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Irish Sports Desk Collins-Jones bout still up in the air

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Sean Creedon

It’s official. Stephen Collins wants to make a comeback. But whether Roy Jones wants to fight him or not is another question.

It all depends on which newspaper you read. Collins called a press conference in Dublin last week and said that he was going to fight Jones in either New York or Las Vegas on April 17. The next day Jones’s camp said there was little chance of the fight taking place. We’ll have to wait and see what develops.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Ireland will meet the USA in a boxing international at the National Stadium, Dublin, on March 26. Before that date an Irish team will compete in the four-day Norway Cup in Oslo starting on Jan. 28. And an Irish selection will meet Wales in Limerick on Jan. 29.

News of another boxer. Francie Barrett, who carried the Irish flag in Atlanta three years ago, is thinking about going professional after the Sydney Olympics. But first Barrett has to qualify for the Olympics by winning the Irish senior welterweight title on March 12.

The 21-year-old is now based in London, but last week he was in Dublin for the premiere of "Southpaw," a documentary on his life. It’s a controversial film and shows how Francie had to train in a trailer on a halting site in Galway.

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Watson to captain BallyB

Tom Watson will be captain of Ballybunion Golf Club next year.

The Kansas-based legend fell in love with the North Kerry course when he first visited in 1981 and has been a member for the last 17 years.

Watson has already been approached by the Ballybunion committee and the decision to make Watson their first captain in the new Millennium is expected to be ratified at the club’s annual general meeting on Feb. 26.

Cunningham to quit

Long-serving Cork hurling goalkeeper Ger Cunningham has decided to retire. Thirty seven year-old Cunningham, who made his senior debut in 1980, will continue to play club hurling for St. Finbarrs.

Meanwhile, Mayo forward Kieran McDonald has opted out of the Mayo senior football squad. The Crossmolina man has not worn the red and green since being taken off in a League game against Kildare before Christmas. Apparently McDonald is now considering emigrating to Australia.

Former Camross and Laois player Frank Keenan is the new manager of the Carlow senior hurlers. His first game in charge will be in the Keogh Cup on Feb. 7.

Liam Dunne and Gary Laffan have resumed training with the Wexford hurlers, but neither is expected to be available for selection when the Church and General National Hurling League gets under way next month. Both players missed last year’s championship through injury.

Mason not on squad

Despite a brilliant performance for Ulster in the European Cup semifinal win over Stade Francais, full-back Simon Mason has still not made the Irish squad for the game against France on Feb. 6.

Almost half the squad, which will train in Galway this week, are currently playing in Britain and France. Peter Clohessy is the only player from interprovincial champions Munster.

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