User:rorynoonanDate:13/02/2013Time:11:25:56Edition:13/02/2013Wedwedecho130213Page:56Color:
EE - V1
Evening Echo
SPORT
Fergie: I worry about Ronaldo
UCC TO FACE CIT IN LAST EIGHT: UCC’s Brian O'Muirithe under pressure from Liam Markham of NUI Galway during their Fitzgibbon Cup match at the Mardyke, below, left, WIT’s Stephen Roche tackles CIT’s Michael Sheedy. See reports on P52, 53.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Ray of hope for hurlers
PHIL JONES is set to be handed one of the toughest jobs in world football – stopping Ronaldo. Fresh from his successful man-marking job on Everton dangerman Marouanne Fellaini, Jones will be told by Sir Alex Ferguson to do the same to Real Madrid’s star man at the Bernabeu tonight. But first the United boss will have to hope his prayers are answered and Jones – who has emerged as a key man for United in the Champions League last-16 first leg glamour tie – recovers from a calf injury to take his place in the team It is not a standard Fergie tactic for an opposition player to be singled out for special treatment. But he is ready to make an exception for Ronaldo’s first meeting with the Reds since leaving Old Trafford for Madrid in 2009 for a record £80m. Since then Ronaldo has scored 182 goals in 179 games for Madrid, with Fergie admitting that he is the one player he is worried about ahead of the first leg tie at the Bernabeu. “I never thought he would get that amount of goals to be honest with you, Ronaldo is the one you worry about,” Alex Ferguson said. With Rio Ferdinand rested for Sunday’s 2-0 win over Everton, it is highly likely he will be back to partner Nemanja Vidic at centre back. ● See P49 for more.
Ray Cummins
But Cummins not optimistic for league
FORMER great Ray Cummins believes the Cork hurlers are in for a very difficult year. The former dual star believes Cork are in transition, but is holding off on final judgement until he sees how they fare in the league. “It’s very much a young and it’s going to take them another while to gain the experience,” Cummins said. “That’s one of the reasons why I am
HURLING
not terribly optimistic this year, I think they are in transition. I’d like to see a few league matches before I could answer that question with any kind of confidence, but I am not optimistic, they have a steep mountain to climb.” The former Blackrock man also believes the management team made the right decision to cut Donal Óg Cusack from their league squad. He also believes the Cork footballers have underachieved and need to work harder. “I wasn’t that shocked at Donal Óg Cusack’s omission because there are good, young lads who deserve their chance. “There’s only a limited period when you have the honour of wearing the jersey and you hand it over to someone else. “I don’t know what’s in the mind of the selectors. Is Donal Óg good enough to play? He probably is but you have to give youth its chance too. “There have been two sub keepers there for sevChurchyard Lane, Well Road, Douglas, Cork eral years.’’ Tel. 021-4294633 Mob: 087-52215266 Fax. 021-4294658 On the football front, the Cummins believes a Email.info@bndwindows.ie number of things need
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Management made right decision on Cusack situation. addressing for them to challenge this year. “We have always struggled with scoring forwards and over the last number of years we have had the best bunch we’ve ever had. “Now, I would be critical of their workrate, because I think it isn’t good enough and that would be my reason for them not succeeding as much as they should. On Eoin Cadogan’s decision to concentrate on just one code, he believes that the qualifiers have made it extra difficult for dual players. “I’d have thought that he’d have opted for hurling because there’s no comparison in terms of skill in the two games ● More GAA P51-53.
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