User:rorynoonanDate:29/12/2012Time:10:44:28Edition:29/12/2012Satsatecho291212Page:56Color:
EE - V2
Evening Echo
Kenton Walker, UCC Demons, battles with Ian McLoughlin, Bord Gais Neptune, during the Nivea for Men's SuperLeague Basketball game at the Mardyke Arena. Picture: Jim Coughlan
SPORT
SOCCER
Demons hold Neptune off BASKETBALL
AS the UCC Demons captain Shane Coughlan sat on the bench after his side’s thrilling 68-66 win over Bord Gais Neptune he found it hard to understand why his team has almost collapsed in their last three victories, ZULWHV -2+1 &28*+/$1 Coughlan, in his 15th season at SuperLeague level, once again showed his class with a stunning reverse jump shot that hurt Neptune when the game was on the line. Coughlan summed up his team’s performance: “We were OK in the first half, but to be fair, Neptune were well below par and we were fortunate to have a 17-point interval lead,” Shane said. Coughlan, who recently celebrated his 32nd birthday, is finding the going tough in recent months as his side have lost a number of key players. “I was not playing 38 minutes 10 years ago in my prime and tonight when the game was on the line I was ending up with the ball and when you are fatigued it does not help. “The bones are sore again and although we won I am sure Neptune will be tougher opponents when we play them in the cup in January,” added Shane. ● See P51 for more.
Munster star duo on bench Impact role for O’Gara and Coughlan Ronan O’Gara could be sprung from the bench.
THE big talking point ahead of tonight’s Rabo Direct Pro 12 clash with Ulster at Thomond Park (5.30pm) is of Cork pair James Coughlan and Ronan O’Gara starting on the bench. Ian Keatley, who played the atrocious conditions well against Connacht last weekend, retains the number 10 jersey ahead of O’Gara. Coughlan, who hasn’t put a foot wrong since returning from injury, also starts on the bench and this is most likely to keep the player fresh with such important games looming. The Munster bench is far superior in strength and experience than the visitors’ one and clearly coach Rob Penney is expecting a war of attrition where impact subs
Fergie brands Toon a wee club
THE fallout from Manchester United’s Boxing Day clash with Newcastle continued yesterday as Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson launched an astonishing tirade at Magpies counterpart Alan Pardew. The Scot has been the centre of attention since his march on to the Old Trafford pitch on Boxing Day to condemn referee Mike Dean for awarding the visitors’ controversial second goal in the hosts’ 4-3 win. Dean confirmed on Thursday he would not be reporting Ferguson. Ferguson insists he did nothing wrong, and defended his conduct, admitting he was “an emotional guy”. However, he is clearly furious with Pardew, who on Thursday claimed Dean might have handled the situation in a different way and that Ferguson was lucky not to get sent off. “Alan Pardew has come out and criticised me,” Ferguson said. “Alan Pardew is the worst at haranguing referees. His whole staff, every game. “He forgets the help I gave him. The press have had a field day out of it. They have addressed every possible avenue. The only one they left out is Barack Obama. He is too busy. “That is unfortunate. I carry that because I am the manager of the most famous club in the world. We are not like Newcastle, a wee club in the north east.” ● See P52 for more.
James Coughlan.
RUGBY By SEAN McCARTHY can make all the difference in a tight situation. Internationals Peter O’Mahony, Simon Zebo and Conor Murray make a return to the starting lineup for the Reds in the first of four vital games for the province over the coming four weeks. Damien Varley returns in place of Mike Sherry and he’s expecting a tough game. “They have some great players up there and they are running away with it at the top of the table. “But it would be a great way for us to finish 2012 by winning against them. We have a few big weeks ahead of us.” ● Full-back Denis Hurley will become the 25th Munster player to win 100 competitive caps this evening. He is the son of Gerry, a member of the famous 1978 All-Black conquering squad. ● See P53 for more.
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