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INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Big Talk

Sports quotes of the year

It’s good to talk… as we find out with the best sound-bites of the last 12 months.

“First and foremost, not only do I want to fight Manny Pacquiao, I want to whip his punk ass.” – Floyd Mayweather talks a good fight but the showdown doesn’t materialise, sadly.

“Ruby said well done to me but he didn’t really need to say anything, the look in his eyes said it all. He knows what it means,” – Katie Walsh earns her brother’s respect as  Poker De Sivola beat Nina Carberry on Becauseicouldntsee in an unprecedented Cheltenham one-two for female riders.

“I couldn’t believe turning in that Nina was coming – I thought ‘Jesus, of all people, not Nina’. But I put my head down and it’s just lucky that it paid off. I’m lost for words. I don’t want to sound soft but this is definitely the best day of my life.” – Katie reflects on beating out her other brother’s girlfriend.

“To people in the game he was a constant source of argument. He was a rebel. but to the wider public he was a breath of fresh air that drew them to the game.” -Steve Davis laments Alex Higgins’ demise.

“Alex Higgins was one of the real inspirations behind me getting into snooker in the first place. He is a legend and should be remembered as the finest ever snooker player.”- Ronnie O’Sullivan concedes his admiration for a kindred spirit upon Higgins’ passing.

Twitter

@McIlroyRory What a week!! Think I’m still drunk! Jaegerbombs out of the Ryder cup! Great banter with euros and Americans last night!

@Graeme_McDowell Greatest session in Ryder Cup history!!!! What an effort from Team Europe. Team USA were hit by a Blue Euro Freight train today. @IanJamesPoulter

@RobbieSavage8 I guess being top 10 in the world isnt to bad. whats it like not even being in the top 1000 footballers in the world EVER.

@McIlroyRory Anyone seeing this banter between @IanJamesPoulter and @robbiesavage8 ??? Just have to say the latter is a TWAT!!

@McIlroyRory Sorry guys I probably shouldn’t have said the “T” word, but just couldn’t think of a better description!

@TigerWoods Yep, it’s me. I think I like this twitter thing. You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the love.

@TigerWoods Really hate losing, Graeme did what he needed to do to win and I didn’t.

“I just thought it was a piece of dirt that the crowd had trampled down”

“The US Open felt like the back 9 with my Dad back home in Portrush in comparison. That was nervous today, nervous.” Graeme McDowell writes his name into the Ryder Cup annals after holding his nerve at the last.

“It’s the biggest achievement of my career so far. I don’t know what it will be like in Ireland. I don’t want to know until after the tournament.” Louk Sorensen breaks down barriers.

“I just thought it was a piece of dirt that the crowd had trampled down. I never thought it was a sand trap” – Dustin Johnson after he grounded his club in a bunker costing him, essentially, the US PGA championship.

“Unbelievable. I think when I look back on my career whenever it ends, the only thing that will count is medals.” Derval O’Rourke delivers as usual in Barcelona.

“I love the guy. As a player he is the best thing that has happened to tennis. I have so much respect for him.” Andy Murray suffers a severe bout of man-love after losing to Rafael Nadal in the semi-final at Wimbledon.

“It’s an absolute dream come through” – Graeme McDowell could be forgiven for thinking 2010 was all in his imagination after a US Open victory.

“Landis’ credibility is like a carton of sour milk: once you take the first sip, you don’t have to drink the rest to know it has all gone bad.” Lance Armstrong doesn’t mince his words when asked about Floyd Landis, after his former team-mate’s latest doping accusations on the eve of the Tour de France.

“My name is Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset. I skied the second lap and I f***** up today. I think I have seen too much porn in the last 14 days. I have the room next to Petter Northug and every day there is noise in there. So I think that is the reason I f**** up. By the way, Tiger Woods is a really good man.”  - Cross-country relay silver medallist Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset warns Norway’s Olympic committee there could be some “extras” to pay on his room bill.

“The reason I don’t like smiling is because I’m not confident.” - Ronnie O’Sullivan draws a smile from the snooker press pack.

“They have 12 minutes to play the frame, a 20-second shot clock, ball in hand from fouls and no time to fart.” - Barry Hearn’s bid to sex-up snooker includes a ban on toilet breaks.

“I’m sorry I was unable to walk through the door and fulfil my destiny but my journey has been one of triumph and my “Yes I Can” slogan goes onwards and upwards.”  - We can only presume Harrison was still concussed when he made this statement.