It may have taken a bit longer than expected for Ireland to get back on the pitch following their opening Six Nations weekend disappointment at the hands of Wales, but the squad are raring to go in their return to the Aviva stadium this weekend.

No change for the starting 15 that was denied a chance to face France in Paris and ready to make his presence count is Naas native Jamie Heaslip. The Guinness rugby ambassador says the squad are wary about an improving Italy with powerful scrum and what he considers great ball carriers, all of which has helped focus the mind of the squad ahead of the perceived weaker nation in the championship, making them conscious of avoiding an upset.

]]> 1.3551122 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:02:36 +0000 http://www.derryjournal.com/windsor_park_deal_to_mean_millions_for_brandywell_stadium_1_3549626

The BBC is reporting that a deal agreed between the Irish Football Association and Linfield for the use of Windsor Park could release millions for the re-development of Brandywell Stadium.

The report, posted at 6.15pm today (Wednesday), said it’s believed that a contract has already been signed which will see Linfield get an annual payment of £200,000 from the IFA as part of a new 41-year deal. This “will release a secondary pot of £31m” and millions of this will be re-directed towards Brandywell re-development and a new stadium for Glentoran, with a significant sum for a national academy, according to the BBC.

“These three projects will be the main beneficiaries of the financial windfall, but some money will be up for grabs for other developments,” the report continues.

“The Irish League clubs will meet with the IFA on Wednesday night to finalise a deal over the redevelopment of Windsor Park. The allocation of several millions of pounds towards the Brandywell project is expected to cause some controversy.”

The news will get a warm welcome in Derry, and not just in soccer circles. It’s accepted that there’s a pressing need for major work at Brandywell Stadium, where part of a wall collapsed recently and where a main stand still bears the name of its original owners Glentoran FC. It’s also hoped that the re-development of the stadium will be the catalyst for a rejuvenation of the surrounding area.

See the BBC report on - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17130404

]]> 1.3549626 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:06:56 +0000 http://www.derryjournal.com/no_european_football_for_derry_1_3544558

Derry City will not be playing in European competition next season, the club has confirmed.

A statement on the club’s website says their application has been rejected.

Derry qualified for Europe after finishing third in the Premier Division last season.

But entry into the Europa League has been ruled out because the club went into liquidation two years ago.

The FAI have confirmed Derry would not compete in the Europa League.

“The Football Association of Ireland today confirmed receipt of UEFA’s decision not to grant Derry City FC permission to apply for a licence to play in UEFA competition for the season 2012-13,” a FAI spokesman said.

An application was made to UEFA for a derogation of the ‘three-year’ rule, arguing that the club was a new entity, and as such was entitled to apply for a licence. The Association will consult with the club regarding the matter and both parties will study the decision in the coming days.

Should no appeal of this decision be made to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Bohemian FC will be nominated for UEFA competition in place of Derry City FC.”

Derry chairman Philip O’Doherty says an appeal against the decision is “unlikely”

Derry City were guaranteed 110,000 euros for competing.

]]> 1.3544558 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:06:43 +0000 http://www.derryjournal.com/no_changes_for_italian_job_1_3546332

The Ireland team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday has been named and coach Declan Kidney has opted for an unchanged lineup.

City club celebrates historic season at City Hotel event

Here’s our {http://www2.derrytoday.co.uk/picturespecials/brianogs/index.html|slideshow|alt text} from the prize night

]]> 1.3544861 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:01:52 +0000 http://www.derryjournal.com/the_doc_s_prescription_gers_no_quick_fix_for_ibrox_blues_1_3543611

THE RECENT problems experienced by Glasgow giants Rangers were, in fairness to the present owner, a long time in the making!

The seeds of Rangers’ current crisis were laid when previous administrations decided they were going to bring the best players possible to Ibrox even if it meant financial meltdown at some point in the future.

To do this they offered to pay players high, unrealistic wages through Trusts which the taxman is now challenging in the courts.

The real problem though was very simple as it was costing £45 million per year to run Rangers while income was averaging £35 million.

Had it not been for some sleight of hand tax deals, this crisis would have arrived long before now.

In the short term, Glasgow rivals Celtic have “profited” as Rangers incurred a 10 points penalty for going into Administration.

Long term, however, Celtic, need a Rangers who are viable entity or the SPL would become a one horse race and gates and sponsorship would fall.

Celtic issued a statement last week stating that their financial model was a stand alone and that they didn’t need Rangers, but I don’t believe that when the facts are examined.

It may be Rangers in the dock, but Celtic will anxiously watch the final outcome.

Read more from the Doc in the Journal every Tuesday

CITY of Derry’s end of season renaissance gathered pace in Limerick on Saturday when the Judges Road men continued their late drive toward a unlikley promotion play-off spot with a richly deserved bonus point victory over Thomond.

The win was Derry’s seventh consecutive success in all competitions and despite only moving the lhe locals into ninth position, Bevan Lynch’s men now sit just four points behind third placed Seapoint and six behind De La Salle, Palmerstown in second with four games to go.

The North West men found themseves 10-3 down at half time but five superb trys and 34points later their goal of a top four finish remained very much within grasp.

Conditions in Limerick were dry for the most part and reasonable for rugby with Derry beginning with the advantage of a strong cross-field breeze. The early pressure came from the visitors but it was Thomond who were first on the scoreboard when, after ten minutes, with a simple move along the backline saw centre Mike Russell get in for an unconverted try and a 5-0 lead.

Derry were finding it difficult to cope with the big Thomond pack at the breakdown and there was little protection when the ball was won for scrum-half Andrew Semple meaning the backline were never able to work with quality possession. Thomond were looking the stronger team and in typical Munster style they pick and drove to the Derry line on 24 minutes which let hooker Alan O’Donnell in for an unconverted try to double the home advantage and things were not looking good for the visitors.

Derry did eventually get some quality possession inside the Thomond half but with lack of penetration they failed to threaten the Thomond line. However the increased time on the ball gave Derry confidence and continued pressure saw repeated infringements at the breakdown and it was no surprise when Thomond had Alan O’Donnell sent to the sin-bin after 38 minutes and Richard McCarter kicked the resultant penalty from 20m in front of the posts to leave Derry down 10-3 as the half time whistle sounded.

Superb Second half

Derry supporters must have been apprehensive about the chances of an away win after seeing their team play second fiddle for most of the first half. However coaches Bevan Lynch and Mark Nicholl set the template for victory down to their players at half time and what a start they enjoyed to the second half with Thomond still down to 14-players.

The Derry pack won possession in the home half from the kick off. Semple found Peter Henderson on his right, 40m out. The full-back made the break to release winger William McCleery who in turn showed a clean pair of heels as he scored in the corner for an unconverted try to put Derry right back in the game.

It was now all Derry as they were populating the breakdown with more intensity and began to produce quality possession for an always dangerous backline. It appeared only a matter of time before they took the lead and right on cue they moved ahead 56 minutes with an excellent 40m penalty from McCarter which gave them a 11-10 lead.

The Derry forwards were now in control with the back row of Stephen Corr, Stephen Duffy and Richard Baird outstanding and they had terrific support from ‘Man of the Match’ David Houston in the second row. Derry lost Corr to a shoulder injury early in the half but after 16 minutes Gareth Beattie and Chris Shields won good ball in the Thomond half and released Houston who made a telling break. As he drew the last defender, he released Simon Logue who finished in style for a try which McCarter converted and Derry‘s lead was 18-10.

Thomond reduced the arrears on 66 minutes with a penalty from Michael Ryan but Brian Prue, who had returned to fray after the loss of Corr, was to play a decisive role in Derry’s victory as he became prominent in the loose and won great ball at the lineout.

The Derry defence was solid as Ryan Campbell, Adam Bratton and Chris Barbour along with Sam Duffy and Cathal Cregan forced Thomond to spill ball on a regular basis and Derry cleared their lines on the back of a strong scrimmaging performance.

Derry increased the intensity and when Thomond kicked loose ball to Simon Logue in his own half, he punished them with a mesmeric break which released the impressive Barbour to make an outside break and give McCarter a run-in try which he converted himself for a commanding 23-13 lead.

Thomond had run out of steam as the game came to its conclusion and with the Derry pack out ‘Munstering’ them with pick and drive rugby, Henderson got in for the bonus point try on 79 minutes which Richard Peoples converted for 30-13.

Thomond kicked off and when Josh Lewis released Sam McAuley his powerful break took play inside the opposition half where he found the supporting Richard Peoples who ran in under the posts from 40m and converted to complete a great victory on Munster soil.

City of Derry: Chris Shields, Sam McAuley, Sam Duffy, David Houston, Brian Prue, Stephen Corr, Stephen Duffy, Richard Baird, Andrew Semple, Richard McCarter, Simon Logue, Ryan Campbell, Chris Barbour, William McCleery, Peter Henderson. Replacements: Cathal Cregan, Gareth Beatty, Adam Bratton, Richard Peoples, Josh Lewis