User:rorynoonanDate:12/06/2013Time:08:23:04Edition:12/06/2013Wedwedecho120613Page:56Color:
Evening Echo
SPORT
EE - V1
Sciath na Scol: Páirc picture special: P38-39
US Open: Merion
Rugby: The latest
a step into the unknown: P40-41
Cork pair figure in defeat to Spain SOCCER
By NOEL SPILLANE Spain Ireland
2 0
ROBERTO Soldado’s 68th minute right-footed volley and a late Juan Mata goal gave world and European champions Spain victory over Ireland at the Yankee Stadium in New York early this morning. Cork men David Meyler and Damien Delaney only had late cameo roles as they came on as 88th minute substitutes as Ireland closed out the season and Spain jet off to the Confederation Cup in Brazil — the forerunner to the 2014 World Cup finals. The 28 year-old Valencia striker, on as a sub for David Villa, tucked the ball past David Forde for his
Republic of Ireland’s David Meyler, left, and Sean St Ledger at the end of their international friendly against Spain at Yankee Stadium, New York, USA. Picture: SPORTSFILE fifth international goal. Ireland withstood a barrage in the minutes before half-time to change over level.
Villa was denied by Forde five minutes before the break; Pedro smashed another effort off the bar and Inesta curled another chance
wide of the target. Conor Sammon had a chance in the 28th minute to give Trap’s men a shock lead in a one-on-one with Victor Valdes but he dragged his shot wide. Spain dominated possession but came up short against a massed Irish defence that somehow survived the opening 45 minutes. Robbie Keane on his record 127th appearance was replaced by Simon Cox after 57 minutes. Sean St Ledger did have the ball in the Spanish net with 10 minutes to go but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside. Chelsea’s Mata netted his seventh goal for Spain on his 25th appearance two minutes from time. ● Sweden beat the Faroe Islands in a World Cup qualifier in Stockholm with two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to leave them third on 11 points in Group C behind Austria but ahead of Ireland on goal difference. Germany top the group on 16 points. ● See P43 for match report
from the Lions and Irish tours: P48-49
Sweetnam has no regrets for picking rugby
DARREN SWEETNAM EHORZ insists he has no regrets about turning his back on a hurling career with Cork and pursuing his rugby dream but the Irish U20 winger admitted it was a very difficult choice. The gifted Cork athlete — he is also an accomplished Gaelic footballer with the Dohenys club and played hockey for Ireland — broke into the Cork senior hurling team early last year as an 18-year-old and lined out at midfield in the championship for Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s side. However, his prowess as a rugby player saw Munster offer him a three-year academy contract and a pathway into professional rugby last autumn. “It was a massive decision but it has paid off now I think,” said the Dunmanway native, whose stock rose considerably when he ran in two tries and created another few in
RUGBY
Ireland’s 46-3 rout of Fiji in the Junior World Championship in France on Sunday. Tomorrow Ireland play New Zealand with a place in the semi-finals for the first time up for grabs and Sweetnam can’t believe how quickly his world has been transformed. “Last year it was all hurling and now it’s Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. It is amazing. I can’t get over it,” said the 20 year-old. He keeps in touch with the hurlers and they wish him well. “Ger Cunningham and Jimmy (Barry-Murphy) drop me a text to say good luck and all that. But I am delighted I made the change. It was a massive decision at the time. But I have no regrets.” ● More rugby on P48-49.
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