Irish Sports Desk Tough World Cup start for Irish, but McCarthy happy

By Sean Creedon

Republic of Ireland Manager Mick McCarthy says he is happy with the opening games in the 2002 World Cup campaign, which sees the Boys in Green travel to Holland in September and Portugal in October.

"We caught Croatia cold after the World Cup finals at the start of the last Euro qualifiers and I believe we can catch the Dutch and Portuguese on the hop again. I’m convinced a tough start will suit us more than them and I’m happy to take them on,” he said.

While McCarthy faces a tough start to the Republic’s World Cup campaign with two away games, new Northern Ireland boss Sammy McIlroy has an easier start. The North’s first game will be against Malta at Windsor Park on Sept. 2. The North’s friendly with Malta in Valetta in March will still go ahead.

McLoughlin retires

Alan McLoughin has also decided to retire from international football. Although he won 42 caps, McLoughlin was never a regular on the Irish team, but he will always be remembered for that brilliant goal he scored against Northern Ireland in Belfast which took The Republic to the 1994 World Cup Finals.

Babb for Tranmore Rovers

Tranmere Rovers manager John Aldridge has rescued his former international colleague Phil Babb from the Liverpool reserves. Babb has decided to cross the Mersey on a month’s loan and will be available for tonight’s (Wednesday, Jan. 26) Worthington Cup semifinal second leg against Bolton Wanderers.

Carruth to fight for title

Michael Carruth, who a few weeks back said he would quit boxing if appointed national coach, is now going to have a shot at Spaniard’s Javier Castillejo’s WBC light-middleweight title.

The 32-year-old Carruth, who lost out to Cuban Nicholas Cruz in the race for the top coaching job with the IABA, will meet the Spaniard in Madrid on June 3. It was, of course, on Spanish soil that Carruth won his Olympic gold medal in 1992, but since turning professional in 1994, he has had a fairly low-key career.

Government snubs FAI

The Irish government has been accused of bias against the FAI after refusing to help the Football Association pay some of the £250,000 expenses incurred last year during the Balkan conflict.

Following the postponement of three senior and three under 21 European games and a £50,000 fine by UEFA for the late postponement of the game against Yugoslavia in Dublin, the FAI were looking, they said, for a "gesture of support" from the government. Instead, they received a Dear John fax from Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy.

Relations have not been great between the FAI and the government since the FAI decided to go their own way with Eircom Park, while the government are still looking at the possibility of building a national stadium on the Northside of Dublin. The FAI are also clearly annoyed at the millions that Bertie Ahern has given to the GAA for their Croke Park redevelopment.

AAI pleased with grant

The Irish government last week allocated a total of £5.45 million to the national Governing Bodies of Irish Sport for the coming year.

The newly formed Athletics Association of Ireland has in Olympic Year received the biggest grant of £400,000. Nick Davis, joint president of the AAI, said they were pleased with the amount and the timing of the announcement.

"We are delighted with the level of funding, but most of all with the timing," Davis said. "It’s a lot earlier than previous years and means we can press ahead with all our programs in the coming months.

Clarke adds sponsor

Irish golfer Darren Clarke has ended his six-year endorsement contract with the Irish company MacGregor. Clarke, who finished eighth on the European Tour last year, is now expected to sign a bag and visor contract with South African company Dimension Data. The Tyrone-born

player still has three other major sponsors: Titleist (ball and glove), Conte Florence (Clothing) and Portmarnock Links.

Ryan to captain Cork

Cork will have a new captain as they bid to retain the McCarthy Cup and become the first county to win the All-Ireland hurling final in the new Millennium. Fergal Ryan of county champions Blackrock takes over from Mark Landers, who captained The Rebels to their McCarthy Cup win last September.

Kerry tabs O’Halloran

Mike O’Halloran is not a household name in Ireland. Indeed, it’s not even a name on the tip of every GAA supporter in Kerry. But O’Halloran, who is from Ballyduff, has just been appointed manager of the Kerry senior hurlers.

He faces a tough year ahead. His opening game in the National League, on Feb. 20, is against Clare and then comes the Munster championship clash with All-Ireland champions Cork on May 27.

IRFU appoint Hennessy

The IRFU have announced the appointment of Dr. Liam Hennessy as national director of fitness. A clinical and exercise physiologist, Hennessy has a distinguished record working with athletes and in the past has assisted in the preparation of two Irish Olympic squads. A winner of four Irish pole vault titles between 1978 and 1987, he has worked behind the scenes with soccer clubs Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Venue switch

The Dublin junior club who knocked out premier division Drogheda United in the second round of the FAI Cup have been paired with League leaders Shelbourne in the third round. Bangor’s home ground is not up to FAI Cup standards and they will stage the prestigious game on Feb. 6 at Richmond Park, the home of St. Patrick’s Athletic.

Bealin for St. Enda’s

It now looks like the intercounty career of Dublin’s Paul Bealin is over. The 33-year-old midfielder has recently been appointed player manager of South Dublin club Ballyboden St. Enda’s. Bealin has not played for Dublin since the 1998 Leinster championship. He will shortly have to undergo surgery for a cruciate ligament and it looks like his intercounty days are over.

GAA to review ban

The GAA have said that they will review their ban on members of the RUC following the changes announced by Northern Secretary Peter Mandelson last week. GAA President Joe McDonagh said that the Association "would be closely monitoring the situation as it evolves."