to reap the benefits of an unrivalled pool of talent, frustrating fans and players alike.

The French suffered a lacklustre start to their campaign with defeat against Austria followed by poor performances against the Faroe Islands and Lithuania before rallying to finishing second to Serbia by a single point. The individual brilliance of Henry and Benzema, amongst others, means that this team will always threaten no matter the opponent. This abundance of cavalier players at Domenech’s disposal may yet carry France through to another World Cup.

The Republic will hope to frustrate these players in the same manner they have done since the opening fixture of qualification against Georgia. If Ireland’s usual midfield pairing of Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews can stem the flow of play and cut off the French attackers’ supply early, they will grow in confidence. A good result in Croke Park will set up a tantalising showdown in Paris with a heavily pressurised Les Bleus. The possibility remains that France’s pace will prove too much for the Irish fullbacks to handle, while the guile of Thierry Henry will conjure images of his heartbreaking strike at Lansdowne Road in 2005.

Trapattoni insists Ireland will not fear France but is under no illusions as to how difficult an undertaking faces his side. He will approach the game with the same principles of hard work and determination he has preached since becoming caretaker manager of AC Milan in 1974.

“Now we face the World Cup finalists and our results will give us the conviction and belief that we can get a result,” the former Juventus manager told the press, with his usual glint of optimism. “We have done well so far but over the 180 minutes we must give something additional and we will have to be even more concentrated and focused than we have until now.” He would have it no other way.

This article appears in the October 27 issue of the University Observer.

Ireland primed to send challengers home packing

Ireland primed to send challengers home packing

Declan Kidney must use the Autumn internationals efficiently if he is to continue Ireland’s success into the new season, writes Richard Chambers

The autumn internationals are upon us and represent a welcome respite for the members of Declan Kidney’s 31-man squad. The provinces have endured a middling opening to their Magners League and Heineken Cup campaigns with no province having lived up to expectation levels thus far.

Heineken Cup champions Leinster have found it difficult to recapture the tremendous fluidity that served them so well last year, while Connacht yet again find themselves at the bottom of the league table despite some impressive showings culminating in deserved victories against Cardiff and the Ospreys.

Ulster have faired reasonably well to date partially due to the outstanding halfback partnership of Ian Humphreys and Isaac Boss. Meanwhile, after losing four of their opening eight games, Munster found themselves facing the usual talk of crisis and dressing room rifts, both of these claims swiftly rebuked by Lions captain Paul O’Connell.

Cian Healy looks set to make his debut in Croke Park on Sunday

Of course the Lions Tour may be liable for some of the problems encountered by the provinces. The largest Irish contingent for a Lions tour in recent years has meant a shortened preseason for many, and new combinations have been blooded as a result. For the most part these have had limited success although the continued development of young players, such as the dynamic Donnacha Ryan and former UCD back-row forward Séan O’Brien in their already crowded respective packs, bodes well for the future.

One factor to the slow starts experienced by Ireland’s Magners League teams has been an unusual number of injuries in key areas. Currently Munster find themselves unable to field a sufficient front row, a mystery ailment to Marcus Horan making him the most prominent absentee. Meanwhile, Leinster’s Rob Kearney, arguably the most striking performer in the Lions tour, has suffered a number of minor setbacks to a recurring hamstring problem.

The upbeat nature of a Declan Kidney training camp will surely bring some much needed positivity to the squad regardless of any issues of form or rustiness. The psychology graduate has proven to be a fine motivator as a coach and he will seek to recapture the buoyancy that typified the Grand Slam campaign.

Facing a youthful Australia – a side with ambitions of a Grand Slam of their own – on 15th November will present Kidney with a multitude of selection dilemmas, not least problems with the props. After being forced to cut Marcus Horan from the 31-man squad for the Australia game, the path has been paved for Cian Healy to make his debut this Sunday in a packed-out Croke Park.

The opportunity to engage these youthful prodigies is a welcome by-product of the form of the habitual provincial XVs, and one that will not be lost on Kidney. Whether it is in the Ireland ‘A’ environment or in the senior squad, the double Heineken Cup-winning coach has proven to be more than willing to alternate his line-ups on occasion, not always making the easy choices but the merited ones.

The chance for the players to rejoin their international teammates will not be lost on this squad who will be eager to concentrate on matters on the field. Listening to criticism laid on the squad by some media elements, you would scarcely believe that members of this team won the Six Nations only eight months ago. Regrouping for tests against Australia, Fiji and the world champion Springboks will benefit them – and potentially the provinces – by extension.

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This article appears in the November 10 issue of the University Observer.

MidSeason Report - NFL

My, my. Week 10 of the NFL season is already upon us. Now would be a good time to look back on what has unfolded in the league thusfar, this season and shower the worthy with 'prestigious' awards.

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Peyton Manning (QB, Indianapolis Colts). Yes, he is sure to be remembered as perhaps the greatest quarterback to ever grace the National Football League but this season has been revelatory. No longer can Manning rely on Marvin Harrison, or the injured Antonio Gonzalez, instead he has been forced to spread the ball between Reggie Wayne and several inexperienced rookies such as Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. 2,545 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and the Colts' unblemished 9-0 start is testament to the excellence of the man that epitomises the 'on-field general' mould of quarterbacks.

Honourable Mentions: Drew Brees (QB, New Orleans Saints), Ben Roethlisberger (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers), Darren Sharper (S, New Orleans Saints).

Best Rookie: Percy Harvin (WR, Minnesota Vikings). In Harvin, quarterback Brett Favre has found a weapon with which he has reestablished himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league once again. Harvin's versatility has been crucial to the Vikings' success so far, perhaps even more so than the rushing yards of Adrian Peterson or the sacks accounted for by Jared Allen. Blessed with impossible speed and balance, Harvin has proven himself as a valuable kick-returner as well. The future is surely bright for the rookie from the University of Florida.

Honourable Mentions: Brian Cushing (LB, Houston Texans), Michael Oher (OL, Baltimore Ravens), Rey Maualuga (LB, Cincinnati Bengals)

Most Improved Player: Cedric Benson (RB, Cincinnati Bengals). What a difference a year makes. The running back cast aside by the Chicago Bears has found new-life with Marvin Lewis' Bengals. Benson has been the bane of defenses throughout the 2009 season including the fabled run-stoppers in Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The improved production can be credited to a newly acquired awareness and intelligence that has seen him gather an impressive 4.2 yards per carry as well as finding the endzone on six occassions.

Honourable Mentions: Kyle Orton (QB, Denver Broncos), Brett Favre (QB, Minnesota Vikings)

Best Coach: Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints). Payton has coupled consistency with the spectacular in the 2009 New Orleans Saints. The defensive woes that hampered an explosive, yet erratic offense in previous seasons have been rectified. Darren Sharper leads the league in interceptions, Charles Grant and Will Smith have been the source of vast amounts of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, while the linebackers led up by Jonathan Vilma and Scott Fujita have been able to stop the run. The Saints' running game itself has been exceptional. The rotation between Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush has brought unrivaled depth to the New Orleans' backfield. The Saints have been cited as potential Super Bowl contenders. The fact that they are even competing is a triumph of coaching.

Honourable Mentions: Josh McDaniels (Denver Broncos), Brad Childress (Minnesota Vikings)

Most Surprising Team: Cincinatti Bengals. At the outset of the 2009 season no-one could have predicted the start the Bengals have experienced to date. Following a dire 2008 season, which finished with a 4-11-1, Cincinnati has responded by going 6-2 - leading the AFC North at this point. The reasons for their resurgence are plentiful. Antwan Odom led the league in sacks until a season ending injury has led to his placement on the Injured Reserve. Enigmatic and outspoken wide-receiver Chad Ochocinco has been prolific. Former USC quarterback Carson Palmer has recovered from a 2008 season plagued with injury to post Pro-Bowl worthy numbers and has led the team to a 4-0 record within the AFC North. The Bengals look set to continue their run of form - they face the Raiders, the Browns, the Lions and the Chiefs in the second half of the season.

Honourable Mention: Denver Broncos

Most Disappointing Team: Tennessee Titans. Predicted by many to contest the Super Bowl in Miami this coming February, the Titans floundered to a 0-6 start. Having begun the 2008 season by going 10-0, the winless streak of Jeff Fisher's team shocked the NFL. Defeats to the Texans, the Jets, the Jaguars and a 54-0 defeat in New England have, frankly, embarrassed the Titans franchise. Since going 0-6 the Titans have benched QB Kerry Collins in favour of Vince Young. They have recovered to 2-6, mostly thanks to the express running of Chris Johnson.

Honourable Mentions: Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins