Liverpool claiming Premier League Title would be breath of fresh air to English football

 

Liverpool players celebrate winning goal against Man City

 

 

I don't really know much about soccer to be honest, and I have no real interest in it either but for the purpose of the blog I decided to do a little bit of research into the Premier League since it's so topical.

 

 

Even though my interest is minimal, one thing I do know is that over the past decade the likes of Man United and Chelsea have been the dominant forces in English football. However living with a Liverpool fan, I'm pretty much forced into keeping up to date with Liverpool's title chances this year.

 

 

 

With the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster having just passed, I can't help but be happy for the fans of the club who have suffered all these years. It's also been 24 years since Liverpool last won the league, and in that time they have seen rivals United overtake them in the number of League titles won.

 

 

I think if Liverpool do complete their challenge of winning the league, which seems inevitable at this stage, it'll be a positive step for English football.

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I am very neutral, but in the games I've watched this season, I can't help but be impressed by their style of play. Not to mention the fact that their manager, Brendan Rodgers, is Irish.

 

 

Rodgers, having previously done a good job with Swansea getting them promoted to the Premier League, encourages a style of play that was praised so much while he was with the Welsh side. Now, even though it has been a working progress, this pure footballing strategy can be seen every time Liverpool take to the pitch this year.

 

 

In my opinion, this is why I think it would be good for Liverpool to win the league as they have really skilled players, like the likes of Steven Gerrard, the young Raheem Sterling and the talented striker partnership that is Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

 

 

Liverpool currently sit nicely at the top of the table, on 80 points, five points clear of Chelsea who they face on Sunday, and six points clear of Man City who have a game in hand. It appears the historic club could be on the verge of ending their 24 year wait with just three games left to play.

 

 

I suppose it's a waiting game for football fans. The last few games are to be played in the coming weeks, and the 11th of May will reveal all. But one thing thats for certain is Liverpool fans will be sitting on the edge of their seats until that day comes, and if they do claim the title celebrations will last all summer long!

 

 

Sources:

 

http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html/

http://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/liverpool%20transfer%20news

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/sami-hyypia-brendan-rodgers-done-7021420

 



Doping in Sports is a sin

 

One of America's greatest cyclist Lance Armstrong

 

It was announced yesterday that former champion cyclist Lance Armstrong's team director, Johan Bruyneel, was handed a ten year ban, following reports that came about about Armstrong doping throughout his career. Armstrong was given a life-long ban from cycling by the United States Anti-doping Agency after an investigation was carried out into his misuse of substances to enhance his performance.

 

 

Armstrong was stripped of his titles from the year 1998 to 2005. 1998 a year where I vividly remember the Tour De France passing my house in Wicklow, a massive occasion for my small village. I stood at my gate watching the cyclists flock in their hundreds by my house, and to think the reigning champion was a cheat is just so heartbreaking for everyone involved, especially other participants who missed out on victory glory. I wouldn't know a lot about cycling as a sport but Armstrong is one of those names that everyone knows. An exceptional sports star, Armstrong claimed a whopping 7 Tour De France titles, which ultimately he lost after the shocking development of his use of drugs.

 

 

Armstrong had a team of people who all played a part in the most cunning crime in sporting history. I mean to have broken so many violations of sport for so many years and dodge getting caught? unbelievable. Bruyneel trafficked illegal substances into the country on behalf of Armstrong.

 

 

He admitted in January of last year that he had been taking performance-enhancing drugs for over a decade. He came out on an interview with Operah Winfrey which shocked the world, and angered a hell of a lot of people.

 

 

When he claimed his seventh Tour De France title in 2005, he described his talent as a 'miracle' as many people had made accusations at that point, which he strongly denied. It baffles me how a man so respected by many people in sport could lie to all his fans, family and fellow cyclists for so many years. What sort of a conscious has he? He said it felt right at the time, because his drive to win was so ruthless. But surely that's no excuse? Like its shocking to think that years of competitions have been wothless, all the work that goes into an event such as the Tour De France is wiped out.

 

 

It's a whole era we're talking about here, a sporting icon for many young people, especially in America, that has been tainted by this selfish act. I was absolutely disgusted to hear about it, even though I had little interest in cycling, automatically I was shocked by the scandal.

 

 

I mean any case of doping is shocking. It recently emerged in Ireland that jockey Cian O'Connor had been caught out for doping. It is happening on a national and international scale, and it is morally wrong. Anti-doping agencies do their best to take a stance on the issue, but it is effecting other sporting stars reputations.

 

 

Take Usain Bolt for instance, a man with exceptional talent and speed, so much so that he was instantly accused of doping following his Olympic record breaking performance in 2012. It's scandalous and unfair on genuine athletes. But, it's a sign of the times we live in now, these substances are readily available to tempt athletes and this should not be the case.

 

 

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/lance-armstrong-confesses-doping/story?id=18244003

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cycling/19907683

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/08/12/bernstein-usain-bolt-is-probably-doping-and-you-know-it/

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/lance-armstrongs-former-director-johan-bruyneel-handed-10year-ban-30207481.html

 



Community Games should be given more credit

Something I have been very passionate about since a young age is The HSE Community Games. Growing up, I participated in the 100m sprint every year without fail since the age of six. I was a little flyer, reaching the final of the All Irelands U. 8 sprint aged six in Mosney Co. Meath, where it was held up until 2010. I have such fond memories of the events.

The unique thing about the Community games is that it caters for all types of sporting backgrounds. It's really an all-rounder. It's not entirely focused on sports, with some cultural activities featured too. There's over 50 events that take place, from art to swimming to music to football. There are two categories, individual and team. 30 counties participate. It's an absolutely fantastic organisation that are run solely on voluntary work. It strives to provide positive development for young people, and raises awareness about leading a healthy lifestyle, by participating in sports.

There are three stages. It starts off by competing on a local level, for instance in Wicklow the Community Games squad is called Lakeside, and we have to compete against eachother to move forward to the County finals which are held in Shillelagh, where you compete against participants in other clubs in Wicklow. If you are victorious, you go to the All-Ireland finals currently held in Athlone I.T.

The All-Irelands is terrifying. There are so many fantastic athletes. You're in the same boat as everyone else but there's so much pressure and nerves that it's so overwhelming.

I don't think the work of the Community Games is given enough credit. I mean, over 10,000 people work on a voluntary basis to ensure all the events run smoothly, and it is supported by many famous sporting heros, like Sonia O'Sullivan. Many famous faces have also taken part, such as Niall Breslin (Bressie) and One Direction's Niall Horan who are both Westmeath natives. It's a big national event that needs to be given more coverage. Thousands of young people participate, over 3,000, up to the age group of U. 16 where they represent their village/town/county, and it is such an achievement. It's such a big event, and it's a really big deal for young people. The crowds that flock are massive.

It kicks off around Easter time, usually on the Bank Holiday Monday, when the local events are run. Main events are held over two weekends in May and August. From my experience with the Community Games, running has been a major focus. Alongside athletics, I played soccer where my team claimed the winning title of the All-Irelands. I competed up until U.16 when my relay team reached the All-Irelands, it was my last year competing and first year to be held in Athlone I.T. It was a whole new experience with actual running tracks, whereas I had competed on grass all my life so it felt so professional.

Even in national media, sports like athletics aren't really covered to the extent like soccer, rugby or GAA. So much work goes into the organising of the Community Games, that I think more people should be accredited for. I have seen first hand the work that goes in, even on a local level, but I don't think it is given enough media attention and more people should know about the Community Games.

Endless amounts of fundraising is is done to finance the games. People volunteer to coach, help with committes and with stewarding among many other things. Without these dedicated people the event would not be possible, and speaking from experience it's such a memorable event to take part in, so in future I would love to see more coverage on not just the events but the people involved, including parents who drive their children all around the country to take part!

Sources:

http://www.communitygames.ie/

Wicklow for Sam 2014?

 

Wicklow's Leighton Glynn in action against London

 

All biast aside as a Wicklow woman, I really think Wicklow might be in with a chance of claiming the All Ireland title this year. I know to many this may seem highly unlikely, but I hold a glimpse of hope that someday my Garden county will bring home Sam.

 

 

It's such a big deal in Ireland, it's the highlight of the calender for all GAA fanatics. I mean Croke Park is an absolutely fantastic grounds. You cannot beat the atmosphere on All Ireland final day. It's just unbelievable. The build up to the final is something else too.

 

 

Wicklow are on flying terms this year, with their most memorable win over Antrim February 9th last to top the division 4 table. They're performance was so admirable, trailing at half time to scoring three late minute crucial goals to bag a victory. Rathnew's Leighton Glynn was in top form for that game, as well as the game the weekend before against London(pictured above) bagging a hat-trick. James Stafford was also a driving force for the Garden county.

 

 

I mean, they are really showing stamina, and I watched both Glynn and Stafford in action at a local match last weekend and they were looking very strong.

 

 

Is it really that unbelievable that Wicklow could actually claim the Sam Maguire? They haven't had much luck in the past, narrowly missing out on a place in the Semi-finals in 2008, losing to Laois in the quarter-finals. But, beating Kildare in the Semis was an achievement in itself, who were the first ever squad to win the Sam Maguire in 1928. That game being the first championship win in Croke Park ever. So, as you can imagine, Wicklow were over the moon, especially beating our neighbouring county. And by god, did we cherish that.

 

 

However, in 2007 they won they're first ever silverware at Croke Park, with a victory over Antrim in the Tommy Murphy Cup. Wicklow have some really fantastic clubs, like Baltingalss who won the All-Ireland senior club championship in 1990, which is one of Wicklow's biggest achievements as a whole, for a small club who have won many county titles.

 

 

Under management of GAA legend Mick O'Dwyer last year, Wicklow failed to get very far. But this year under management of Rathnew's Harry Murphy, Wicklow are looking promising, well to me they are.

 

 

Wicklow and Fermanagh are the only two counties that have not claimed a senior provincial championship title. So, 2014 could be the Garden's year. I'm looking at Wicklow's performances so far and I've been impressed, so for that reason I'm praying we get somewhere this year!

 

 

Sources:

 

http://www.thescore.ie/wicklow-division-4-leighton-glynn-1307714-Feb2014/

 

http://wicklowgaaonline.com/history/

 



Has discipline got out of hand in the GAA?

Referee Derek O'Mahoney being escorted off the field by officials following U. 21 championshiop Semi-Final

 

 

In recent years, GAA players have been highly crtiticised for the discipline shown towards referees, and opposition.

 

 

The most recent shocking scenes were reported following the championship meeting of Cavan vs. Dublin last Saturday in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise. Tipperary native Derek O'Mahoney, referee, had to be escorted by officials and Gardai after two decisions in the fianl minutes of the game that sparked controversy.

 

O'Mahoney was jeered by Cavan fans as he left the pitch.  The game was level with two minutes remaining but a tackle by Conor McHugh on Cavans Conor Moynagh which many argued was a black card offence, as he blantantly deliberately pulled him down, but only resulted in a yellow. A free rewarded to Cavan in extra time secured them a win, claiming a one point victory over Dublin.

 

Cavan could face disciplinary charges after the verbal abuse given to the referee after the game. One person attempted to physically attack the ref while others threw things at him from the stand while he was being escorted off the field, which is simply disgraceful. Whatever about the passion GAA followers show for the game, that is just not on.

 

The incident got me thinking about the whole phenomena of the black card. It has come under a lot of scrutiny since it was introduced a few months back. I think it has caused a lot of confusion amongst players more so than anything else and I think referees are still getting accustomed to the whole black card offence.

 

My dad, a referee in both Wicklow and Kildare, was not surprised by the reaction of the crowd. He reckons there will always be a certain bit of controversy when a game is so tight, especially in the final minutes. He's reffered matches where players have approached him after matches threatening to hit him, and management verbally abusing him from the sideline. He was actually physically attacked after a match once, where a player came up from behind and pushed him to the ground. But, referees shouldn't have to put up with abuse. It's not what they sign up for. They're there to do they're job and that's it.

 

I've lost count of the amount of matches I've been to in Wicklow and Kildare where fights have broke out. At this stage, it's pretty much inevitable that theres going to be some sort of spat, whether it be a bunch of players ganging up on eachother or anuse towards a referee. It's such a pity because it really takes away from the game, and the GAA has such a great reputation for a fantastic sport.

 

O'Mahoneys referees report will be filed with complaints but I think a stance should be taken on this issue for good. The campaign of 'Give Respect, Get Respect' was introduced to fight abuse against referees but clearly something more has to be done to tackle discipline in the GAA.

 

 

Sources:

 

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/breffni-facing-disciplinary-backlash-for-referee-abuse-30205544.html

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/gaa-dont-care-about-us-blasts-cavan-boss-30203272.html

 



 

Has the Boston Bombings given Marathons a bad reputation?

 

Runners participating in the Boston Marathon

 

 

With the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on the 15th of this month, I watched a fantastic documentary called 'The Hunt for the Boston Bombers' which relived a day that shocked the nation.

 

 

An event which people flock in their thousands to participate in and watch, the Boston Marathon attracts over 23,000 participants. Runners from all over the world take part. But, in April of last year, disaster struck as two bombs erupted simultaneously on the finish line of the Marathon, whn three-quarters of the participants had already crossed the line, killing three people and injurying at least 100.

 

 

Scenes of chaos and trauma filled the media. I was absolutely horrified watching the suffering it caused to so many people. People trained for months on end to complete the race, but that day so many lives were shattered.

 

 

The documentary featured survivers of the bombs who are left with prostate legs for the rest of their lives and people who have been effected not just physically but mentally following that day. What was such a highlight in many atletes calender has been shifted to a memorable day for all the wrong reasons.

 

 

The big question is, has the bombings distorted people's view on Marathon's? It's hard to say.

 

 

I mean now when anyone thinks of the Boston marathon they automatically think of the Boston Bombings. I would say it has tainted it's reputation slightly, which is such a pity considering the great event it is.

 

 

Having said that, the London marathon, which took place on April 13th last, attracted attention for all the right reasons and has been a fantastic success since it began in 1981.

 

 

The 'Virgin London Marathon' as it is called, is one of the biggest running events in the world. It's such a worthy marathon as the runners as sponsored to raise money for charity so it is so worthwhile, and is one of the biggest fundraising events in the world.

 

 

I watched the highlights the day of the marathon, and all the runners were in such great spirits, dressed up in quirky costumes promoting their chosen charitites.

 

 

There were a few familiar faces there too. Olympic runner Mo Farah was cut short of a gold medal after running his first ever marathon. Former England striker Michael Owen was running for Prostate Cancer UK as it is a charity very close to his heart, following a scare in his family. TV soap star Nick Pickard, who plays Tony Hutchinson in the hit soap Hollyoaks was running to raise money for Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. It was great to see all the famous faces pulling their weight for charity.

 

 

A whopping 817,890 people have participated in the London Marathons, and over 450 million has been raised for charity. I would hope that people are not turned off participating in marathons after the bombings, when you see the great work that is put into events like this!

 

Sources:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/explosions-reported-at-site-of-boston-marathon.html?pagewanted%253Dall

http://runinfinity.com/race/london-marathon

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/10757249/Michael-Owen-why-Im-running-the-London-Marathon.html

http://www.justgiving.com/Nic-Pickard

http://www.adventure-marathon.com/London-Marathon.aspx

 



Bubba Watson claims Masters title - again

2014 Master's winner Bubba Watson receives the notorious green jacket from 2013 winner Adam Scott.

Mixing my blog up a bit, I wanted to feature golf, which is very topical at the moment, a sport I would have very little knowledge about before watching the Masters. I flicked back and fourth through the Arsenal game and the Masters last Saturday, so it was an fulfilling evening of sport. I really had no choice in the matter.

The football went to extra time and penalties but I found myself a little more glued to the golf, which was all new to me considering I barely knew the difference between 8 under par and 8 over par previously. My dad gave me some insight into the history of the masters so I guess that sparked my interest a little too. So I did some extra research on top of this.

The Master's kicked off at 6:30pm our time but it was about 2:00pm in Augusta Georgia, on the soil of the Augusta National Golf Club under a smashing sun. The competition is one of the four major golfing events. The victorious sportsman receives a traditional green jacket.

This year marked a Tiger-less Master's, as the famous Tiger Woods, who has won four Master titles was not playing. This seen a 30 percent drop in people tuning in to watch the open. It also marked a historic year for winner Bubba Watson, who has now received the title twice in three years. But, to me, the most admirable sportsman involved was 20-year-old Jordan Spieth, who came in joint second place with fellow contestant Jonas Blixt. Spieth,  really stood out for me watching the Matster's, I mean to be a serious contender at this level in professional golf at the ripe age of 20 is a fantastic achievement in itself, and that's coming from someone who knows little to nothing about golf!

I found myself instantly drawn in to Jordan as a golfer, who may have made history as being the youngest golfer in 92 years of the Master's to have won the title, but fell short of victory, even after being tied for lead at 5 under par after third round. I watched a few of his shots and was seriously impressed.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/bubba-watson-lands-his-second-us-masters-title-30182918.html
http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/jordan-spieth-20-going-40-might-be-next-masters-champion
http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/television-audiences-just-not-turned-on-by-a-tigerless-major-30182612.html

Sports stars battling depression

GAA star Neill Hutchinson in action for Waterford

 

 

This week marks a yet another breakthrough for sports stars fighting depression. You're ordinary joe soap might think top sportsmen have it easy, but a young Waterford man broke his silence of battling depression with a moving blog post, sharing his experiecne of living with depression.

 

 

Wayne Hutchinson, a man who has played both senior hurling and football for his county, bravely came out publicly about his batlle with depression yesterday. A lot of people assume the life of a sports star is all glitz and glamour, but in reality a lot suffer from serious depression and hardship. This touching blog post genuinely made me shed a few tears, as he relayed the anguish he suffered for years, hiding it from all who were close to him, and blocking out those who cared.

 

 

The piece touched on his sheer passion for the GAA, and how growing up all he wanted to do was wear his county colours proudly, but on the day he made his inter-county debut against Limerick, his drive and passion had faded. He no longer dreamed of representing his county. Which is absolutely heartbreaking for a young man who had everything going for him in life, but this small part of him was eating away inside of him.

 

 

This article was worth the read in many ways, it reaches out to people struggling with life, not only sporting stars but to all the ordinary joe soaps. It pays tribute to the young Galway hurler, Niall O'Donouhge, who died tragically last year, that Wayne dedicates the post to. Niall had no choice in saving his life, which is something Wayne had the power to do, so his inspiration for overcoming his fears was power. He took control of his own life. Many people do not have this option. Suicide is not the solution to any problem. 

 

 

Wayne is among a number of sporting legends who have revealed their struggles. Other sporting stars that have emerged about their battle with depression are former Celtic captain Neil Lennon, who came out about his struggles in 2009 and Cork hurler Conor Cusack who gave a fantastic interview on the Late Late show a few weeks back, very courageous and truly inspiring.

  

A programme was aired following the sudden death by suicide of German goalkeeper Robert Enke, that shocked the sporting world, and set the foundations for further awareness on mental health issues in sport. The sheer bravery of these sports stars is so admirable. Sport is rarely protrayed in this light in the media, so I think its important to highlight that there's a dark side to sport, the fame and fortune is picture perfect, but in reality their lives are not so much different to anyone else. Sporting heros suffer the same way ordinary people do, so I think articles like this encourage people to speak out.

Sources:
http://thescore.thejournal.ie/wayne-hutchinson-depression-1405075-Apr2014/
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/sport-stars-set-to-reveal-battle-with-depression-106314.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8353733.stm
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/former-cork-hurler-conor-cusack-on-his-battle-with-depression-247792.html