User:rorynoonanDate:21/01/2013Time:12:33:53Edition:21/01/2013MonEchoMon210113Page:56Color:
EE - V2
Evening Echo
Munster’s win proves simple for Simon
SPORT
RUGBY SIMON ZEBO lit up Thomond Park yesterday a with a dazzling hat-trick of tries to send Munster into the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup and knock great rivals Leinster out, ZULWHV 6(¤1 0F&$57+< The Cork Con player now goes into Ireland camp for the next fortnight in top form physically and mentally after putting in a great display in a five-star Munster display. Munster will face Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins in London on the first weekend of April at the Stoop after the Premiership club rejected suggestions of moving the game to a bigger venue such as Twickenham. The game will mean a financial windfall for Munster as the gate receipts from the 14,800 capacity Stoop will be divided 50-50. Munster coach Rob Penney will have no fear facing the English giants and while he knows it will be a huge ask of his side, he feels his own side have a great chance. Meanwhile, four Munster players have been called up to the Ireland training squad in Carton House on the back of their performances yesterday. James Coughlan, Tommy O'Donnell, Mike Sherry and Damien Varley have all benefited from Munster's win over Racing Metro and joined up with their Ireland colleagues last night.
Munster’s Simon Zebo scores a try against Racing Metro. Picture:
INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Leeds coming to town CORK CITY will face a Leeds United XI at Turner’s Cross on Thursday, February 7 as part of the club’s pre-season preparations. The game will kick-off at 7.45 pm and tickets will be priced at €13 for adults, €8 for juveniles and €5 for U13s and senior citizens, and will be on sale from the club shop in Douglas Village Shopping Centre and the club office in Bishopstown.
City to face Yorkshire side in friendly They will also be available online from Ticketmaster. The club is pleased to confirm that there will be a €2 discount on adult tickets available to FORAS Trustees and Season Ticket holders until close of business on Monday, January 28. Meanwhile, Waterford United have announced that they have today re-signed Cork’s Craig Burns
SOCCER
By BARBARA O’CONNELL for the coming 2013 season. The young defender was one of the stand-out performers in last year’s Blues squad, developing into an assured centre-back over the course of the season, and attract-
ing the attention of several Premier Division clubs in recent weeks. But the Cork defender was more than happy to return to the RSC for another season, having really enjoyed his time and his football on Suirside last year. Craig adds strength and mobility to the heart of the defence, is equally strong in the air or with the ball at his feet, and at still only
20 years of age has the potential to further develop into a truly exceptional defender,” said manager Paul O’Brien. O’Brien is more than happy with Craig’s return. “We are delighted that Craig has committed himself to the Blues again. “He is a super young talent, had an outstanding campaign with us last year, and will be an excellent addition to the side.” ● See P38-43 for more soccer.