Saturday, April 30, 2011

Power perfect in IndyCar qualifying

Times wires
Saturday, April 30, 2011

SAO PAULO — Will Power of Australia earned his fourth IndyCar pole in four tries this season and bagged the 200th for Team Penske on Saturday at the Sao Paulo 300.

Power, winner of the inaugural Sao Paulo race last year, will start up front in today's race after a lap of 1 minute, 21.896 seconds on the 2.5-mile, 11-turn Anhembi temporary street circuit.

The track was significantly faster than last year after officials repaved the entire surface to eliminate bumps and removed some curbs that were slowing the cars in some turns. Dario Franchitti's pole time last year was 1:27.735, nearly six seconds slower than Power's.

"What a fantastic job they did of repaving the track," Power said. "I believe that now it has set the standard for street courses. This is the nicest street course I've driven on. I'm very impressed."

American Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Autosport was 0.402 seconds behind and will start second. Hunter-Reay was runnerup to Power in last year's race in Brazil and in qualifying two weeks ago in Long Beach.

NHRA: John Force moved within one of Pro Stock great Warren Johnson's No. 1 qualifying record by racing to his third consecutive top spot at the Spring Nationals in Baytown, Texas. Force earned the No. 1 spot in Funny Car for the 137th time as Friday's pass of 4.097 seconds at 310.27 mph held up. The other three top qualifiers from Friday also held on to their spots — Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ronnie Humphrey (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/power-perfect-in-indycar-qualifying/1167127

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Domestic violence victims could be left on the streets – cuts warning

WOMEN fleeing violent partners could be left on the streets following a �5 million cut in funding for the homeless.

Leading charity body Homeless Link has warned housing services and shelters in the city will suffer due to "unjustifiable" budget cuts.

Hull's Supporting People budget, which provides housing support for victims of domestic violence, those with mental health problems and older people, is being slashed from �11.1 million last year to �6 million.

Homeless charity Doorstep of Hull has been forced to close its vulnerable women project, which supports those fleeing domestic violence and prostitution, as a direct result of the cuts.

Numerous other homeless charities such as Hull Harp and Humbercare are reigning in services to cope with reduced funding.

The city council has been criticised for reducing the budget by 45 per cent, despite Government grant cuts of only eight per cent this year.

Jenny Edward, chief executive of Homeless Link, which represents 500 charities in the UK, said: "Homelessness services do more than just provide a bed, they give a reason to get out of it.

"They help people who have hit rock bottom to regain their confidence, gain skills, sort out health issues and move on into homes and jobs.

"The evidence is clear – if you cut homeless services today, communities are highly likely to pay tomorrow – seeing higher rates of addiction, ill health and antisocial behaviour."

In a survey of 84 councils, Hull was named as one of five local authorities making the most disproportionate cuts to its Supporting People funding.

Doorstep of Hull has laid off 10 of its 24 staff.

Before the cuts it was able to offer secure shelter to more than 30 vulnerable women each year.

Now it focus solely on their young homeless people's project.

Peter Drinkell, project director of Doorstep of Hull, said: "We receive about 1,200 referrals a year.

"Of that number, we can probably take on no more than 300 to 350 and that is before any bed spaces were lost out of the Supporting People programme.

"There are far more people who want these services then can get them."

Kayleigh, 20, of west Hull was forced out of home by a family fall out.

She said: "Doorstep has been a really big help for me.

"I had to get out of my flat and if I couldn't come here I don't know where I would have gone.

"I would have to sleep on a friend's floor but that would only be a short term solution.

"The idea services like this could be cut does worry me when I think about the other people who might end up without anywhere to go."

Hull City Council leader Carl Minns claimed the figures were deceptive, pointing out the council supports vulnerable people through many sources.

Mr Minns said: "Yes, funding for Supporting People is being cut by roughly �5 million.

"But that's not the only budget the council has or uses with regard to housing support.

"It is not representative of the total the council spends on this.

"We have got money allocated for social housing. "Grants for domestic violence refuges haven't been touched."



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Royal Wedding: A right royal knees-up as Leicestershire celebrates!

Humberstone Gate was filled with hundreds of party-goers waving flags and eating picnics as they watched the royal wedding on the big screen.

About 500 people gathered for the city centre celebrations – one of more than 30 street parties taking place across the county to mark the big day.

The largest was in Kibworth, where 2,000 people gathered to mark the occasion.

In Leicester, the crowd gasped as the bride's ivory dress was unveiled for the first time and giggled when William struggled to get the wedding ring on his bride's finger.

For many it was an unmissable chance to see history in the making, while for others it was a chance to spend a day with friends and family.

Phil Robertshaw, 56, of Anstey Heights, Leicester, said: "All the pomp and pageantry is what us Brits do best, isn't it?

"I've been glued to the screen since about 8.30am and would not miss it. It's a chance to celebrate our country and our heritage."

Dill Orton, 75, of Anstey, said: "The whole ceremony is lovely and it's great to be watching it in the city centre.

"Kate's dress is absolutely beautiful – not that you would expect anything else."

While the ceremony played out on the big screen, there was plenty to keep the younger revellers entertained, including stilt walkers.

Many youngsters had their face painted and made paper crowns in the arts and crafts marquees set up on the street.

Classmates Megan Alderson, 11, and Georgie Roux, 10, both from Barrow-upon-Soar, were wearing Kate and William masks they had made at home.

Megan said: "We are having so much fun down here today."

Georgie said: "My favourite part was William and Harry's outfits – I think they look really smart."

The festivities were replicated in streets, village halls, pubs and homes across the county.

About 2,000 people attended a party organised by the Coach and Horses pub, in Kibworth.

Landlord Andrew Southerden said: "It's been fantastic, just awesome.

"Everyone has been saying what a fantastic day they've had and people have been asking if we can do it again next year.

"We've got the Queen's diamond jubilee next year, so we'll see."

In Evesham Road, Rowley Fields, Leicester, residents held an afternoon street party after watching the wedding on TV in the morning.

Organiser Suresh Patel, 70, said: "It's the royal wedding so I wanted to do something in our street.

"I watched the wedding this morning and when William kissed Kate it was wonderful."

IN PICTURES - LEICESTERSHIRE CELEBRATES

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Time will tell if Adrian Clayborn was the right defensive end pick for Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, April 28, 2011

TAMPA

This time it will be different.

Won't it?

This time he will work out.

Won't he?

This time the Bucs have taken Adrian Clayborn, a tough kid with a tough background, a kid with a suspicious shoulder but a proven heart. This time they have found a defensive end who is hungry enough, driven enough, relentless enough to make the draft pick look good for years to come.

This time the new Buc will not bust.

Will he?

The Bucs, in their eternal search to draft a defensive end who can make quarterbacks nervous, took Clayborn in the first round Thursday. As always, they like their pick, enough that they looked past other options, such as Da'Quan Bowers and Cameron Jordan. As always, they seem certain of their choice.

This time the Bucs are confident their defensive end will deliver.

Goodness, do the Bucs need for Clayborn to be the answer to their eternal search for a bringer of heat. If Clayborn is the real deal, he gives the Bucs a young, talented defensive line, lining up alongside Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. If Clayborn is the real deal, the secondary just got better. If Clayborn is the real deal, he will help neutralize a division where the opposing quarterbacks are Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and now Cam Newton.

If he is not, the Bucs will gather back here in four years to chase another defensive end.

Did you hear the way general manager Mark Dominik described Clayborn? Just to pick out a few words, he used "toughness" and "motor" and "leader" and "havoc" and "attack" and "relentless."

Did you hear the way coach Raheem Morris described him? His Password clues were "Rambo" and "beast" and "Boydog."

At a time like this, it is recommended you attempt to dispel doubts by remembering how the Bucs have drafted and developed over the past two seasons. There is not a lot of tarnish there.

That said, every organization has missed on defensive linemen over the years None, however, have missed more than the Bucs. It's odd, because the distance between defensive end and the quarterback he is pursuing isn't that far, and the directions to him aren't that hard. Yet, the Bucs keep trying, and they keep whiffing.

Time after time the Bucs have tried, and time after time they have failed. They have drafted players who weren't strong enough (Gaines Adams) and players who weren't swift enough (Ron Holmes) and players who weren't athletic enough (Eric Curry) and players who weren't vicious enough (Regan Upshaw) and players who weren't polished enough (Booker Reese) and players who weren't driven enough (Keith McCants).

It has been a conga line of underachievement, one stiff after another taking turns doing very little. Left tackles in this league have bought yachts from the bonuses they achieved as they blocked Bucs defensive ends.

Yeah, yeah. The Bucs also drafted Lee Roy Selmon with their first pick (though they put him at defensive tackle for a year). Since then, however, the Bucs have picked an overall No. 4 (McCants), another overall No. 4 (Adams), a No. 6 (Curry), a No. 8 (Holmes), a No. 12 (Upshaw), and a No. 2 (37th) and a No. 1 (18th) for Reese.

And they missed on them all. Not one of them ever had a 10-sack season. Not one of them lasted longer than five years with the Bucs. Not one of them ever made a Pro Bowl.

Together, those players spent parts of 29 seasons on the Bucs. The return was 67.5 sacks.

Selmon by himself ended his career with 78.5.

For everyone who suggested the Bucs might end up with a cornerback or an offensive linemen Thursday night, it came back to this. On the Bucs, no position on the field had less production than defensive end last season. Stylez White, for instance, had only 41/2 sacks. And he led the team.

Clayborn should change all that. No, the Bucs say they aren't concerned about the Erb's Palsy in his right shoulder. No, they aren't concerned about the 31/2 sacks he had last year at Iowa. They expect Clayborn to be their right defensive end. In other words, they expected him to play the role of Simeon Rice while McCoy is trying to be Warren Sapp.

So why are we to believe that Clayborn will succeed where so many have failed?

For one thing, the Bucs talk first about Clayborn's motor, his relentlessness. By its nature, defensive end is a relentless position, where a player has to be strong enough to take on the opposing offensive tackle, sturdy enough to play against the run, strong enough to shed a blocker's hands and fast enough to chase down a quarterback. Average one sack a game — just one — and a player is a star. Play the run as well, and a player is a difference maker.

For the Bucs, the choice was always a pass-rusher. Given the 20th pick, the choice was always Clayborn,.

This time we'll see if they have picked the right guy.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/time-will-tell-if-adrian-clayborn-was-the-right-defensive-end-pick-for/1166728

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This time, North Royalton's Neczypor's record run goes in books

Brunswick wins the girls title and Medina takes boys honors at the Berea Kiwanis Relays. North Royalton senior Hannah Neczypor sets the state record in the 3,200.

Source: http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-4450528943045875708

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The Watercooler: Dublin in trouble, Cork impress

MONDAY MORNING AT THE WATERCOOLER

Under Discussion: The weekend's football league finals in Croke Park.

Chatting were: The Irish Examiner's Fintan O'Toole, John Fogarty, Brendan O'Brien and football columnist Ray Silke.

FINTAN O’TOOLE: Yesterday's Division 1 final first lads and thoughts on that remarkable second-half. Which was the bigger story, the Cork comeback or the Dublin demise? And what effect is this going to have on either for the months ahead?

JOHN FOGARTY It being Dublin, not enough credit is being given to Cork for the character they showed. Nowhere near enough credit. Dublin lost their shape and their gameplan. Their defensive wall crumbled. The fact of the matter is Cork have been where they are and have recovered.

RAY SILKE Reasonable point and I agree with it to a degree. However the misses by Mossie Quinn and Dean Kelly were inexplicable and will surely rattle Gilroy's confidence and belief in them. It brought back echoes of the All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo in 2006.

BRENDAN O’BRIEN:  That second-half undid an awful lot of good work for Dublin over the spring, plain and simple. But it was set up for Cork - the up and coming Dubs at Croker and a chance to prove to everyone that they are a better team than they were given credit for last September.

FINTAN O’TOOLE Those second-half misses stood out, even one point for Dublin during Cork's comeback would have steadied their ship.

JOHN FOGARTY:  Cork wanted to beat Dublin more than win another league title. They might have been the spring kings but there's no doubt who are still the boys of the summer.

RAY SILKE Bad luck was a factor too against Dublin. No manager can factor in his best player having to go off with a hammer and if Bernard Brogan had not got injured this water cooler would have a tint of blue in the H2O.

JOHN FOGARTY:  Dean Kelly's miss was an awful kick; he snapped at it. He wouldn't be known as a finisher but a decent prospect, regardless. I wouldn't criticise Mossy Quinn's second free but no excuses about the first. He'd be the first to admit that too.

FINTAN O’TOOLE The importance of the Brogan's to the Dublin attack was highlighted once again. Without them in the closing stages of the second-half, Dublin collapsed up front.

BRENDAN O’BRIEN That's the thing. Cork showed the importance of the group by winning without so many of last year's key men. Take away two of Dublin's big boys and the rest go to pot.

JOHN FOGARTY:  And yet they won without Brogan during this league. As much as Cork won without some of their marquee men yesterday, let's remember who's to come into this Dublin team (or at least be seriously considered) - the two O'Carroll’s, Alan Brogan, Paul Griffin, David Henry, Eoghan O'Gara, Eamonn Fennell... and there's more.

FINTAN O’TOOLE:  Both teams are likely to have notably different starting 15s if they meet further down the road.

BRENDAN O’BRIEN:  I'd still back Cork.

JOHN FOGARTY:  The two O'Carroll’s are major men for Dublin. Can see them both coming in and Fitzsimons possibly making way for Griffin.

RAY SILKE:  Cian O'Sullivan is a good player too and would be ahead of Ger Brennan in some regards. The jury is out on Paul Brogan too. When Donncha O'Connor got going he did very well and Paul was a bit headless tearing up the field. I prefer the full-back to do his primary job first. Mick Lyons. Gary Fahy. Darren Fay etc.

JOHN FOGARTY What about Paddy Kelly yesterday? Talk about control.

FINTAN O’TOOLE That was the one thing that struck me in the second-half yesterday, Cork's composure on the ball. Kelly the key man in that regard.

RAY SILKE:  Dublin will face the winners of Laois or Longford in a few weeks now. And they will need their top XV for that test too or they could find themselves in trouble.

BRENDAN O’BRIEN Don’t know. I've seen Laois twice recently and they are very limited, especially up front. And Dublin would breeze by Longford on the evidence of Saturday's game.

RAY SILKE:  Thought Kingston was a big in everyway addition when he was sprung.

JOHN FOGARTY There was a lot of chatter yesterday Laois would have won had Kingston been on from the start. Wouldn't be so sure of that. The numerical advantage played into his lap.

BRENDAN O’BRIEN The negative tactics employed by both Donegal and Laois were horrible to see. The displays of McFadden, Murphy and Kingston were the only real shafts of light for me.

RAY SILKE Not great to see Michael Murphy dragging down a Laois attacker as he advanced. Very cynical and pretty ugly to watch.

BRENDAN O’BRIEN Shades of Peter Canavan against Kerry.

JOHN FOGARTY:  If Longford and Roscommon were the poorest quality final of the weekend, yesterday's Division 2 game was close to it in terms of how bad a spectacle it was. There was a prominent former Donegal man in the press-box raging at half-time about his county's style of football. Wonder if the end justified the means for him at the final whistle, though.

FINTAN O’TOOLE It's been a good spring for Donegal but are they going to run out of steam by the middle of June? Or is there evidence that they can maintain their run?

JOHN FOGARTY:  It's all about Ulster for Donegal this year. Their record in the province isn't as bad as Derry's but that's where McGuinness wants to start making inroads. You can see what he's doing. He has a plan and like most new managers he's building from the back in year one.

RAY SILKE:  They will beat Antrim in Ballybofey and that will keep their run going. As long as they can keep Murphy & McFadden fit and flying they will be difficult to beat. They have not won Ulster since 1992 and that is some carrot. 

FINTAN O’TOOLE And yesterday a setback for Laois or had the objective already been achieved in claiming promotion? I expected a better performance from them.

JOHN FOGARTY:  MJ Tierney was the prophet of his own doom when he said he wouldn't get as many frees yesterday as the last round game. Apart from one glorious point, Colm Begley was so quiet too. Meaney is an excellent footballer and has to be moved away from full-back. They've the makings of a decent side but were far too focussed on stopping Donegal rather than beating them.

RAY SILKE You have to be pleased for Louth too on Saturday, a very good win for them. Brian Donnelly & Paddy Keenan were impressive, great impact from JP Rooney. What was the story with the lack of lighting at the end? Looked awfully dark on the TV. I expected "Do not adjust your set" to appear.

   FINTAN O’TOOLE:  Donnelly looks a ready-made replacement for Brian White, he converted one brilliant second-half free. The lighting issue was very strange, Paddy Keenan spoke afterwards about how he found visibility a real issue towards the end of the second-half.

   JOHN FOGARTY:  Thoughts on the tunnel incident?

RAY SILKE:  Anytime you have boys taking a few swings at each other in the tunnel is dangerous. And could get very nasty in 30 seconds. Does not look good and a very simple solution is that the linesman or 4th official just lets one team in first - and a minute later the second one. Moving on, a rotten display by Roscommon on Saturday. Fergal O' Donnell was right to be disgusted The Connacht champions looked far from impressive.

FINTAN O’TOOLE:  Can thoughts of next week's game with New York be submitted in mitigation?

JOHN FOGARTY:  Think it can in the sense they're leaving for it on Thursday, the jetlag, what happened last year... all concerns

RAY SILKE:  There is only one big game with the big ball this week and that is Cavan v Galway in the U21 final on Sunday. Reckon "head-office" would like to see a Cavan win. As Terry Hyland pointed out, "they deserve it”.

FINTAN O’TOOLE:  That U21 game should draw a fine crowd. Massive match for both counties, a title would be a huge boost.

JOHN FOGARTY:  It will, and Cavan are going crazy for it. I'd have a slight fancy for Galway based on the win over Cork and how well-rounded they are all over the field

   RAY SILKE:  Both counties could really do with a win. Galway were relegated and have been really poor for the past few seasons at senior level. So a victory, especially in Croker would be huge. Whereas an adult title for Cavan would also be massive. Too much hype in some ways (and we’re guilty too) about Galway's midfield youngsters. They are both only 19. Cavan will be very difficult to beat.

JOHN FOGARTY:  It's some curtain raiser for the hurling. Your own thoughts on it, Fintan?

FINTAN O’TOOLE:  Haven't seen Cavan play, but Gearóid McKiernan appears to be their main man. Galway's defence really impressed me against Cork, particularly Colin Forde and Tomas Fahy. Mark Hehir at centre-forward is another good prospect. Would go for Galway as well yet the U21 championship this year has consistently turned up surprising results.

JOHN FOGARTY:   It has but Cork presented a tougher test than Wexford. Going on that but wouldn't be surprised by Cavan winning either. Definitely an U21 final to be excited about.


Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/rODQem3dyy0/post.aspx

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The Big Apple's GAA revolution

from John Riordan in New York

WHEN New York’s minor football team take on Roscommon in Croke Park on Saturday, it will mark the second year in a row that an all-American born 15 will take to the field in for a championship clash.

It’s part of a new branch of player development which is being actively encouraged by the GAA as evidenced by the presence of Donegal-born development officer Simon Gillespie who is approaching the completion of his first full year in the Big Apple.

The 25-year-old Ballyshannon native whose home club is Aodh Ruadh studied PE teaching at the University of Limerick before taking a masters in history. He did his undergraduate dissertation on the negative affects that alcohol had on participation in the GAA in the 18 to 21-year-old age bracket and did his masters thesis on the relationship between the catholic church and the GAA during its formative years.

So it’s fair to say, the Association runs deep for Gillespie.

“The first year has been a tremendous learning experience for me,” he told me a couple of weeks ago.

“Just getting around the Tri-State area (New Jersey, Connecticut and New York) where our county board is located is a task in itself. Our county board catchment area is just smaller than the size of Ireland so with clubs all over the location it’s a pretty big task to coordinate such a scattered number of clubs.

“Every day is different to the next. A lot of time is spent coordinating and administering to the various schedules and competitions and making sure there isn’t a crossover with such a limited number of venues in place. Recording our numbers has become a huge task trying to approximate how many kids are actually playing our games over here.

“After that we have anything up to six county board or county management meetings and seven county teams to try and prepare to compete against Irish teams. The days are so different - some days I could be coordinating an underage blitz and the next constructing a template registration site for our boards.”

Of all the obstacles you’d imagine Gillespie runs into, he says organising playing facilities is the single biggest problem.

“We have so many clubs without their own grounds that to develop a sustainable youth program into adult level is very difficult. The opening of the Rockland GAA fields has been a tremendous asset to the game over here and it really is a credit to the Rockland Field Development Committee that the grounds are now the centre of underage activity in New York.”

But he is also keen to open up new markets through the highschool system in the area.

“This year we are piloting a high schools girls programme in four schools and it seems to be getting a good response but developing that link into the youth and senior ladies board will present a huge challenge.”

With the minors travelling to Ireland this weekend and the senior team hosting Roscommon in the Bronx on Sunday, May 1, Gillespie insists that the ultimate goal is for a New York team to be able to compete with the top teams back in Ireland.

“Like everywhere we are looking to increase the number of clubs and players playing our game. In particular we are looking to develop our facilities and reach a stage where all our clubs can have regular access to local facilities so they can properly develop they own programmes.

“There was a general feeling of joy and surprise throughout the community over here when we heard our minors had been given the privilege of playing in Croke Park and being the curtain raiser to the Division 3 and 4 finals. We are delighted about the prospect of our boys on centre stage and many people see this as the highlight of our minor board’s existence. We know the boys have put a tremendous effort into training over the last few months and we’re sure they will do us proud against Roscommon.”

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/5fYkGosGOBI/post.aspx

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Pedestrian died after stepping into path of car

A pedestrian died in a collision with a car as he tried to cross a major city road, an inquest heard.

Self-employed taxi driver Paul Barnsdale, of Rushey Mead, Leicester, died at the scene of the crash in Troon Way, just a few hundred metres from his home.

An inquest at Leicester Town Hall yesterday heard that the 55-year-old had been on his way home after dropping his taxi off for an MOT test.

He was walking along the A563 when he stepped out into the path of a black Toyota Avensis at about 11.50am on July 30 last year.

Witness Nigel Moulding said: "I was in a queue of traffic moving quite slowly. The other lane was clear. I saw this bloke walking towards me along the pavement, looking for a gap in the traffic.

"He stepped off the kerb and came out from behind a vehicle in front of me into the middle of the road.

"I don't know if he fell or tripped but I saw the car hit him."

Thakar Patel, of Rushey Mead, who was driving the Toyota, told the inquest: "The road ahead of me was clear and I was driving up the hill when all of a sudden I saw this man in front of my car. I couldn't avoid hitting him – he was right in front of me and I didn't have time to brake. I didn't see him."

Accident investigator Pc Rachel Marston said there was no evidence to suggest that Mr Patel was breaking the road's 40mph limit.

She said there would have been very little time for him to react and suggested that several high-sided vehicles in the slow-moving traffic may have obscured the deceased's view of oncoming traffic.

Coroner Martin Gotheridge recorded a verdict of accidental death and gave the cause of death as multiple injuries, including "extensive trauma to the head".



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Friday, April 29, 2011

In a league of its own

Alan Good

HOCKEY isn’t everybody’s cup of tea as either a participant or spectator sport, but it continues to prove itself nothing if not innovative, as anyone who watched the Easter weekend action in the EuroHockey League will testify.

Europe’s premier men’s club competition is barely out of nappies as it heads for the conclusion of just its fourth season, yet somewhat arrogantly declares itself as “the best way hockey has ever been presented”. The thing is, it ain’t wrong.

Irish interest in the knockout rounds of the EHL is higher than usual this season; Dublin clubs Pembroke Wanderers and Glenanne were both involved in the last 16, while a smattering of Irish international players are representing clubs from Spain, Belgium and England.

I therefore spent much of the weekend glued to the superb EHL website, watching either the live stream or highlights, as 12 games unfolded over four days in Bloemendaal, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

That the entire last 16 and quarter-finals took place at a single venue is a hallmark of a sport which places a heavy emphasis on tournament-style competitions, where games come thick and fast over a short period of time.

You certainly couldn’t manage it with the Champions League or Heineken Cup, but for smaller sports this is a clever move — it creates a festival atmosphere, increasing the neutral crowds at matches and allowing players and fans from across Europe to mingle.

From a broadcasting perspective, there is also much to admire. Split screen views are utilised heavily on replays — so one incident can be viewed from attackers’ and defenders’ point of view simultaneously, or you can watch a coach agonise over a missed chance as it happens.

Commentary is left off the comprehensive highlights packages of each game, allowing the miked-up umpires to be heard throughout while also picking up some gems of comments from players and coaches.

The result is an instructive one for followers of any sport; witness how advantages are called and decisions are explained by the umpires, even while play is unfolding.

And for when they get it wrong? Much like cricket and tennis, the EHL adopts a video referral system. Even more intriguingly, the video umpire is also on camera, so viewers can watch and listen as he comes to his decision.

There are plenty of sports which would dearly love to be able to demand such accountability and transparency from their officials.

For the first time in EHL history, the system was called into play during a penalty shootout during the all-Spanish quarter-final between Club de Campo and Atletic Terrassa on Sunday — and resulted in a goal correctly being chalked off.

That came amid the EHL’s take on how to decide stalemates, replacing the traditional stationary strikes at goal with a “penalty shuttles” system where players are instead given eight seconds to score in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

This format has heightened excitement, removed some of luck element and evened up the odds. It is one of many radical changes in recent years which has helped differentiate hockey from other sports which are similar superficially or tactically, football being a prime example.

These include using two umpires and rolling substitutions, scrapping the offside rule, removing the need to pass frees to another player (known as an autopass) and utilising a three-card and sin-bin system for disciplinary matters.

One size doesn’t always fit all, of course; a bit of opportunistic journalism last year suggested FIFA president Sepp Blatter was considering following hockey’s lead by doing away with offside, to widespread condemnation on fans’ message boards.

And no system is without flaws; during the Reading v KHC Dragons clash on Monday, twice the video umpire was unable to come to a definitive conclusion.

There are nonetheless plenty of ways that sports can learn from each other. Hockey, for example, could look at how rugby upped the value of a try to encourage more positive play, and perhaps reduce the amount of sanctions which result in penalty corners, to encourage more goals from play.

In the meantime, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or complete newbie, set aside an hour and make an appointment with the EHL website; it’ll give you food for thought at the very least.

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/5stNNK07TCs/post.aspx

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Cleveland Browns earn a passing grade on draft day, says Tony Grossi

Tony Grossi says the Cleveland Browns did well on the first day of the NFL Draft.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns traded down and then traded up to draft Phil Taylor of Baylor. 


Branson Wright (minus Chuck Yarborough, who was at the gym power lifting) talks to Cleveland Browns beat writer Tony Grossi about the first day of the draft, and what's in store during tonight's second round.


Grossi says that he didn't give the Browns a good grade following the trades, but Grossi changed his mind the following day.


There are plenty of good players left on the draft board, especially lineman Da'Quan Bowers, but Grossi expects the Browns to look at receivers and defensive backs in the later rounds.


 

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/04/cleveland_browns_earn_a_passin.html

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Royal Wedding of William and Kate - chat, blog, share

​Royal Wedding of William and Kate - chat, blog, share.

Join us on the sofa as we join millions worldwide and tune in to watch the Royal Wedding live.

Picture by Oldmaison



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?Gov?t most concerned about tycoons?


?In this life we have been happy and in another one we will be rich,? says Lazar Ristovski ahead of the premiere of his film ?Beli lavovi? [White Lions], scheduled for tonight, 8.30pm, at the Sava Centre. ?This is a story of defunct factories and workers who are left stranded and without leadership into an improved life. It is about every one of us who have been caught unawares by the transition and who are today an endangered species, just like white lions.?

Source: http://english.blic.rs/Culture-Showbiz//7596/Govt-most-concerned-about-tycoons

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Dr. Remote

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

NFL draft: 8 p.m. on ESPN and the NFL Network. The first round of the draft for a league that might not have a season in 2011.

Bud Greenspan Presents: Vancouver 2010 Stories of Olympic Glory: 8 p.m. on Showtime. Great tales from the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Inside the NBA: 1 a.m. on TNT. You have to stay up really late after all the games are over. But it's in the wee hours when the crew, led by Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, gets entertaining.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/dr-remote/1166400

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Tampa Bay Rays' Sam Fuld begins All-Star Game campaign

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — OF Sam Fuld, still a bit stunned to be included on the American League All-Star ballot, insisted he hadn't cast a vote for himself. But he figured his wife, Sarah, had and his parents, friends and other relatives had been on their computers already.

"I'm sure my wife did it right away. I don't blame her. She's trying to get the word out," Fuld said. "We're underdogs here. There's a billion people in New York."

Fuld figures to have the support of his home state, New Hampshire, but as he said: "That doesn't guarantee anything. We've got to work on Maine and Vermont and all of New England. Then I've got a chance."

The Internet world is also lending its support. A VoteSamFuld account was opened on Twitter, and the Rays potentially will make a push.

"I think you're going to be surprised by how many people actually vote for him," manager Joe Maddon said.

"For two reasons: He's playing really well. And you look at his numbers, they're pretty darn good. And you watch every night on ESPN, you see the highlight film, etc. But beyond that, I think there's a lot of average Americans that can identify with this fella, and how he plays the game also, I think, matters. He's hard not to like. … He's everyman."

Maddon also repeated his assertion that Fuld, whose last All-Star experience was in the Florida State League in 2006, has played as well defensively as former Ray Carl Crawford.

"I have so much respect for Carl as an outfielder," Maddon said. "I never thought I'd be saying this one month into the season, but we haven't lost anything defensively in leftfield."

ROUGH TIME: INF Elliot Johnson has had quite a stay in Minneapolis. On Monday's off day, he had to take his wife, Nicole, to a hospital because of a stomach virus, then take care of their 1½-year-old son, Blake, as she rested. Then he got sick with the virus Monday night, throwing up from about 11 p.m. on, and Tuesday morning took a taxi to the emergency room.

He felt better Wednesday but not well enough to make a scheduled start.

"It's been a bummer of a trip," Johnson said.

PITCHING IN: The Rays decided to have RHP Jeff Niemann work the night game of today's doubleheader because of his struggles in day games (5-6, 5.44 ERA vs. 22-13, 4.00 at night), so RHP Jeremy Hellickson will work the matinee. … Because RHP Wade Davis was pushed to Wednesday's game, the Rays need a Sunday starter. RHP Andy Sonnanstine is the likely choice even after working a 13-pitch ninth Wednesday. That could change if he's needed in relief again; then the Rays would look to the minors, with RHP Alex Cobb (3-0, 2.05 ERA at Triple-A Durham), and LHP Alex Torres (1-2, 1.83) possibilities.

FAMILY AFFAIR: Hellickson will have a cheering section today, with about 40 relatives (parents, grandparents, cousins) and friends expected to make the 3½ -hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa. He has had similar support in Kansas City and Detroit. "I think anywhere within probably eight hours, they'll make it," he said.

REHAB REPORT: 3B Evan Longoria worked out with the Rays on Wednesday, then headed to Montgomery, Ala., where he will start his rehabilitation assignment tonight, with plans to rejoin the Rays on Tuesday. Longoria, out since April 2 with a left oblique strain, is scheduled to play four of the five days. … LHP J.P. Howell (left shoulder surgery) makes his third rehab appearance tonight, moving up to the Class A Stone Crabs and starting tonight in Port Charlotte, scheduled for one inning.

FOR THE KIDS: The Twins had another reason for rescheduling Tuesday's game for tonight rather than July: 5,000-6,000 tickets sold to 120 groups, many from schools, that were more easily accommodated tonight.

MISCELLANY: The Rays hung a Lightning shirt in their dugout after seeing the final score. "We're very proud of the boys,'' Maddon said. … Tonight's game moves to 970-AM because of the NFL draft. … The Twins put ex-Ray Delmon Young on the disabled list with an oblique strain. … The Rays will give out vouchers after Sunday's game good for free parking Tuesday and Wednesday in certain lots for cars with four or more passengers.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/tampa-bay-rays-sam-fuld-begins-all-star-game-campaign/1166511

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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Cardinals 11, Astros 7

Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011

Cardinals 11, Astros 7

HOUSTON — Lance Berkman homered and drove in four runs during a nine-run sixth inning then added a solo shot in the ninth against the team where he spent his first 12 seasons to lift the Cardinals.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/cardinals-11-astros-7/1166736

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Tampa Bay Lightning's theme song no jive talkin'

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

PITTSBURGH — The song, as hideous as it is familiar, was turned up to a festive volume when the doors to the locker room flew open at the conclusion of Game 6 on Monday night.

Stayin' alive, stayin' alive, ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive

Once, it was the epitome of a rather vacuous era in music and society. Later, it served as a sort of unofficial punch line of the disco style and sound.

Today, it is the soundtrack of a hockey season.

Stayin' alive, stayin' alive, ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive

This is the anthem the Tampa Bay Lightning has chosen, and it fits like a fine pair of platform shoes. It's a little different, a bit goofy and completely relevant.

And not just because the Lightning survived two elimination games to force a Game 7 against the Penguins tonight, for this theme was adopted before the series began.

It is the motto of a franchise that no longer gives in or gives up. It is the battle cry of athletes who have spent a season learning what it means to be relentless.

"For me, it's not: 'We're going to a seventh game.' We just played what were two seventh games for us," said Lightning coach Guy Boucher. "I know (the Penguins) haven't, because their backs weren't against the wall. Ours have been against the wall for a little while now, I'll tell you that."

These players have survived cowboys in the owners' suite, red ink in the general ledger and a revolving door in their ranks. And still they live on.

They have survived a star's epic scoring slump, the demise of a pair of goaltenders, and damaged appendages, nerves and egos. And still they play on.

When the season was down to its potential final 60 minutes Saturday, and again Monday, it was revived by players with no postseason experiences to draw on.

Look at Steven Stamkos, Teddy Purcell and Steve Downie. Not a one has seen a birthday beyond 25, and none had scored in an NHL postseason before Saturday.

Yet, in the two games since, they have combined for four goals and seven assists, and the Lightning has climbed back into the series in an emphatic way.

"Sometimes you don't have a choice," said Marty St. Louis. "When you're down 3-1 in a series, you better grow up fast."

When the light at the end of the tunnel was near, the Lightning was rescued by a goaltender old enough to remember when the Bee Gees topped the charts.

Look at Dwayne Roloson. On New Year's Eve he was an unlikely savior, playing sporadically for a dreadful team in New York and wasting one of the remaining seasons of a fine career.

Now, four months later, the 41-year-old is one victory away from becoming the second-oldest goaltender to win a playoff series in NHL history.

This is what the Lightning has given you in 2010-11: A new owner, GM and coach. New players coming aboard monthly, and a new outlook on hockey. The unexpected high of a regular season giving way to the decreasing air of the postseason.

It has been seven years since the Lightning advanced in the playoffs, and the franchise has never won a series when it was not the higher seed.

Now, after 1,446 regular-season games, 57 playoff games and 18 seasons, the Lightning is in a Game 7 for just the third time.

"I'll be honest. I want to win this series," Boucher said. "But the bigger picture to me is how fast our boys are learning and how they're ready to fight every night with always a bit more … a bit more poise in this and a bit more poise in that.

"That's what's really been exciting to me. Watching them learn and watching them grow, and having some success along the way."

Stayin' Alive is no longer just a song, or a slogan. For the Lightning, it is an attitude. It is what comes from having another team push you around. It is what remains when the statistics and the glory are stripped away.

"You think you know what it means to play hard, and then you get in a series like this and you realize what hard really looks like," said Ryan Malone. "If you miss one assignment on a faceoff, it could be your guy who scores, and that could be the difference in the game and the series. Any little mistake is amplified."

By night's end, the Lightning will be moving on. Either to the next series or the next offseason. Someone will ride out a hero, or someone will walk off with regret.

By night's end, we'll know whether the song plays on.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/tampa-bay-lightnings-theme-song-no-jive-talkin/1166166

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft: linebackers

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The situation

This is one of the most unstable positions for the Buccaneers. Two members of the 2010 starting trio are likely to become free agents once a new collective bargaining agreement is negotiated.

The contracts of starting MLB Barrett Ruud and starting strongside LB Quincy Black expired after last season, and it's not clear whether the Bucs intend or will be able to retain either.

Both hope to cash in on the open market and might field offers worth more than the Bucs are willing to pay.

General manager Mark Dominik has said he'll proceed in this draft as if his free agent players won't be back, because the fate of free agents won't be known for a while.

Though there is always much debate about Ruud and his value, coach Raheem Morris leans heavily on him to help the defense execute and adjust to offensive shifts and motion. It would be quite a responsibility for a rookie to assume if the Bucs draft a possible replacement. The Bucs last season acquired former South Florida star Tyrone McKenzie from the Patriots, but it's not clear whether he is a viable starter.

Weakside LB Geno Hayes, among the team's leading tackers, returns.

What they're looking for

The Bucs continue to want playmakers at linebacker. They're not necessarily looking for the undersized Derrick Brooks-type linebacker, but they want a game-changer.

In the Tampa 2 coverage scheme, the linebackers will still be required to run and cover. But Morris is also interested in using his linebackers in new ways, taking advantage of pass-rushing opportunities from his outside linebackers.

Fitting the bill

The Bucs have taken a close look at UCLA OLB Akeem Ayers, left, a player who is big, fast and versatile. In this way, he is somewhat like Black, but he has the potential to be much more. Ayers had a combined 24.5 tackles for losses and 10 sacks in his final two college seasons.

Dontay Moch of Nevada is another OLB candidate, though he is something of a project as he was more of a defensive end in college. Like Ayers, he visited with the Bucs and is one of those players Morris could find special assignments for.

At middle linebacker, the Bucs hosted Clearwater's Colin McCarthy, top left, of Miami, considered a sure-handed tackler and solid athlete. MLB Quan Sturdivant of North Carolina has also drawn the Bucs' interest. He led the nation in solo tackles in 2008 before being limited by a nagging hamstring injury in 2010.

Top 10

Von Miller

Texas A&M, 6-2, 245

Considered by some the most NFL-ready prospect regardless of position
Akeem Ayers

UCLA, 6-2, 253

Well-rounded player who produced in coverage, pass rush and run stopping
Bruce Carter

North Carolina, 6-2, 240

Solid player with great speed and quickness; Butkus Award finalist
Martez Wilson

Illinois, 6-3, 250

All-Big Ten selection had 112 total tackles in 2010
Chris Carter

Fresno State, 6-1, 247

Projected as a 3-4 OLB at NFL level with good pass-rush ability
Colin McCarthy

Miami, 6-2, 240

Led UM with 119 tackles in first season as ILB
Dontay Moch

Nevada, 6-1, 247

Possesses stunning 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed
Akeem Dent

Georgia, 6-1, 240

Big hitter racked up 126 total tackles as a senior
Quan Sturdivant

North Carolina, 6-1, 239

A solid prospect who will drop because of injury-plagued senior season
Mason Foster

Washington, 6-1, 244

Led the Pac-10 with 163 tackles; notched 6.5 sacks as a senior
Von Miller

Texas A&M, 6-2, 245

Considered by some the most NFL-ready prospect regardless of position
Akeem Ayers

UCLA, 6-2, 253

Well-rounded player who produced in coverage, pass rush and run stopping
Bruce Carter

North Carolina, 6-2, 240

Solid player with great speed and quickness; Butkus Award finalist
Martez Wilson

Illinois, 6-3, 250

All-Big Ten selection had 112 total tackles in 2010
Chris Carter

Fresno State, 6-1, 247

Projected as a 3-4 OLB at NFL level with good pass-rush ability
Colin McCarthy

Miami, 6-2, 240

Led UM with 119 tackles in first season as ILB
Dontay Moch

Nevada, 6-1, 247

Possesses stunning 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed
Akeem Dent

Georgia, 6-1, 240

Big hitter racked up 126 total tackles as a senior
Quan Sturdivant

North Carolina, 6-1, 239

A solid prospect who will drop because of injury-plagued senior season
Mason Foster

Washington, 6-1, 244

Led the Pac-10 with 163 tackles; notched 6.5 sacks as a senior

Best guess

The Bucs have a strong need at linebacker. Look for a pick in the early to middle rounds, particularly at middle linebacker. That could signal the end of Ruud's tenure in Tampa Bay.

Regardless, the Bucs will look to stockpile linebacker talent after largely ignoring the position last year.

Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/tampa-bay-buccaneers-draft-linebackers/1166154

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers take more open-minded approach into first day of NFL draft

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

TAMPA — Two years ago, there wasn't enough smokescreen puffing from One Buc Place before the NFL draft to hide the team's fixation with quarterback Josh Freeman.

Coach Raheem Morris had spent a year as the defensive coordinator at Kansas State in 2006 when Freeman was a 19-year-old freshman. In fact, general manager Mark Dominik was so nervous about all the speculation that he traded up three spots to make sure the Bucs got their man.

Last year, Tampa Bay's selection of Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy with the third overall pick also raised no eyebrows.

Which player will be in the Bucs' crosshairs when they make the 20th overall pick tonight? Conventional wisdom (and most mock drafts) suggests it will be a pass-rushing defensive end, or perhaps an outside linebacker.

But the Bucs have to take a more open-minded approach to the draft this year.

"When we had pick No. 20 (in 2009), the whole town wanted a defensive player, and we took Josh Freeman," Morris said. "It was an unpopular choice and now people get it. It's hard to question what our guys have done the last couple of years in the draft. … You follow your board. We have a belief in each other to get a successful player that can help you."

Tampa Bay was tied for 30th in the league in sacks with 26 last season. The last Buc to reach double digits in sacks was Simeon Rice with 14 in 2005.

After doubling down in last year's draft at defensive tackle with McCoy and second-round pick Brian Price, the Bucs are in a prime position to have a sack master fall to them. Defensive ends such as Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan, California's Cameron Jordan and Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers all are expected to go somewhere between the 12-20 range.

Bowers, who had 16 sacks last season, is a top-five talent whose stock appears to have fallen because of a torn meniscus in his knee. Dominik has said the injury did not force Bowers off their draft board, but the question is whether the knee injury would make him a one-contract player.

"Our mentality is to draft a two-contract player, a guy you're going to want to do an extension with," Dominik said. "That's certainly been our philosophy here."

If the elite defensive ends are gone when the Bucs pick, the team says it will consider a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end such as UCLA's Akeem Ayers, one of 30 players to visit the franchise in Tampa.

The arrest of cornerback Aqib Talib on charges of assault with a deadly weapon in Texas could also have an effect on the Bucs. Talib, who was suspended one game last season, is expected to be released by the team when transactions are permitted again.

Colorado defensive back Jimmy Smith could be available with the No. 20 pick, but his history of off-field problems may take him out of play for the Bucs.

"I stole it from the Jets, but I just don't think you can ever have enough cornerbacks," Dominik said.

According to Dominik, the Bucs also can't invest enough in protecting Freeman. The draft is deep at offensive tackle, and there is speculation Pittsburgh might want to trade up with Tampa Bay to select Florida guard/center Mike Pouncey, whose twin brother, Maurkice, is the Steelers' center.

With no free agency before the draft to fill holes, Dominik says the Bucs can take the best player regardless of position.

"For me, it makes it a little bit easier," Dominik said.

It's hard to argue with the Bucs' success in the draft since Dominik and Morris took over two years ago. Certainly, they're happy to be picking near the bottom, a result of greater success on the field.

According to information on file with the NFL Players Association, the Bucs have spent nearly $104 million in guarantees on eight first-round draft picks since 2001. None of them have been voted to a Pro Bowl, though guard Davin Joseph went once as an alternate.

"No matter who I take at No. 20, there's going to be hundreds or thousands of people say, 'I didn't like him, I liked the other guy,' " Dominik said. "So that's going to put that much more pressure on a first-round pick."

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-buccaneers-take-more-open-minded-approach-into-first-day-of-nfl/1166398

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Dublin must take big boys hurling attitude

AND so Dublin Gaels’ turn their lonely eyes to Anthony Daly’s hurlers. Excuse the melodrama but the Dubs are holding out for heroes right now and they’re not known for their patience.

Their footballers will come good but possibly not speedily enough. Whereas this weekend the other code presents a quick plaster for the sores of Sunday gone.

The novelty of the footballers getting to a first final in 12 years is nothing compared to the 65 years the capital’s hurlers have had to wait to reach the decider this year.

Hurling being hurling, Dublin hurling being Dublin hurling, there won’t be as much made of Daly’s men in the final. There’ll be no Thursday or Friday morning press conference. He wouldn’t want it that way anyway.

But they can beat Kilkenny. The alarmingly worrying injury list Brian Cody now has to contend with is worse than it was when the counties played out an interesting if modest draw earlier this month.

They might not have finished on top of Division 1, results may have gone against their general play but Dublin have been the best performers in this year’s league. That draw against Kilkenny, even if the point was one at the death by Paul Ryan, was a game they should have won.

They should have beaten Waterford first day out but had to settle for a draw. They should have beaten Galway but ended up being hit with a sucker-punch of a goal by Eanna Ryan in the closing stages.

Their players may actually feel they were lucky to get through to a league final. It’s what a lot of other people are saying. But even without a killer instinct, their victories have been so much more encouraging than Kilkenny’s, some of which have left their supporters cold.

That comes down to expectations, of course, and the pervading feeling in Kilkenny their most golden of golden eras could be coming to an end – or already has.

But if Daly’s men are considering themselves fortunate for being where they are this week preparing for a national final then they have the wrong headset.

Luck comes with effort and there has been no end of that from Daly’s men as they have moved further and further away from that dark, dark day against Antrim last year.

If they want to be recognised as a team who can sit at the top table, they have to start thinking and acting like it.

So it was with a bit of frustration that this writer listened to the affable Daly speak about the aforementioned three games, which threatened to derail their league final aspirations.

Speaking before the win over Cork, he was asked about how much of an impact picking two points up from the three games would have on his men.

“Rather than forgetting them, we would use them as positive memories rather than negative ones. This is Dublin we’re talking about.”

This is Dublin we’re talking about! This is Dublin we’re talking about! Sorry, Anthony, but that poor mouth guff doesn’t wash anymore.

If you want to play with the big boys, if you want to be judged alongside the big boys, you have to accept being under the microscope.

Daly has taken particular exception to the amount of attention drawn to the amount of wides his team have totalled in recent games. There was a decent improvement in the Cork game but 36 wides in two games is a statistic that can’t just be ignored.

As already mentioned, his side have shown a lack of a killer instinct although there were indications in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last day out they are developing one.

They have more than the necessary basics to get to an All-Ireland semi-final. Hell, they have enough to make a fist of a mighty Leinster campaign, upsetting the idea that a Kilkenny-Galway final is already set in stone.

They play an attractive brand of hurling as well but even without the excellent Stephen Hiney, David Treacy and Joey Boland they have pushed on. They have a solid spine to their team. Daire Plunkett is a hare with a hurley. Conal Keaney, in time, will return to the personal heights he reached before football took centre-stage.

But the more they are reminded they are “just” Dublin, the more they will be held back or should that be the more they will hold themselves back.

No doubt, they are reminded most, if not every time, they go out on the field to play one of the established hurling counties where they come from. What they have come from. Where are their medals.

For all we know, Daly could be telling his players in the sanctuary of training they are the greatest hurlers in the country. But transmitting an assured image of them in the media is vital.

We’re not saying he should do an Arsene Wenger and ignore all of his team’s faults but Dublin can be more than Dublin. They just need to believe it. Anthony Daly needs to be telling us that.

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/ZWrzEEgQzm8/post.aspx

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Marlins 4, Dodgers 2

Times wires
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Marlins 4, Dodgers 2

MIAMI — Mike Stanton had a tiebreaking two-run single and Chris Volstad worked in and out of trouble for seven innings for the Marlins, who have won seven of eight. With the score tied at 2 in the sixth, former East Lake standout Chris Coghlan and Hanley Ramirez singled. Gaby Sanchez walked before Stanton hit a single to right-center off Clayton Kershaw.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/marlins-4-dodgers-2/1166247

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NFL Draft 2011: Cleveland Browns most notable picks since 1999 (video)

Plain Dealer sports columnists Bud Shaw, Terry Pluto and Bill Livingston talk about the upcoming NFL draft and some of the worst and best picks by the Cleveland Browns since 1999.


Plain Dealer sports columnists Bud Shaw, Terry Pluto and Bill Livingston talk about the upcoming NFL draft and some of the worst and best picks by the Cleveland Browns since 1999.  The Browns have the sixth pick in tonight's first round of the NFL Draft.  This is the last in a series of four videos.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/04/nfl_draft_2011_cleveland_brown_8.html

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Leicester's Eco-house closes after louts threaten and spit at worker

A tourist attraction has been forced to close for the Easter holidays after one of its staff was attacked and threatened by young louts.

Sophie Inskip, 19, was followed home and spat on after finishing work at the Eco- house, in Leicester's Western Park, on Sunday.

Five youths confronted her at about 5pm, harassing and threatening her.

As she walked home through the park, they followed her, jostling her and spitting in her face.

Following the incident, bosses at environmental charity Groundwork, which runs the Eco-house, decided not to open on Monday or yesterday for fear of further attacks on staff. It is normally open seven days a week.

Manager Richard Wakefield said: "The sort of behaviour that Sophie had to put up with is completely unacceptable.

"Unfortunately, we have become used to being on the wrong end of bad behaviour at the hands of kids, but this went beyond being cheeky or rude to be outright menacing.

"To spit on someone and jostle them is, frankly, disgusting."

He said the attraction would remain closed until next week, and managers are to discuss staff security with police.

Miss Inskip told the Mercury that Sunday's incident left her frightened and tearful.

She said: "I tried to ignore them but they followed me as I walked home. I have a star tattoo one my arm. One of them asked 'Why do you have that? Is it because you will be seeing stars when I hit you?'

"I felt really frightened. I didn't want to cry in front of them, but I did when I got home. I love working here (at the Eco-house) but you don't need this kind of thing happening to you."

The Eco-house opened in 1989 as Britain's first environmentally-friendly show home. Today, it has a shop and cafe and is visited by about 4,000 people a year who want to learn about the environment.

Mr Wakefield said the day before Sophie was attacked, youths had been in the shop stealing food and causing trouble.

He said: "I would not want to be the person who sticks the blame on all kids. Some of the young people we get visiting are lovely and just want to learn about the place, but I've found myself making excuses for the others – 'it must be boredom', or 'they don't know any better' – which I said I would not do.

"Now it has gone too far. We are just a charity and the Eco-house is here to be enjoyed by the community. It is a shame the actions of a few spoil that for everyone, and it does not help us being closed because we lose income."

Sergeant Simon Barnes, of Hinckley Road police station, said officers were looking to speak to two suspects, aged 11 and 12.

He said he would make sure officers patrolled the area as often as possible during the rest of the Easter break.

He said: "The Eco-house is there for everybody to enjoy, so we do not want this. It is close to a BMX track where kids gather, and the problems flood across into the Eco-house.

"I'd like anyone who witnesses problems to contact us and I would like parents to give some thought to the way their children behave."



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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft: linebackers

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The situation

This is one of the most unstable positions for the Buccaneers. Two members of the 2010 starting trio are likely to become free agents once a new collective bargaining agreement is negotiated.

The contracts of starting MLB Barrett Ruud and starting strongside LB Quincy Black expired after last season, and it's not clear whether the Bucs intend or will be able to retain either.

Both hope to cash in on the open market and might field offers worth more than the Bucs are willing to pay.

General manager Mark Dominik has said he'll proceed in this draft as if his free agent players won't be back, because the fate of free agents won't be known for a while.

Though there is always much debate about Ruud and his value, coach Raheem Morris leans heavily on him to help the defense execute and adjust to offensive shifts and motion. It would be quite a responsibility for a rookie to assume if the Bucs draft a possible replacement. The Bucs last season acquired former South Florida star Tyrone McKenzie from the Patriots, but it's not clear whether he is a viable starter.

Weakside LB Geno Hayes, among the team's leading tackers, returns.

What they're looking for

The Bucs continue to want playmakers at linebacker. They're not necessarily looking for the undersized Derrick Brooks-type linebacker, but they want a game-changer.

In the Tampa 2 coverage scheme, the linebackers will still be required to run and cover. But Morris is also interested in using his linebackers in new ways, taking advantage of pass-rushing opportunities from his outside linebackers.

Fitting the bill

The Bucs have taken a close look at UCLA OLB Akeem Ayers, left, a player who is big, fast and versatile. In this way, he is somewhat like Black, but he has the potential to be much more. Ayers had a combined 24.5 tackles for losses and 10 sacks in his final two college seasons.

Dontay Moch of Nevada is another OLB candidate, though he is something of a project as he was more of a defensive end in college. Like Ayers, he visited with the Bucs and is one of those players Morris could find special assignments for.

At middle linebacker, the Bucs hosted Clearwater's Colin McCarthy, top left, of Miami, considered a sure-handed tackler and solid athlete. MLB Quan Sturdivant of North Carolina has also drawn the Bucs' interest. He led the nation in solo tackles in 2008 before being limited by a nagging hamstring injury in 2010.

Top 10

Von Miller

Texas A&M, 6-2, 245

Considered by some the most NFL-ready prospect regardless of position
Akeem Ayers

UCLA, 6-2, 253

Well-rounded player who produced in coverage, pass rush and run stopping
Bruce Carter

North Carolina, 6-2, 240

Solid player with great speed and quickness; Butkus Award finalist
Martez Wilson

Illinois, 6-3, 250

All-Big Ten selection had 112 total tackles in 2010
Chris Carter

Fresno State, 6-1, 247

Projected as a 3-4 OLB at NFL level with good pass-rush ability
Colin McCarthy

Miami, 6-2, 240

Led UM with 119 tackles in first season as ILB
Dontay Moch

Nevada, 6-1, 247

Possesses stunning 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed
Akeem Dent

Georgia, 6-1, 240

Big hitter racked up 126 total tackles as a senior
Quan Sturdivant

North Carolina, 6-1, 239

A solid prospect who will drop because of injury-plagued senior season
Mason Foster

Washington, 6-1, 244

Led the Pac-10 with 163 tackles; notched 6.5 sacks as a senior
Von Miller

Texas A&M, 6-2, 245

Considered by some the most NFL-ready prospect regardless of position
Akeem Ayers

UCLA, 6-2, 253

Well-rounded player who produced in coverage, pass rush and run stopping
Bruce Carter

North Carolina, 6-2, 240

Solid player with great speed and quickness; Butkus Award finalist
Martez Wilson

Illinois, 6-3, 250

All-Big Ten selection had 112 total tackles in 2010
Chris Carter

Fresno State, 6-1, 247

Projected as a 3-4 OLB at NFL level with good pass-rush ability
Colin McCarthy

Miami, 6-2, 240

Led UM with 119 tackles in first season as ILB
Dontay Moch

Nevada, 6-1, 247

Possesses stunning 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed
Akeem Dent

Georgia, 6-1, 240

Big hitter racked up 126 total tackles as a senior
Quan Sturdivant

North Carolina, 6-1, 239

A solid prospect who will drop because of injury-plagued senior season
Mason Foster

Washington, 6-1, 244

Led the Pac-10 with 163 tackles; notched 6.5 sacks as a senior

Best guess

The Bucs have a strong need at linebacker. Look for a pick in the early to middle rounds, particularly at middle linebacker. That could signal the end of Ruud's tenure in Tampa Bay.

Regardless, the Bucs will look to stockpile linebacker talent after largely ignoring the position last year.

Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/tampa-bay-buccaneers-draft-linebackers/1166154

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