User:rorynoonanDate:23/01/2013Time:14:25:11Edition:23/01/2013Wedwedecho230113Page:56Color:
EE - V1
Evening Echo
SPORT
Champion Dales turn over leaders UCC
Local soccer: P38-47
McGinn has cup final dream for Neptune Basketball: P48
Stephens stuns hero Serena to reach semi
● Sloane Stephens stunned childhood idol Serena Williams to reach the Australian Open semi-finals today. ● Williams’ chances were hindered by a back injury suffered midway through the second set but credit Stephens, who kept her nerve to complete a 3-6 7-5 6-4 win. ● Stephens, 19, had a picture of Williams on her wall growing up and she joked afterwards: “I will have to put one of myself now!”
MUNSTER’S hat-trick hero from last Sunday Simon Zebo has been short-listed for the ERC European Player of the Year Award. The winger has dazzled defences in the Heineken Cup and has been included in the 15-man panel of players who have made it through to the quarter-finals. That number will be reduced to five after the semi-finals and the winner will be picked in May after the final. Zebo, right, is joined by Rory Best and is currently in camp with the Irish team. At that camp Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip has said that he will be inspired by his father when he leads Ireland in the Six Nations Championship. Captain Heaslip is outranked by his father Richard, a retired army
Feeling the cold..?
up to 40% OFF duvets & pillows in our Winter Sale!
‘ANTIALLERGY’ DUVET Single €55 - €32.50 Double €75 - €45 King €95 - €55 S/King €115 - €62 Wide range of Flannelette sheets on sale Also fleece mattress covers from €16
118 Oliver Plunkett St., Cork. Tel: 021 4277360
The powerful Kanturk man was a dual star underage, and even though his preference is now for football, he hasn’t ruled out featuring for Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s hurlers in the future. “Definitely, I’d love to have a cut off it if they would still like me,” he said. “Growing up, I’ve always loved hurling and when I was a minor, hurling was my number one. “I probably would have picked hurling at the time but winning the U21 All-Ireland in ’09, just coming out of minor, that’s what swayed me towards football. “I was approached about hurling this year but I said to myself straight away that football was going to be number one again.” The difficulties Eoin Cadogan
League Cup: P53
Zebo is shortlisted for Euro award
Walsh still has hurling dream AIDAN Walsh would still love to fulfil his dream of hurling for Cork on the biggest stage.
Bradford heroes see off Villains
HURLING faced trying to combine hurling and football served as a warning to Walsh. “In my own opinion, I thought he would have picked hurling. But I’m delighted he picked football. We’re lucky this year because we’ve also got Damien Cahalane. He’s one of the finest footballers in Cork. “I’ve always asked myself would I be able for it (dual status). One thing that set me back from trying to do it is being from an intermediate club. I play with my division in senior hurling and football so that’s two extra teams.” Though he has two All-Stars since ’09 and the 2010 All-Ireland medal, Walsh is as motivated as ever heading into the new season. “You have regrets and you have things you want to improve on.” ● See P49 for more.
RUGBY
By SEÁN McCARTHY colonel, who was based for many years in Fermoy with the 1st Motor Squadron. “My dad’s quite the moral compass at times. “He’s a pioneer, a religious man. He’s a good sounding board. He would know how to deal with a diverse group of characters, like you do on a rugby team.” ● See P34.
SWAN BEDS
MATTRESS
SALE NOW ON ENDS SOON CORK’S ONLY EXCLUSIVE BED STORE 2 VICARS ROAD, TOGHER
021 4961711