1. #NOT OUT Ireland’s cricket community got some good news yesterday when it emerged that the ICC Cricket Committee voted unanimously to recommend the introduction of qualifiers for the World Cup in 2015.
Speaking to TheScore.ie, Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom struck a cautious tone, welcoming the decision but warning that it ‘changes nothing on a practical level.’
2. #CELTIC There’ll be another Helicopter Sunday this weekend after Celtic beat Hearts 3-0 last night to keep up the pressure on leaders Rangers – but the game was overshadowed by a bizarre mid-match assault on Celtic boss Neil Lennon.
A man emerged from the crowd shortly after the Bhoys’ second goal and made contact with Lennon before being wrestled to the ground and arrested. The man was thankfully unarmed and Lennon was unhurt, although shaken.
3. #HANDS OFF Chelsea may be in the market for a new manager in the near future but their top target, Porto coach André Villas Boas, seems happy enough to stay where he is for now according to reports in The Guardian.
The 33-year old told reporters yesterday that “my future is completely linked to Porto.”
4. #LEGEND Friends and family gathered yesterday in the small Spanish town of Pedrena to pay their final respects to golfing legend Seve Ballesteros.
Ivan Ballesteros led the tributes to his uncle, saying “with hard work he went from nothing to everything, realizing his dream to be the best and to be in the heart of the people.”
5. #EXCESS BAGGAGE Sébastien Chabal can start planning his summer holidays. The larger-than-life French number 8 was left out of Marc Lièvremont’s 32-man provisional squad for this year’s Rugby World Cup, as was Toulouse centre Yannick Jauzion.
I wonder where Mrs. Chabal would like to go this year?
6. #CHAMPIONSHIP The Leinster Senior Hurling Championship kicks off this weekend and we’ll be previewing each county’s chances over the next few days.
First up on Saturday are Antrim and Laois who square off in Portlaoise. Saffrons boss Dinny Cahill named his starting 15 yesterday, handing debuts to James Black, Conor McCann, Chris McGuinness and Kevin Molloy.
7. #YOUTUBE Regular readers will know that Thursday is Youtube day round these parts. Adrian has been secretively working away on the weekly chart for the last few days, but I did manage to catch a glimpse of the word “ZLATAN” as I peered over his shoulder. I’m guessing this clip made the cut.
Additional reporting by Gavan Reilly
