TERAPROOF:User: tonyphilpott Date: 01/01/2007 Time: 23:04:59Edition: 02/01/2007 Examiner LiveXX-0201Page: 25Zone:XX1

XX1 - V1 Irish Examiner Tuesday 02.01.2007 SPORT 25 REFLECTIONS: Continuing today, leading writers select their sporting highlight of 2006 State honours Nakamura leads Asian invasion for sports heroes

My 2006 sporting high Eoghan Sweeney

F THERE’S been a free kick to match it, I can’t think of it. In IT TOOK a helluvalot of blood, I terms of significance, perhaps sweat and tears to drive the British em- Beckham against Greece or Zidane pireout of the greaterpart of thisis- against England are up there. Neither land and to rid our institutionsof the was hit from the same distance, trappings of colonialism. though, or with quite the precision Vere dignum et justum est — it was that Shunsuke Nakamura summoned totally right and fitting. But we should to beat Edwin van der Sar for the sec- have retained their annual honours list, ond time this season. especially for sporting stars. Under the cosh for 80 minutes, Itis the one elementof theirperiod Celtic looked as if they would be of occupation that I annually regret we lucky to escape with a draw. Nakamu- ditched. ra’s moment of genius provided one of It would have been very appropriate, the greatest results in the Hoops’ his- for example, if the sterling Kildare vet- tory and ensured him hero status at eran Glenn Ryan could have been pre- the club. sented withan Irish version of the But Glasgow Celtic turning over OBE, when his long and distinguished Manchester United in a major Euro- footballing careerfinally ended In the pean match — sporting moment of rain atSaint Conleth’s Park just as the the year? Presumably the pick of ei- old year ended. ther a Celtic fan or an ABU? Well, Hadweany kind of honourssystem no. To be honest, I can never under- forour sportsmen and women in stand the bizarre “allegiance” Irish place,then Glenn would bejoining people form toward non-Irish teams. the ranks of such as Sir Mick O’Dwyer Give me a night in the Showgrounds of The Lakes,SirSeanBoylan of Tara, or Turner’s Cross any time. As far as CommanderBomber Liston of the I’m concerned, lads from Ballincollig Reeks,SirPeter CanavanofErrigal, or Ballisodare getting hissy over the Dame Sonia O’Sullivan, Sir DJ Carey relative merits of Arsenal or Liverpool Glasgow Celtic’s Shunsuke Nakamura, left, celebrates scoring against ManchesterUnited during the ChampionsLeaguegame atCelticPark,Glasgow. Picture: PA of Kilkenny,Baron Joe KernanofAr- might as well be working themselves magh, Sir Sean Óg Ó hAilpín of Shan- up over the All Saints versus Girls don, CommanderCharlie Swan,Sir Aloud rivalry. Injuries prevented him shining in Se- One pundit in these pages passing him better. Steve Coppell clearly appearances by a foreign player in the Aiden O’Brien, and ahost of other Still, we all have our footballing rie A, but saw judgment on Alex Ferguson’s signing agreed and Reading fans must be . sporting dignitaries. foibles and prejudices. Mine comes enough to be convinced. of Park Ji-sung seemed blissfully un- pleased he did. In an era of unprecedented hype It seems to me that we have some from spending the majority of my Parkhead’s new playmaker arrived aware that this was a player who had The other member of the Korean and saturation coverage, however, kind of hidden honourssystem in the working life covering sports in east the day after his new teammates’ infa- been outstanding in both legs of a Premiership triumvirate, Lee Nakamura’s wonder-goal, in such a world of the arts,for example, which Asia. It’s impossible to work among mous pummeling by Artmedia Champions League semi-final. Park Young-pyo, looks in with a good dramatic setting, took Asian players to may be called Aosdana and is shrouded athletes in that part of the world and Bratislava. Under pressure a new mes- had also put Portugal out of the 2002 chance of wrenching back his first a new height. in a kind of Celtic myth. not end up wanting them to succeed siah, Nakamura, delivered with a man World Cup with a goal of such skill team spot at Spurs from Benoit As- Thousands, if not millions, of little Itispossible, indeed probable,that at the highest level, such is the hon- of the match performance on his de- that, had it been scored by Bergkamp sou-Ekotta. That doesn’t surprise me Shunsukes will have spent much of the members of this elitegroup, often esty and diligence with which they go but against Dundee United. He has or Owen, we’d still be watching too much; although less naturally tal- the past few weeks practising free largely unknown to most of us, receive about their business. hardly looked back since and these re-runs of it on cable TV to a Chem- ented than Park or Seol, Lee was kicks and will dream of emulating the some kind of annual stipend from the Nakamura is one such player. Hav- days stands out a mile as the creative ical Brothers soundtrack. probably the most single-mindedly continent’s latest hero. Whether it’s Island of Saints and Scholars and vari- ing established himself as possibly the hub around which Celtic’s graft re- Having had a solid first season at ambitious Korean footballer I’ve had enough for Asian players to be taken ous other perks. J-League’s top playmaker, he suffered a volves. His arrival at Celtic added one , Park was unlucky to the privilege of speaking with. seriously in this neck of the woods is Itiscertainlytrue thatall the top crushing disappointment ahead of the more name to the small group of tear ankle ligaments just as United hit The guarantee of a very comfortable questionable, given the extent to stars in the world of the arts avoid pay- 2002 World Cup. The Japanese Asians in the orbit inhabited by a purple patch. Back in action in time living in their domestic leagues makes which attitudes to football here seem ing income taxand receive the thanks looked forward to the playmaker dis- British — and Irish — football fans, for the busy Christmas/New Year run, the uncertainty of a move to a filtered through the British tabloids. and appreciation of agrateful State in playing his skills on home soil before a which consists mainly of the Premier- he may still have much to offer Unit- difficult choice for Korea and Japan’s Still, Irish people tempted to write retur n. worldwide audience. Japan manager ship and, perhaps, teams that Premier- ed’s season, but will have to work to top players. Lee took a significant pay them off as shirt-sellers would do well What, one asks, will be the State’s , however, didn’t ship sides meet in Europe. dislodge one of the in-form midfield- cut and a trial period in Eindhoven to ask themselves: Did Celtic get any- recognition and thanksforsporting share their enthusiasm. The French- The arrival of these players has gen- er s. before the PSV fans clamoured for where near as much value out of greats suchas Glenn Ryanwho has man caused a national uproar by omit- erally prompted sneers about “shirt Park’s misfortune has coincided with him to be signed. Keano as they have from Shun-chan? thrilled hundredsof thousandsof us ting Nakamura from his finals squad, sales”, as if top managers are willing a blistering spell of form from interna- Asians have succeeded in Europe in downthe years,farmore thanthe dismissing him as a “luxury”. to reserve a place for a fashion model tional teammate Seol Ki-hyeon. Lan- the past, though. Korea’s Cha overwhelming majority of the Aosdana Nakamura made little fuss, leaving at outside left. guishing on the bench at Wolves last Bum-keun starred on two UEFA Cup folk? Marinos to begin a Euro- Such comments are generally as season, Seol insisted to the Korean winning teams and for a long time TOMORROW: Brendan O’Brien’s There are some who would argue, of pean career with Italian side Reggina. ill-informed as they are prejudiced. media that the Premiership would suit held the records for both goals and selection course, that you cannot create a host of lords and knights in thisRepublic of oursif youdo nothaveahouseof lords to send them into on acouple of solemn and ceremonial occasions every yea r . Bristol cheats, says Saint Andre Nonsense. A little bit of legislation Van Barneveld pulls could easily reconstruct the largely ob- solete Senate to meet the situation. by Ian Laybourn scrum five metres from the Sale line, with -half Daniel Larrachea kickedtwo Ifthat isnot feasible,then setting up the Sharks director of rugby arguing that penaltiesto giveSale a6-3 leadbut his the plug on The Power aHouseof Sporting Lordswould cost ANGRY Sale boss Philippe Saint Andre Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbewas indecision failed to gethisbackline alot less than,say,a sworninquiry of accused Bristol of cheating after they illegallyprevented from making the moving and the visitors soaked up the type thatwe seem to besetting up condemned hisside toa surprise10-6 t ackle. pressure from the hard-working Sharks every six months or so! defeat at Edgeley Park. “I feel very sad for the players because it pack to keep their line intact. RAYMOND Van Barneveld he had earlierstruggled to hit The splendid publicity suchanact The West Country side remain top of was nota try,” he said. “Theirback row Hill admitted he would have settled for beat the oddsto topple Phil when the pressure was on. would create would make international the Guinness Premiership after keptLobbe in the scrumby pulling his apoint beforethe game and remains “The Power” Taylor in a last-leg Taylor had won the first three headlines, enhance the State, and, completing anotable double over the jer sey. dumbfounded by his team’s position at the sudden deathshoot-out towin sets of the match beforeVan aboveall, would properly honour and reigning champions,who arenow 13 “They did the same thing against Bath top of the League. the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Barneveld claimed the next thank thosewhose sporting exploits points adrift aftergoing downto athird last week. It’s cheating. I’m very cross. We “It’s abizarre situation,”he said. “We Champion s hip. t wo. make all our years brighterand more defeat in 11 days. spoketothe referee about itbeforethe didn’t play well and it was a poor game by In the 13thset, “Barney” Taylor went 5-3ahead but stimulating,notto mention,of course, Bristol number eight forward Dan game.” both sides. finallyshook off Taylor totake Van Barneveld,the former more memorable. Ward-Smith pressed hisEngland claims Bristol director of rugby RichardHill “It’s unbelievable.We seem to scrap the title. BDO world champion, claimed The English, who in all fairness are withthe onlytry of the match on 68 defended his side, saying: “It’s certainly these wins out. Van Barneveld had missed the next two to lead for the first masters of these matters, have a lovely minutes but Saint Andre insisted the score not a deliberate policy but everybody tries “If youtake away the Leicester match, severalchances totake the title time. Taylor pegged him back little kink in their system (and I’m not should have been disallowed becauseof to push the rules to the limit. we’ve not conceded a try in our last five in the 13th set before finally again, however,before the epic speaking about peeragesfor sale), obstr uction. “No side is whiterthan white. I would games which is where our success has finishing the matchby checking matchwentto the finalsetat which also allows for the honouring of Ward-Smithwent overunopposed for hope myplayers would do everything come. out on double top —adouble 6-6. such lowprofile folk as shoe shiners at the all-important try directly from a they can to gain an advantage.” “It has been a big defensive effort.” airports,lollipop ladiesat school cross- ings,retired milkmen and otherex- traordinary individuals who do pretty DIGEST ordinary jobs. We should have the same little kink exactly for such vitalelements of the AMERICAN FOOTBALL Finbarrs) 30:20; 3 J Murphy (Eagle) 31:02. B Flaherty (Skibbereen) 26:30; 7 A Prina-Mello (Grange-Fermoy) 29:11; 3 S Holland (Membourne) BASKETBALL O55: 1 P Twomey (Eagle) 31:18; 2 J Walshe (East (Rathfarnham-WSAF) 27:46; 8 P Levick (Yeovil Town, 41:20. sporting scene as the ladieswho wash NFL: Philadelphia Eagles 24 Atlanta Falcons 17, NBA: LA Clippers 90 New York Knicks 80, San Cork) 33:25; 3 D Desmond (Rising Sun) 33:57. O40) 27:49; 9 C Kelly (St Finbarrs) 27:53; 10 D Murphy Women: 1 L McCreesh (Sale) 28:25; 2 C Crowley Antonio the jerseys and make the teaafter Baltimore Ravens 19 Buffalo Bills 7, New Orleans (St Finbarrs) 27:59. (Bandon, O35) 29:21; 3 C Keohane (Leevale) 30:43; 4 Saints 21 Carolina Panthers 31, Houston Texans 14 O60: 1 M Dunne (St Finbarrs) 31:58; 2 N O’Leary Spurs 95 Atlanta Hawks 81, Detroit Pistons 101 (Belgooly) 36:18; 3 J McMurtry (Midleton) 40:15. O40: 3 E Carroll (St Finbarrs) 30:05; 4 K Sievewright M Sweeney (St Finbarrs, O45) 30:50; 5 M Dinan (St Phoenix Suns 108, Houston Rockets matches; for loyalclub members who Cleveland Browns 6, Dallas Cowboys 31 Detroit Lions (Eagle) 30:15. Finbarrs, O35) 32:56; 6 S McGarry (St Finbarrs) 33:41; 39, Chicago Bears 7 Green Bay Packers 26, Kansas O65: 1 G Webb (Rising Sun) 39:43. 111 Memphis Grizzlies 109, Denver Nuggets 85 drivejuveniles tomatches on wet MJ: 1 J O’Driscoll (Skibbereen) 28:17; 2 B Lyons O45: 1 J O’Sullivan (Bandon) 29:10; 2 D Carroll 7 N Roe (Eagle) 34:16; 8 B Hannon (St Finbarrs, O35) Dallas Mavericks 89, LA Lakers 104 City Chiefs 35 Jacksonville Jaguars 30, Indianapolis (Eagle) 29:33; 3 S Murphy (Rising Sun) 33:30. 34:42; 9 M Murphy (St Finbarrs, O45) 34:45; 10 M Wednesdays; for the unpaid secretaries Colts 27 Miami Dolphins 22, Tennessee Titans 23 (Grange-Fermoy) 29:11; 3 S Holland (Membourne) Philadelphia 76ers 94, Seattle Supersonics 101 41:20. O50: 1 E McEvoy (St Finbarrs) 28:29; 2 W Hayes (St Flynn (Rathfarnham-WSAF) 34:53. Boston Celtics 95 and treasurers who are out flogging New England Patriots 40, New York Jets 23 Oakland Finbarrs) 30:20; 3 J Murphy (Eagle) 31:02. O40: 1 N Fitzpatrick (Bandon) 35:04; 2 P O’Sullivan Raiders 3, Cincinnati Bengals 17 Pittsburgh Steelers Women: 1 L McCreesh (Sale) 28:25; 2 C Crowley (Skibbereen) 35:25; 3 F Kirwan (Eagle) 35:44. GAA lottery tickets to keep the club’sfi- 23 (OT), Minnesota Vikings 21 St Louis Rams 41, San (Bandon, O35) 29:21; 3 C Keohane (Leevale) 30:43; 4 O55: 1 P Twomey (Eagle) 31:18; 2 J Walshe (East Diego Chargers 27 Arizona Cardinals 20, Tampa Bay M Sweeney (St Finbarrs, O45) 30:50; 5 M Dinan (St Cork) 33:25; 3 D Desmond (Rising Sun) 33:57. O45: 3 A Murphy (Kerry Pike) 38:26. Credit Union U21 Football Invitation Cup: nances afloat. Buccaneers 7 Seattle Seahawks 23, Denver Broncos Finbarrs, O35) 32:56; 6 S McGarry (St Finbarrs) 33:41; O60: 1 M Dunne (St Finbarrs) 31:58; 2 N O’Leary O50: 1 M Beausang (Midleton) 42:46; 2 K O’Connell Ballincollig 2-8 Rathmore Kilcummin 1-8; St 23 San Francisco 49ers 26 (OT) 7 N Roe (Eagle) 34:16; 8 B Hannon (St Finbarrs, O35) (Belgooly) 36:18; 3 J McMurtry (Midleton) 40:15. (Midleton) 45:19. Brendans 0-11 Duhallow 0-9. Arise Baroness Molly of Baltinglass, 34:42; 9 M Murphy (St Finbarrs, O45) 34:45; 10 M O65: 1 G Webb (Rising Sun) 39:43. FJ: 1 C Santry (Carrigtwohill) 40:35. Cork Minor Board: Ulster Bank Co. M’A’HL final: Dame Mary Murphyof Mullingar, ANGLING MJ: 1 J O’Driscoll (Skibbereen) 28:17; 2 B Lyons Wheelchair: 1 J Forde (Blarney-Inniscarra) 40:14. Killeagh-Itas 1-12 Tracton 1-6. Flynn (Rathfarnham-WSAF) 34:53. Commander Mick Murphyof Gee- Tralee Bay SAC fished a shore angling competition O40: 1 N Fitzpatrick (Bandon) 35:04; 2 P O’Sullivan ICE HOCKEY at Castlegregory. The competitors fished on a calm (Skibbereen) 35:25; 3 F Kirwan (Eagle) 35:44. vagh, Sir Sean O’Sullivan of Moyvane. NHL: Minnesota Wild 4 Anaheim Ducks 3, Columbus dry day on a flood tide from 11am to 4pm The O45: 3 A Murphy (Kerry Pike) 38:26. competitors shared a 31 fish catch – 2 flounders, 17 Blue Jackets In their own way, all are as important O50: 1 M Beausang (Midleton) 42:46; 2 K O’Connell 3 Chicago Blackhawks 1, Detroit Red Wings 6 Los lesser-spotted dogfish, 1 coalfish, 9 bass, 1 plaice & 1 (Midleton) 45:19. to the overall scheme of things as Sirs painted ray. Angeles Kings 2, Calgary Flames 4 Edmonton Oilers FJ: 1 C Santry (Carrigtwohill) 40:35. 2, Dallas Stars 2 San Jose Sharks 4, Carolina Christy Ring and Sean O’Neill of the 1st L. Foley, 6 fish, 243 points; 2nd J. O’Sullivan, 4 – Wheelchair: 1 J Forde (Blarney-Inniscarra) 40:14. Hurricanes 2Philadelphia Flyers 5 163 pts; 3rd S. O’Sullivan, 4– 160 pts. Juveniles; Luke Mournes. And Baron Brian Corcoran O’ O’Sullivan, 1-37 pts. Tullamore Harriers New Years Handicap Race: J. Wrafter 15:40; 2. J. Scanlon 16:07; 3. J. O’Reilly 16:10. RUGBY UNION the First. Carrigaline DSAC hosted the Stable Bar Cup boat Fastest Time: C. Grennan 16:33. Guinness Premiership sea angling competition. The anglers fished on a fair Bath 30 Wasps 19. Gloucester 15 London Irish 3. Itmatters little enough thatour day. The event was fished from 10am-5pm on a slack Charles O’Shea memorial 10km Road Race, , Co Kerry Harlequins 42 Newcastle 15. Leicester 28 Saracens sportsmen and women arealreadythe tide. The competitors returned a catch of 66 fish – 1 15. Northampton 9 Worcester 10. Sale 6 Bristol 10. ling, 4 cod, 24 lesser-spotted dogfish, 1 coalfish, 1 1 C Murphy (Iveragh) 32:36; 2 D O’Callaghan (Riocht) emperors, kings and queens of our pollack, 5 pouting, 20 whiting, 2 cuckoo wrasse, 1 red 33:16; 3 E McKenna (Riocht) 33:45; 4 B King (Iveragh, SOCCER gurnard & 7 grey gurnard. O40) 34:42; 5 W Reidy (Riocht) 35:02; 6 P O’Shea sporting worlds,honoured throughout (Iveragh, O55) 35:22; 7 J Barrett (Gneeveguilla, O40) Beamish Stout Munster Senior Cup, third round: 1st D. Jenkinson, 15 fish, 114 points; 2nd D. Jolly, Killarney Celtic 3 St. Mary’s 2 (aet). the land and often abroad, and that 17-99; 3rd W. Robinson, 10-77 pts. 35:27; 8 S Twomey (Gneeveguilla) 35:38; 9 A Fitzgerald (Farranfore-Maine Valley) 35:48; 10 J Beamish Stout Senior Premier Div; Tr amo r e they are pleasurably aware of the fact of Crosshaven SAC fished a rambler shore angling O’Driscoll (Skibbereen, MJ) 35:51. Athletic 1 Blarney Utd 2. competition in the Cork Harbour area, from 11am to All other games postponed. their fame. 6pm Weather conditions were wet & . The O40: 2 G Ladden (Desmond-Currans) 38:01. competitors returned a 37 fish catch – 4 conger eels, O45: 1 T Shanahan (Riocht) 35:59; 2 M O’Shea TENNIS The addition of a ceremonial title 3 flounders, 1 cod, 13 lesser-spotted dogfish, 7 (Iveragh) 36:16. would be an imaginative touch. And it O50: 1 J McCarthy (Mallow) 41:51; 2 T Horgan WTA Mondial Australian Women's Hardcourts, coalfish & 9 whiting. Gold Coast, Australia 1st D. Desmond, 4 fish, 93 points; 2nd T. Hanlon, (Killarney) 43:29. wouldn't have to be Knight or Lord ei- O55: 2 M O’Connor (Farranfore-Maine Valley) 40:40. 1st rd: (3) Ana Ivanovic (Ser) bt Roberta Vinci (Ita) 8-87; 3rd F. Vickery, 3-78. 7-6 (7-5) 6-1, Tathiana t he r . ATHLETICS Team: 1 Riocht 21; 2 Iveragh 23; 3 Gneeveguilla 44. Garbin (Ita) bt (4) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (Ger) 7-6 What about the more Gaelic custom Women: 1 M Prenderville (Riocht) 39:41; 2 M (7-4) 6-7 (2-7) 6-3, (5) Shahar Peer (Isr) bt Meghann Donogh Coughlan Memorial 5-Mile Road Race, Mahony (unatt) 42:02; 3 M (Duhallow, FJ) 42:52; Shaughnessy (USA) 6-1 5-7 6-0, Nicole Pratt (Aus) bt of, for example,The Harrington of Bandon, Co Cork: 1 A O’Shea (Bantry) 24:36; 2 R 4 M Fitzgerald (Farranfore-Maine Valley, FJ) 42:57; 5 Elena Bovina (Rus) 6-2 6-7 (4-7) 6-1, (6) Na Li (Chn) bt The Woodsor The Carruth? OrThe Zakis (West Waterford) 25:15; 3 S Conroy (Leevale) M Finn (Millstreet, O40) 44:09; 6 C Finn (Duhallow, Sandra Zahlavova (Cze) 6-0 6-4, (7) Katarina 25:34; 4 S McGrath (East Cork) 25:42; 5 C O’Connell FJ) 45:38; 7 B Barrett (Gneeveguilla, O40) 46:43; 8 G Srebotnik (Slo) bt Vania King (USA) 6-4 6-3, Olga Cooper? Nothing at all wrong with (St Finbarrs, O40) 25:49; 6 B Flaherty (Skibbereen) Finn (Duhallow, FJ) 47:22; 9 J Sheehan (Fossa, O40) Poutchkova (Rus) bt Juliana Fedak (Ukr) 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 that either. 26:30; 7 A Prina-Mello (Rathfarnham-WSAF) 27:46; 8 49:44; 10 S O’Sullivan (Riocht) 51:52. (7-5) 6-3; Samantha Stosur (Aus) bt Shuai Peng (Chn) P Levick (Yeovil Town, O40) 27:49; 9 C Kelly (St Team: 1 Duhallow 109; 2 Riocht 126; 3 Gneeveguilla 5-7 6-2 6-1, Maria The thinkers of this Statemight Finbarrs) 27:53; 10 D Murphy (St Finbarrs) 27:59. 146. Kirilenko (Rus) bt Flavia Pennetta (Ita) 6-1 6-2 ponder the matter over this new twelve O40: 3 E Carroll (St Finbarrs) 30:05; 4 K Sievewright Donough Coughlan Memorial 5-Mile Road Race, National Indoors at Riverview, Dublin: Men’s (Eagle) 30:15. Bandon, Co Cork Paul Roche, John Crowley and Cork hurling star Kieran Murphy with young Singles final: N. Rooney bt J. McGee 5-6 (McGee months and take some action. O45: 1 J O’Sullivan (Bandon) 29:10; 2 D Carroll 1 A O’Shea (Bantry) 24:36; 2 R Zakis (West Waterford) supporters at the Sarsfields Juvenile Hurling Club Puc Fada at Riverstown on forced to retire injured). Isuggest thatthe firstname on the (Eagle) 29:33; 3 S Murphy (Rising Sun) 33:30. 25:15; 3 S Conroy (Leevale) 25:34; 4 S McGrath (East Women’s Singles final: E. Murphy bt A. M. Hogan O50: 1 E McEvoy (St Finbarrs) 28:29; 2 W Hayes (St Cork) 25:42; 5 C O’Connell (St Finbarrs, O40) 25:49; 6 StStephen’sDay. Picture: Neil hurley 6-4, 6-1. list be The Ryan of Kildare......