1. #ROONEY The saga continues. After an emotional night at Old Trafford, Alex Ferguson says that the distracting Rooney ‘bagatelle’ will be ‘put to bed’ today. The United boss has a meeting with chief executive David Gill – who spoke with owners, the Glazers, last night – at 10am. Expect another day of statement and counter-statement as the PR battle goes into extra time.
2. #CHAMPIONS LEAGUE On the pitch in Manchester, the unispiring 1-0 win over Bursaspor last night was merely a sideshow as the a preoccupied Old Trafford contingent unfurled anti-Rooney banners and chanted in support of manager Alex Ferguson. Spurs, meanwhile, continued their thrilling first jaunt in the Champions League with a crazy night at the San Siro. The highlights are worth a watch.
3. #EUROPA LEAGUE Under-pressure Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson sees his side face Serie A outfit Napoli in Italy (TV: 3e). Manchester City welcome Lech Poznan to Eastlands.
4. #INTERTNATIONAL RULES Australia impressed on Leeside last night as they geared up for the the first Test in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday night with a 105-12 rout of a Cork colleges selection at Páirc Uí Rinn. Retired hurling star Sean Óg Ó hAilpín did not line out as mooted in front of a crowd of 2,867. Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt and Brad Green of Melbourne proved the star men for the tourists on the night.
5. #REBELS Cork County Board chiefs last night bid to retain Conor Counihan‘s sevices as manager by asking him to stay on for two more seasons. The Aghada man is yet to decide on his future after Cork took All-Ireland glory this year. The board also unanimously agreed to allow him to select all of his backroom team, an issue which has filled picket lines in the past on Leeside.
6. #MUNSTER Veteran Munster out half Ronan O’Gara has changed any tentative retirements plans and now hopes to stick around for another couple of seasons. The 33-year-old had previously intimated he would wind down his professional career in less than two years. However, the Cork Con man – speaking ahead of Munster Magner’s League clash with Treviso on Friday – is ready to meet the challenge from Ireland rival Johnny Sexton head on.
7. #NOVEMBER INTERNATIONAL Ireland prop Marcus Horan is set to be ruled out of next month’s four Tests after picking up a wrist injury. The Munster star broke a bone during a gym session earlier this week. The extent of the damage will be clear after he sees a specialist in Dublin today, but the Reds expect him to be ruled out for between four to six weeks.
8. #KINGDOM Jack O’Connor’s 2011 championship hopes have been dealt a blow as Mike McCarthy will not be a part of Kerry’s title bid, the Irish Examiner reports. The 32-year-old Kilcummin defender has informed the coach that he is packing up inter-county football and this time the retirement is permanent – having already called time on his inter-county career after the 2006 season.
