US Open 2015

US Open 2015 -Preview

US Open 2015 – Chambers Bay, University Place, WA – 18th June 2015 -3:00 p.m. (GMT)

With what seems to less fanfare than usual–thank you F.I.F.A. for all your wonderfully newsworthy shenanigans– golf’s second major of the year, the 2015 US Open seems to have almost snuck up on us. Which, frankly, is in many ways a fantastic surprise as this year’s tournament takes place on a rather peculiar and spectacular location on Washington State’s Pacific north-west coast. Chambers Bay, at just eight years old and over 7900 yards long plays host to a number of firsts. A first US Open to be played on a Robert Trent Jones Jr designed course. A first US Open to grace the north-western wilderness and perhaps most impressively –if inane facts impress you- a first major tournament to be played on a former gravel quarry.

Chambers Bay is an outlier in terms of your standard U.S. Open course, a links –usually reserved for July’s British Open- in all but name and vastly different to the narrow, devilishly rough laden course that the USGA invariably select to host America’s oldest major. Some of the major features of the course are the batshit tee-boxes many of which are purposely placed on undulating ground. So, the one safe-haven of most golf courses has been turned into a bit of a Mad Hatter’s creation. Throw in the sloping, bowl-like greens, nightmarish bunkers and moody weather and you’ll understand that the players are in for an extraordinary challenge that will draw the chagrin of some (see Ian Poulter) but provide fascinating viewing for spectators.

The US open –first played in Newport County, Rhode Island in 1885- is usually won in a slog, save for the occasional demolition job like those of Martin Kaymer last year, Tiger Woods in 2000 and Rory McIlroy’s incredible, record-breaking performance in 2011. Generally, the USGA hate to see any US Open course getting torn to pieces, so, in the year following a runaway victory organisers will -perversely from the point of view of the participants and amusingly for most spectators- decide to provide a layout that will introduce almost prohibitive difficulty for the best players on the planet. Frankly, there is something incredibly enjoyable, perhaps comforting, about seeing a professional golfer splash around a bunker for three shots then sheepishly pick the ball out of the hole before his playing partner marks an eight on his card. That’s not to say we don’t want to see quality golf but seeing a player negotiate the vagaries of a course rather than shoot birdie upon birdie is eminently preferable.

This week’s winner as well as being a proven grinder will definitely need to be a big bopper with a very tidy short game. It also goes without saying that a major winner’s putting will have to reach another level. So, eh…. sorry Sergio!  We would ordinarily say that this week’s course requires considerable experience on a links course but given the unpredictable and frankly intangible aspects of the course we think this week’s winner will be someone who can rise in the face of what may prove to be almost dystopian challenges.

As players have practised on Chambers Bay this week it seems that some are less than enamoured with what they have encountered. South African, Charl Schwartzel does not like the greens, claiming that good putts are missing and bad putts are dropping. Perhaps he’s just not very good at reading putts. Further the turf itself is reported to have all the give of a basketball court so it may be that an excellent short game rather than accurate iron approaches will be rewarded. So, with all the above in mind we’re moving to our picks but we wouldn’t deter anyone from going with the scientific approach of the Grand National and drawing a name from a hat.

US OPEN 2015 PICKS

Before moving on to who we like this week it’s worth mentioning that, unsurprisingly the two favourites –expect to see this for at least the next decade- are world number one Rory McIlroy and Augusta Masters victor, Jordan Spieth. Look, there’s no need for us to extol their golfing prowess and logically they make great choices but at 8/1 on a seemingly incomparable creation of a course we’re not going near them. Of the short priced favourites we’d be more inclined to go for Justin Rose (16/1). The Englishman is a former US Open winner, a world class grinder and is in superb form at present. He’s not really the type to get rattled by consecutive bad holes and if links experience comes into it, that won’t pose any trouble for him. Phil Mickelson, chasing the career Grand Slam and with a serious bag of tricks at hand is also worth a look but 16/1 is unappealing for a man with very little form of late. Still as much as we like Rose and Mickelson’s chances, given the almost unprecedented level of uncertainty going into the 2015 US Open we’re looking down the betting for some better value. We’ll be using the combined logic of this bunch of gents so all we can say is….. caveat audiens!

  1. Brooks Koepka (50/1)

For us –and anyone who has watched golf in the last two years- twenty-five-year-old Koepka has the full array of talent –a five-tool player to borrow from baseball parlance. He drives the ball a mile, putts fantastically well and hits a ton of birdies and eagles. His one standout flaw is driving accuracy but on the expansive fairways of Chambers Bay this may count for less than your typical US Open venue- think Merion. Added to this is the fact that Koepka cut his teeth on the European Tour and not on the homogenous courses of Florida, Texas and Carolina. This should assist in the somewhat alien surroundings of Washington State but if nothing else it shows the guy has got a bit of cut about him.

He won at the enticingly named Waste Management Phoenix Open earlier in the year and tied for third in Memphis last week meaning he comes into the tournament with confidence levels high- always more important for younger players, in our view. Also, a tied fourth in last year’s US Open means Koepka has the mentality and composure for the biggest stages. Sure he’s only twenty-five but in a week where many senior pros seem to be quaking in their boots, ignorance may prove to be bliss. We’ll go with the youngster who we firmly believe has all the right attributes to become a multi-major winner.

  1. Hideki Matsuyama (35/1)

If Koepka has the potential, then Hideki Matsuyama has already announced his arrival as a superstar of golf. Already idolised in his homeland of Japan, the twenty-three-year-old wowed American crowds with a terrific victory in the 2014 Memorial Tournament. Matsuyama’s credentials go through the roof when you consider that conventional wisdom points to this course being more akin to a British Open –where he finished sixth on debut in 2013- in terms of both layout and playing conditions. Perversely Matsuyama’s putting can be a weak point but as it appears the players will, in effect, be putting on rollercoasters for the week, this becomes somewhat of a leveller. Like Koepka, Matsuyama has form going into this week’s tournament, having finished fifth in his defence of the Memorial. And, again given the unknown nature of the course form for the young guns, in particular, may well prove to be key.

  1. Billy Horschel (55/1)

Full disclosure here. Since we had a tidy win on Mr. Horschel in the Zurich Classic in New Orleans in 2013, we’ve been more inclined to take a chance on the Florida native. Gambler’s reasoning, as ever, flawless. This week however we feel he’s got a great chance based purely, ok predominantly, on logic. Key to Horschel’s game -at least from the point of view of betting- is the fact he is extremely streaky, to the point where he came from nowhere at the back end of last year and won the $10,000,000.00 Fed Ex Cup. Against the best players on the US Tour, Horschel managed tied second in the Deutsche Bank Championship followed by back-to-back victories in the BMW and Tour Championships respectively. That was a pretty remarkable, Tigeresque sequence of results which seemed to confirm Horschel as a genuine superstar.

However, with the massive party comes the biblical hangover and Horschel’s start to 2015 was less than stellar, failing to come anywhere near the same conversation as McIlroy, Spieth, Rose or the rest of the true top dogs. Fear not, however, as there have been extremely positive signs of late. Four top 20s in his last four starts and eighth last week in Memphis means the Fed Ex champ is feeling it once more. Look, we know this one is a bit of a flier and it would be remiss of us to sidestep the fact that when things go awry Horschel can completely lose the plot. Admittedly, he’s a little flaky and has nothing resembling form on link courses but Billy Horschel has met his ally consistency at the opportune moment and as he proved last year, when in the right frame of mind the Floridian can beat absolutely anyone. When all things are considered this is not as much of a left-field pick as you may first think.

So youth very much gets the nod from us this year but not the usual suspects from Holywood and Texas. The 2015 US Open is going to be quite an unusual journey thanks to the anarchic set-up Robert Trent Jones Jr has provided. Incidentally, look out for the unique set-up of the first and eighteenth holes where the two alternate between a par four and par five each day. A business man’s whim or a standalone quirk for a wild, inexplicable course. Who really cares? Just enjoy the mayhem and marvel at the player who possesses the ability to endure and who learns, if not to love, then at least to co-exist with Chambers Bay’s eccentricities.

 

US Open Picks 2015

  1. Brooks Koepka (e/w @50/1)
  2. Hideki Matsuyama (e/w @35/1)
  3. Billy Horschel (e/w @55/1)
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Republic of Ireland/FIFA

Much Ado About Nothing

As the worlds of Sepp Blatter, Jack Warner and their assorted cronies unravel thread by corrupt thread, the immediate resounding emotion for anyone who either loves football or detests institutional corruption on a truly epic scale, is of course relief. At last a rotten, disgracefully run organisation responsible for the most popular sport and event in the world has finally been found out for what it is.

Of course, the United States of America as with everything else that has ever happened in the history of mankind, are taking all the credit for taking down F.I.F.A. There’s no denying the crucial and indeed necessary intervention of the FBI –America is after all the home to the World Police– but the perceived idea that the Americans have arrived in the form of the saviours of world soccer is an extremely grating one. It should be made quite clear that there are several ongoing investigations, both criminal and investigate, relating to F.I.F.A. and it most certainly was neither the I.R.S. nor the F.B.I. that first attempted to navigate its way to FIFA’s rotten core. Incidentally, we’re still not entirely sure where exactly the FBI’s jurisdiction to make arrests of non-U.S. citizens on Swiss soil emanates. And, more pertinently, why other organisations are not being investigated.

As has been long documented in British sporting circles, it was highly regarded, Scottish investigative reporter Andrew Jennings -the man behind 2006’s enlightening Panorama documentary on the bribe culture within FIFA- who deserves serious kudos for getting beneath the skin of the snake and providing conclusive proof of the existence of systemic wrongdoing in the world football’s governing body. The Guardian’s Simon Jenkins gives Jennings his due credit in this article rightfully and thankfully conveying the point that it was Jennings’ lengthy, patient probing which deserves the credit and not just the FBI gun show.

Moving closer to home, we should be thankful for the recent admissions of our own holier-than-thou F.A.I. chief executive, John Delaney, relating to a pretty remarkable loan given by FIFA to the F.A.I. in the wake of Ireland’s failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Delaney’s action managed –in the wake of the one of the most amazing breakthroughs against institutional corruption- to steal even the global media spotlight for himself. Now, rather bizarrely, the Irish Sun reported this payment in 2014 but –to what must be considerable bemusement on the Sun’s part now- no other media outlets deemed this disclosure newsworthy at the time. Fast-forward twelve months and the Irish press has been rife in the last week with chest-thumping sanctimony.

How can journalists channel such indignation at last week’s news when only a year ago they were merely indifferent at best? In part, this may be down to John Delaney partaking in one of his now infamously bumbling performances, equal parts arrogance and self-congratulatory bravado. Delaney, as we all know now, went to great lengths to inform the country of his usurping of Sepp Blatter, laying the law down –swearing at Blatter no less– and walking out of the room with a €5 million gratuity from FIFA. Now, of course, we know one of the conditions of this ‘loan’ was that it would be written off if Ireland failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. Which might just explain why Giovanni Trappatoni stayed in his job for as long as he did!

In relation to the payments, a few thoughts spring to mind. First, F.I.F.A. had even more unseemly amounts of money at their disposal than we first thought. In addition, if we were presiding over F.I.F.A., Delaney’s 2009 request for a thirty-three team World Cup to include Ireland – reportedly floated with a straight-face- would still have us in fits of laughter. And, finally, the F.A. might just rue the fact that the great egalitarian John Delaney wasn’t available to deliver his unique brand of justice when the ‘Hand of God’ crushed England’s hopes in the 1986 World Cup.

Interesting as well in a week where potentially favourable financial arrangements were to the fore that our great and enlightened leader Enda Kenny decided to row in on the curious payment to the F.A.I. describing the remuneration as ‘quite extraordinary’. Sadly Mr Kenny was not inclined to row in, or even give something resembling an opinion in relation to T.D. Catherine Murphy’s allegations, which, if true are in themselves, quite extraordinary. The F.A.I. are entitled to a certain degree of cloak and dagger activity, but the I.B.R.C. -funded by the taxpayers in this country must surely be an institution that demands transparency.

In any event, we are looking for deceit and scandal where, as is usually the case with John Delaney, there is only a healthy lack of self-awareness. As the furore already dies down there is a collective realisation that neither Delaney nor any of the F.A.I. officials profited personally from the FIFA ‘hush’ money. How about everyone climbs down from their magnificent high horses? Not liking John Delaney does not equate to him perpetrating a fraud or letting down the cause of the Irish team. When people are relying on the not so famously measured words of former French coach and confirmed head-the-ball Raymond Domenech then you know there’s not much of a case to answer.

This week’s re-emerging reports relating to Jack Warner and his siphoning of relief money in 2010 intended for the Haiti earthquakes to accounts in his own control cast the recent hullabaloo surrounding Delaney in an entirely different light. Stories like this of illicit and inexplicable FIFA payments the world over shall come slowly dropping as the year continues. Warner’s actions are nothing short of deplorable while Delaney, on the other hand, can be accused of little more than partaking in a somewhat obscure deal which on the face of it appears to have broken no laws. Delaney is many things –not all pleasant- but he is no fool, particularly when it comes to business. Perhaps by December, when Blatter hopefully disappears into the sunset, Delaney’s opportunistic and ludicrous performance will be little more than a footnote in a year when the cure for F.I.F.A. was finally discovered.

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State of Origin 2015

That’s not a try, that’s a miracle!

“We’ve seen plenty of this in Origin, this is one of the best.” So said Ray ‘Rabbits’ Warren after one of the most famous fights State of Origin has ever seen in Game 2 of the 1995 Series. To call this gratuitous violence would be somewhat disingenuous. For, fighting along with crunching defence, breathtaking attacking play and almost incomparable intensity are the very components which saw the Series grasp the attention of New South Wales, Queensland and latterly the entire of Australia.

The State of Origin series began in 1980 but New South Wales and Queensland have engaged in an Interstate rivalry dating back to the early 1900s. Previously a player would represent the state in which his current club team was based. So, at the time if a player plied his trade with, say, South Sydney -despite being born and raised in Queensland- he would represent New South Wales. Soon, however, proud Queenslanders decided they wanted the opportunity to represent their home State. So, the rules were tweaked and representation came to be based on where a player’s first senior club was. Now, exiled New South Welshmen and Queenslanders would get the opportunity to represent their State in a mid-season series that would pitch club mate against club mate. The concept was met with considerable scepticism as are most novel ideas and the majority of informed observers felt they were in for a soulless contest, devoid of any real meaning- like the Railway Cup nowadays. Enter Arthur Beetson, Queensland captain but earning his regular crust from the Western Sydney club Parramatta. Testing the pulse of the game Beetson smashed New South Wales Graham Wynn to trigger an all in brawl –which would become a staple of Origin– and light the fuse on a bitter rivalry that still rages on thirty-five years later. Perhaps worried that the animosity would be fleeting Beetson then unloaded an uppercut on Parramatta teammate Mick Cronin. What followed was a wild series which brought with it the realisation that friends and colleagues would not be spared. For the chip on the shoulder Queenslanders in particular it was time for some serious payback. The fighting and brawls truly became a major part of State of Origin. The Aussies, of course, love a dust-up and the tendency of the opposite number on each team pairing up in a digging match made the brawls quite the spectacle.

In 2013 the National Rugby League (NRL) realising that Origin was gaining popularity outside of Australia decided that the fighting had to end. A punch thrown now means a visit to the sin bin and at the breakneck speed of these games being down to 12 men means hell on the body. The problem is that the average rugby league fan was absolutely disgusted by the removal of, indisputably, one of the most compelling aspects of Origin. Not so much the fighting but the lingering sense that things were set to boil over at any moment. To grow outside of its heartlands, Origin probably had to eradicate the brawling. Sure it’s a visceral, guiltily thrilling sight but to grow the game –or grow commercially- it was deemed that the melees needed to be stamped out. In truth and in time the change will be appreciated for the better.

The games themselves have produced some truly iconic moments, many of which have involved the recently retired Darren Lockyer, a Queensland maroon during his playing days. Queenslanders love for rugby league is unmatched and such is the admiration and love for their star players that Lockyer and Wally Lewis –the original Origin legend– that both have had statues of themselves erected -by others of course- outside Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. In this part of the world, statues are reserved for the departed which seems largely pointless as those honoured never find out. We prefer the Australian way. ‘Locky’ (38) and Wally (55) are far from pushing daisies and what harm if the people of Queensland show two of their humble greats just how much they mean to them.

This year’s series has been deprived of perhaps its brightest light in the form of the freakishly talented, former Blue, Jarryd Hayne. The ‘Hayne Plane’ has decided to try his hand with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL and the fact he has even made their roster is a testament to his extraordinary skills. Meanwhile, current Wallaby full-back Israel Folau soared and starred as a teenager for the Maroons. In terms of the current stars on show keep an eye out for Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston –a manipulator of time with the ball in hand- and his teammate, the freakish Greg Inglis, scorer of this try. Hell-bent on stymieing Thurston will be Beau Scott, a man who dwells in that murky realm where referees hold little sway or significance. Scott got to JT last year and really knocked the lynchpin off his game. Keep an eye on that one.

One of the most appealing aspects of State of Origin is the emphatically Australian commentary team. During a week in which we sadly lost Bill O’ Herlihy –a welcome presence in millions of Irish sitting rooms for nigh on forty years- you realise once more the true importance of affable, knowledgeable sports broadcasters. Ray ‘Rabbits’ Warren –the bombastic voice of Australian rugby league- heads a broadcast team comprised of the aforementioned Lewis, the balanced New South Wales veteran Peter Stirling and the infectiously passionate, partisan Blues legend Phil ‘Gus’ Gould. Warren and Gould joust verbally in the manner of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, Lewis ardently flies the flag for Queensland, while Stirling attempts to keep some semblance of objectivity to proceedings. The golden age of commentators as stars in their own right seems to be sadly dying out but Warren truly belongs to the old breed, a man who genuinely lives the game and is inextricably linked to its very core.

This year’s series gets under way in Sydney’s ANZ Stadium today. The series then moves on to Melbourne –Victoria is traditionally an Aussie Rules stronghold but again the NRL have wisely tried to widen the game’s appeal- before the last leg in Brisbane, where hopefully the series will be on the line. New South Wales won last year, ending Queensland’s Lockyer led unprecedented eight-year dominance. In 2006, the first year of the Maroon’s reign, there were concerns –predominantly from Sydney- that the northerners couldn’t provide a challenge and that the series was teetering on the brink of irrelevance. Soon New South Wales saw themselves hungry and chastened. This year’s series is wide open. Blues enforcer, Greg Bird –the archetypal opposing player you hate the most yet would love to have in your team- misses out as he’s away doing charity work. Nah. He’s suspended for six weeks. Hard as titanium captain Paul Gallen also misses out so the balance shifts ever so slightly towards Queensland.

The Maroons, historically the more flamboyant side, are famed for pulling last gap victories seemingly from a lucky bag so the Blues will look to keep it tight and maintain dominance through their monster pack. The aging Maroons however, like Custer, have one last stand in them.

Trust us, you do not have to be a fan of rugby to appreciate this one. As Ray Warren himself said, “It’s a violent game, understood, but I don’t use words like brutality. Because there’s a beauty about it.” Watch and you’ll realise just how accurate those words are.

Our Pick: Game 1 – Queensland by 2:

Series 2-1 Queensland

Game 1: Today 11 a.m.

Game 2: 17th June 11 a.m.

Game 3: 8th July 11 a.m.

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Gaelic Games

All-Ireland Hurling Championship 2015 – Preview

As Clare and Limerick prepare to face off in Thurles next Sunday we’ll attempt to predict the outcome of the 2015 All- Ireland Hurling Championship. From where we’re looking inter-county hurling is in fantastic health heading into this year’s championship. Kilkenny –while still the team to beat- no longer have the relentless stranglehold over the championship that the rest of Ireland was forced to endure from 2006-2012. Tipperary were a Hawkeye’s breadth away from a twenty-seventh All Ireland title last September while Limerick gave Kilkenny what may well have been their toughest challenge of the summer in the Croke Park floodplain last August. The defending champs are in good shape going into their title defence, but arguments can and will be made for the chasing pack, who may just sense the first hints of the demise of an empire. Although we’ve heard that tune before. We’ll start our previews in Munster, where the Liam McCarthy winners of 2013, Clare, face a steadily improving and for our money, underrated Limerick side on Sunday. We’re going to keep it simple with an overview of the main contenders and our prediction for the winners of Munster and Leinster and ultimately who we feel will be crowned champions after the now annual All-Ireland hurling final replay in late September.

Clare

There is always tension abound when Davy Fitzgerald is around. The furiously –some say excessively- intense manager has ushered in a new era of success in his native county following the halcyon days –of which Fitzgerald was a fundamental piece– of Clare hurling in the mid to late 90s. 2013’s All-Ireland was fantastically unexpected and a shock exit last year at the hands of an exciting young Wexford side, in a stunned Cusack Park was probably an unexpected reintroduction to reality for some of the previous year’s starlets. Fitzgerald seems to know one speed only- maniacally fast- and similarly strict inter-county regimes have drawn some unfavourable comparisons with stricter masters of another era. The league campaign was classed as a disaster in some quarters despite relegation to Division 1B coming only after successive one point defeats to Kilkenny in Nowlan Park. Still, Podge Collins defection to the footballers and the furore over Nicky O’ Connell and Davy O’ Halloran’s departure from the panel suggest a less than content camp. Nonetheless, Fitzgerald has no doubt used these minor upheavals to further convince his players that the entire universe is against Clare. The feeling remains that the 2013 edition may have delivered the Liam McCarthy earlier than anticipated in the team’s cycle. Time to see this summer whether the players still buy into the Davy Fitz manifesto.  We think it will be all duck or no dinner for the Bannermen.

One to Watch: You can forgive Shane O’ Donnell a ‘distracting’ winter after his 2013 heroics but –fully fit once more- he appears to be back to his predatory, clinical best.

Limerick

Limerick must have looked back numerous times on last year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kilkenny and wondered what if? What if one of those balls had splashed its way past David Herity? What if they had killed the game when they had the chance? What if Kilkenny didn’t have someone like Richie Power to spring off the bench and change the game’s outcome? Soundly beaten by Dublin in the League quarter- final one suspects T.J. Ryan’s men have bigger fish to fry, preferably in September. Limerick are possessed of some the most underrated hurlers in the country- even all-star cornerback Seamus Hickey seems that little bit under appreciated. Honest, hard and smart from front to back Limerick now have a genuine threat inside in Shane Dowling, ably supported by Declan Hannon and tireless captain Donal O’ Grady’s surges from midfield. Injuries need to clear up –particularly O’ Grady’s ankle- if Limerick are to contend seriously but we’ll be very surprised if they are not involved in the business end of the championship. For the first time since the superbly talented, though cruelly unrewarded team of the 90s, Limerick are enjoying consistency in terms of both personnel and playing style. Limerick can match Tipperary and Kilkenny as illustrated in recent years, but they need to get the job done as the summer winds to a close. We believe they can.

One to Watch: Shane Dowling’s consistent free-taking has now been matched by real menace with the ball in hand. If he catches fire so will Limerick.

Cork

Helmed by perhaps the most popular man in hurling, Jimmy-Barry Murphy, Cork know that this is the year where they’ll have to make use of the pot or lift themselves off it altogether. Amidst all the drama of 2013’s drawn game and replay is the reality that Cork were denied an All-Ireland victory by an absolutely ludicrous first ever championship score by Clare corner-back Domhnall O’ Donovan. Cork regressed badly in the All-Ireland series last year getting absolutely savaged by a ruthless Tipperary team. What stuck out that day –apart from Tipperary’s excellence- was just how anaemic Cork’s performance was. Was it just the case of a young team hitting a bump in the road or is there a deeper question about this side’s character? The biggest game Cork have faced since then was in this year’s League final where they were systematically picked apart by this year’s surprise package, Waterford. Waterford were very good on the day, but they aren’t that good. Conversely, Cork simply aren’t all that bad. They’ve uncovered some real talents in recent years –Séamus Harnedy, Mark Ellis, and Conor Lehane- who have injected real vigour and zip into the team. However, all eyes will be on Aidan Walsh who realised that juggling two relationships just isn’t worth the hassle. A winter and spring devoted exclusively to the small ball should see his game come on from last year. Cork could go deep but we feel there are too many question marks, particularly in relation to their porous defence.

One to Watch: Patrick Horgan. As good a dead ball specialist as there is in the country, Horgan also poses a huge threat in and around the ‘twenty-one’ and always has a goal in him.

Waterford

The surprise package of this year’s National League, Waterford were superb in catching Tipperary and then comfortably despatching Cork to win the minor national title. Derek McGrath has come in and admirably filled a panel with men who are pulling entirely in the same direction. Waterford have been possessed of fine hurlers over the last twenty years but rumours of factions and divisiveness were never too far from the mix. Frankly the bar was set low last season but the Deise have thrown their hat in the ring with that unexpected though highly impressive dismantling of Cork. Young, inexperienced groups thrive on success and Waterford’s new collective, led by the immense Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh have the look of the side who will cause the established order some real headaches this summer. Maurice Shanahan –whose goal-machine brother Dan now forms part of the management team- should return to the twenty-one but despite the presence of the hugely promising Jake Dillon and Colin Dunford, very few of the side are championship hardened. Derek McGrath garners silverware everywhere he goes and has created a very impressive C.V. in a relatively short period of time. This Waterford project appears to be one into which he will invest heavily. There’s a temptation to say that it’s too early in the team’s progress to go for the ultimate glory but remember Clare took the chance when it was there in 2013. The Munster semi-final battle with Cork in three weeks will be truly indicative of where Waterford are really at. Until then, and despite their League victory they remain somewhat of a mystery.

Player to Watch: Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh. The heartbeat of Waterford throughout this decade. He’ll lay the foundations but it’s up to others after that.

Tipperary

It’s very interesting to see how Tipperary will react to last year’s defeat to Kilkenny after one hundred and forty minutes of engrossing spectacle. We’ve watched a lot of sport –too much- but no game we’ve seen comes close to last year’s epic drawn game in terms of sheer skill, spectacle and sporting theatre. It was a game that flew and almost felt free of time and not one of the 82,000 0dd in attendance –and millions watching around the world- could take their eye of that fizzing sliotar until Hawkeye intervened and ensured there would be a conclusion three weeks later- which incidentally is too long to wait. The biggest fillip for Tipperary is the return of manager Eamon O’ Shea, a man with an easy authority and a calm belief in his players. The players in Tipperary –and their sometimes fickle fans- have absolute faith in this man, faith which was bestowed after a remarkable mid-summer turnaround against Galway, when Tipp’ displayed a heretofore unseen steel. Tipperary steamrolled from there until they went gunslinging with Kilkenny in the game that still thrills on repeat watching. One wonders how much defeat at the end of such a memorable battle will drive Tipperary on this summer. Noel McGrath –who we all hope makes a speedy and full recovery- will miss the remainder of the season but even still, Tipperary probably boast the best starting fifteen in the country. The suspicion remains that their bench is thin and now more so than ever it is squads that win you matches. Tipp will go deep but it will be interesting to see if they can get the black and amber monkey off their back.

One to Watch: When he is allowed marshal the forty-five in his favoured wing-back position, Padraig Maher is one of the most athletic, dominant defenders in the country.

And now to the main contenders in Leinster……

Offaly

Ok, this is probably a bit of a stretch and while Offaly aren’t going to uproots tress this summer bear in mind that they turned Limerick over in this year’s league. Brian Whelehan, one of the greatest half-backs of all time, has re-instilled the midlanders with the pride missing from a once classy, successful side. A Leinster title is beyond them but don’t be surprised if the forgotten team of Leinster hurling cause an upset in the qualifiers. Especially if they can drag someone down to Tullamore.

One to Watch: Shane Dooley. A persistently bright light in an otherwise dull sky for Offaly of late.

Wexford

Wexford made up the final piece of those glorious mid 90s summers –for neutrals- when they, Limerick, Offaly and Clare fought furiously for the Liam McCarthy without the distraction of the usual suspects. For Kilkenny fans of a certain age the sight of Billy Byrne –the traditional, edge of the square, paw in the air full forward- usually meant impending doom. Wexford are back –after a lengthy spell in the doldrums- and this is fantastic for hurling. Unquestionably the surprise package of last summer, Liam Dunne’s emerging side took the hugely unexpected scalps of Clare in a Cusack Park replay and then, perhaps more impressively –given the sudden weight of expectation- Waterford, in a thriller in Nowlan Park. The steam eventually ran out the following week and Limerick were in no mood to hold back, dishing out a twenty-four point lesson in clinical ruthlessness. There will be no hiding in the long grass for Wexford this June. They’ve found some scoring in Ciaran McDonald and Liam Óg McGovern and the driving, tireless Lee Chin is a star in the making. Kilkenny, though, will be waiting patiently on 21st June. If Wexford are serious about being taken seriously then they need to take the scalp of the champions in Nowlan Park. A Leinster championship would mean more to Dunne’s team. Possible but unlikely.

One to watch: Lee Chin. In the five games prior to the Limerick abomination Chin was truly outstanding and unlucky not to get a nod for an All-Star. The heartbeat of the team.

Dublin

Anthony Daly made fantastic progress with the Dublin hurler’s, highlighted by their 2011 National League and 2013 Leinster Championship victories and a first All-Ireland semi-final appearance since 1948. Following listless performances and chastening defeats to Kilkenny and Tipperary respectively in last year’s championship, Daly decided to step aside, perhaps knowing he had brought Dublin hurling as far as he could. Daly’s efforts really transformed Dublin hurling from whipping boys to genuine contenders but there was a feeling that things had gotten a little stale.  Former Cork goalkeeper, Ger Cunningham, has taken up the mantle and –for better or worse- his tenure will be judged on whether he can take Dublin to the Liam McCarthy Cup. Dublin are producing conveyor belts of talent at underage level- although Limerick and Galway will testify that this is not a guaranteed formula for success- and they already have quality throughout their team. They stumbled badly in the second half of the league semi-final against Cork but they battled that day without their best attacking option, Danny Sutcliffe. They’ll make a quarter final but to go any further they need to find consistent scoring outside of Sutcliffe and a settled home for Liam Rushe. For our money, an All-Ireland championship is too much to expect in the new regime’s maiden season.

One to Watch: Danny Sutcliffe. Given the right ball the St Judes club-man will run up big scores on any opponent. The supporting cast need to step up when necessary.

Galway

In the past people used to make predictions about how Galway would fare in the All-Ireland hurling championship. Then the penny dropped and with it the realisation that it’s completely pointless to pursue such an impossible task. Useful indicators like, say, league form, the previous year’s championship performance and injury reports seem to have absolutely no bearing on how Galway will perform in the championship. For years there was a clamour for Galway to enter one of the major provincial championships. So, along with Antrim they joined the Leinster championship in 2009 with mixed results. While the provincial championship has grown stronger, Galway, heading into their seventh summer in the east, have reached just one All-Ireland final -2012’s replay defeat to Kilkenny- and it still proves difficult to gauge how much progress has been made. Galway clubs –Portumna in particular- perform magnificently on the national stage yet the county’s collective don’t seem to gel quite as well. It’s hard to put your finger on it. In Joe Canning they’ve got probably the most talented –though sometimes absent- forward in the country and the supporting cast of Damien Hayes, Jonny Coen, Iarla Tannion and company should be delivering more. Why then the regular July exits? Perhaps a fear of missing that week of madness in Ballybrit -masquerading as a race meeting- is to answer for these inexplicable drops in performance. Ridiculous theories aside, there seems to be little expectation amongst the people of Galway for the success of their hurling team this summer. Which, given the lack of logic attached to the Galway hurling team, probably means an All-Ireland final appearance.

One to Watch: Joe Canning. Until some of Galway’s talented underachievers step up all eyes will be on the phenomenal Canning. Needs to be in the middle. At all times.

Kilkenny

And so, to the reigning champs. The winter of 2014 saw forty-eight combined All-Irelands medals ride off into the sunset. While J.J. Delaney –whose masterful hook of Seamus Callanan in last year’s replayed final was the iconic moment of two breathtaking afternoons of hurling- is the only departed starter from last year, there is no questioning that the panel has been weakened by the further departures of Henry Shefflin, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Aidan Fogarty and David Herity. Some of those players will go down as all-time greats and we’re inclined to think that Shefflin is –not even arguably- the most influential hurler of recent generations. But, while “the king stay the king” there is life after Henry. In the immediate future, it is Delaney’s absence that will be most keenly felt. Moved from half back –where he was peerless- to the edge of the square after Noel Hickey’s departure in 2010, he took to his adopted role almost effortlessly and it is fitting that his thrilling joust with Callanan last September would be his last in the black and amber. Still, the only person that moves on quicker than time is that famous sentimentalist, Brian Cody and he would have immediately put his thoughts to finding Delaney’s replacement. The job to fill the Johnstown man’s intimidating boots has gone to All-Star cornerback Paul Murphy. It will be very interesting to see how the Danesfort man goes. Kieran Joyce’s emergence at centre-back bodes well in light of Hogan’s departure while John Power has fit seamlessly into the forward unit. Kilkenny’s new leader is, without a doubt, Hurler of the Year, Richie Hogan, who –free from comparisons with past greats- is thriving in his role further out the field. Everyone bar Cody will objectively view this season as a year of transition. But, given the balanced mix of veterans and the recent influx of fresh talent Kilkenny are better equipped to defend their title than they were in 2013. If they don’t win it all then their conquerors in late summer –whoever they might be- most likely will.

One to Watch: Richie Hogan. With all eyes on the 2014 hurler-of-the-year it will be interesting to see if he can dominate in the manner of the latter end of last summer.

Our Predictions:

Legitimate arguments can be made for far too many teams so we’ve chosen to get off the fence and make a definitive call –which will most likely make us look idiotic come September. When all factors are taken into account, Kilkenny and Tipperary are the two best teams going into this year’s championship. And for us this year the winner is coming from one of last year’s two finalists, Cork or Limerick. We’re inclined to stick our neck on the line and go for 2013 Munster champions, Limerick. T.J. Ryan’s side hardly set the league alight, instead taking the opportunity to blood some youngsters, fully aware that the crescendo in their performance needs to come in September. It’s too early for Waterford and Wexford and too crazy in Clare. It would be disingenuous to suggest we know what to expect from Galway and we’re not entirely convinced by Dublin. Cork are the most likely team to leave us with egg on our face as last year’s aberration against Tipp’ may just have been an off day for a young team. Last year’s beaten finalists should have the same single-minded hunger of the 2010 winning team, while Kilkenny, well, their recent record provides a compelling enough argument, but the panel is unquestionably weakened in light of the raft of high-profile retirements.

Limerick could easily have toppled Kilkenny last year and will be just as motivated as Tipperary. In an open championship, with no outstanding side –at least from the outset- T.J. Ryan must know that this is his side’s big chance. The upheaval and parochial nonsense that constantly nagged at Limerick hurling has been put to the side in recent years. The path through Munster will prove difficult so don’t be surprised if they depart on the road less taken –for eventual champions- through the qualifiers. The sense is that hurling is about to enter another golden age and who better than Limerick –so often the bad beats of hurling- to prevail.

Munster Champions: Tipperary

Leinster Champions: Kilkenny

All-Ireland Champions: Limerick (9/1 generally)

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Cricket

The Whole World Laughs at England

While Irish sport pores over Jack Grealish’s decision on his nationality –he seems to be waiting for the pretty girl’s call but he might just settle for the consolation prize of Ireland if she ignores him much longer- it’s interesting to observe how one of the greatest English cricket players of all time is being denied the opportunity to play for his country by their newly appointed rulers. For those who have no interest in cricket –and we know there are many- this story is compelling as an observation of administrative incompetence. There’s a certain satisfaction –most likely the world over- in seeing English sporting bodies make complete laughing stocks of themselves as the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has done this week. Do we dislike the English? Of course not. Do we enjoy seeing England, and, in particular their beyond reproach sporting administrative bodies, fall flat on their faces? Absolutely. Kevin Pietersen, England’s marmite-like, South African batsman at the centre of the controversy has been indefinitely denied a place in the English team under the new regime. The problem is that the same person who rubberstamped Pietersen’s exclusion –not a ban- incoming chairman, Colin Graves also told him, just two months ago, that if he put up some numbers playing in English county cricket he’d be in the England selectors thoughts once more.

Natal born Pietersen has rarely if ever been able to escape controversy since his English test debut in 2005. That summer the swashbuckling right-hander was the toast of English cricket, playing a massive role in England regaining the Ashes from Australia for the first time since 1989. Since then he has fallen in and out –mostly out- of favour with team-mates and he garnered the reputation as a surly, arrogant, divisive character who is all about the team but just as long as he comes first. Pietersen was touted as a highly talented though enormously difficult character when he first arrived in England in the early 2000s so English cricket knew exactly what it was getting. For all his misgivings KP has elicited mass sympathy since the new director of English cricket, former teammate Andrew Strauss, told him this week that he was not involved in England’s plans either now or in the future. Pietersen’s bold boy in the corner routine neatly dovetails with the sacking, for second time of English coach Peter Moores.

Six years ago following a dispute with then captain Pietersen, Moores was dismissed from his position, while Pietersen, who had undermined his manager completely, was removed as head of the tribe. 2013’s dismal Ashes Series saw England beaten the length and breadth of Australia and afterwards the rapid back-to-back departures of coaches Andy Flower and then Ashley Giles. Moores was tempted back – perhaps he has a goldfish memory- for a further bout of failure and ultimately humiliation. The ECB knew he wasn’t up to the job the first time so why reappoint him? Pietersen, meanwhile has been out of the national picture since after the 2013 Ashes –where he was England’s best batsman -when he was told by then ECB Managing Director, Paul Downton that he was surplus to requirements going forward. Fine thought KP as he made his way to India to reap the rewards of seven weeks play in the lucrative Indian Premier League. All relatively humdrum so far but the insular ECB, themselves about to undergo a mini facelift, replacing company men with their mirror images, conspired to illustrate their collective idiocy.

First, incoming chairman, Colin Graves dangled a big juicy carrot in Pietersen’s direction with an assurance that if KP returned and played county cricket –four day matches- and scored runs then he could be in contention for the summer tests against first New Zealand and then the crucial Ashes series against an Australian side who can clearly smell blood. Pietersen who you must remember had his England career cut short on somebody else’s terms jumped at Graves open invitation, forewent his relatively lucrative IPL contract and returned home to play for Surrey. His willingness to buckle down was further confirmed by his agreement to play for Surrey free of charge. Surrey meanwhile would get free labour from one of the best batsmen of the last ten years. All the while England were muddling their way to a drawn test series –a series they needed to be winning at a canter- against a West Indian side shorn of their stars, and at the beginning of a new cycle. The knives were sharpening over the now erstwhile coach Moores and the axe eventually dropped earlier this week.

Moores’ sacking –which was widely leaked before the man himself knew- was the catalyst for some top class idiotic machinations from one hell of a self-regarding organisation. Strauss replaced Paul Downton –the old enemy of Pietersen- and it was the new boy who told Moores to empty his locker. Down in Surrey Pietersen –only playing for crowds of three-hundred because of new chairman Graves’ direction- was en-route to compiling his highest ever score of 355. So when the new regime came in an expectant Pietersen’s dreams were smashed when Strauss stressed there was a “massive trust issue” with the South African – perhaps Strauss in his new role as head boy was settling old scores– and he wasn’t part of England’s plans going forward. Then, in a gesture of patronising appeasement, Strauss offered Pietersen a role as advisor to the one-day side. So Strauss effectively thought, ‘basically Kevin we (and mainly I) don’t trust you to play but we would like you to fulfil a perfunctory role to make us feel better. We’re so progressive that we’re actually allowing you partake in a fundamental trust exercise.’ Graves, like a back-pedalling politician, seems to have quietly removed himself from the furore and towed the party line. In fact, the whole ECB are patting themselves on the back for dealing with Pietersen openly. Except they didn’t. And, while he certainly has his misgivings they’ve somewhat deceived him and definitely portrayed themselves as incompetent and out-of-touch.

Perhaps the bigger point here is that England have ignored their best player in the last 18 months because he’s a bit of a dick. When did a player ever have to be universally liked? Or, more ridiculously, when did an administrative body decide that a man couldn’t represent the national team because they didn’t trust him. True, Pietersen is a tantrum waiting to happen but it’s not like he slept with their wives. There are plenty of arrogant sportsmen out there whose teammates choose to co-exist with because it means a stronger collective on the field. LeBron James is arrogant enough to unilaterally take two weeks downtime in Miami mid-season, while even current Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has ruffled the feathers of teammates past and present.  And Cristiano Ronaldo –obviously an all-time great- is a surly ass, who appears to be on the verge of tears if anyone other than him scores for Real Madrid.   

Most pertinently for England, Australia are on the horizon. And Australians love nothing more than humiliating the English in the Ashes. Pietersen’s omission has been met with bemused delight by the Australian cricket community, confounded by the fact that their great nemesis of Ashes past has been sent to pasture before his time. Incidentally Pietersen bats at number four, a position which is currently filled by England stalwart Ian Bell. Why didn’t the petty Strauss or even Graves simply mention that Bell is currently entrenched in the side but that Pietersen will be considered if a drop in form or injury intervene?

You learn to accommodate your best players, histrionics and all. Surely that is part and parcel of management. Australia –the top ranked side in the world- would assuredly find a place for Pietersen in their playing setup. They are all about winning. And, while the ECB might make a similar claim they are clearly an antiquated entity that never fail to shoot themselves in their clumsy feet.

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Boxing

Boxing has Nothing to Fear Except Boxing Itself

Last weekend’s ‘Fight of the Century, between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, was neither surprising, exhilarating nor exciting, surely prerequisites for such a bombastically titled contest. While most observers outside of HBO, Showtime, Sky -you get the picture- predicted a snorefest, fight fans couldn’t help but hang on to that tiny thread of hope that a thirty-eight-year-old, nineteen year pro and his thirty-six-year-old, sixty-four fight veteran opponent would defy the relentless dream-thwarter that is logic and put on the classic that boxing so dearly needed. Or that we the fans too obviously wanted.

And, perhaps that is where the problem lies. Trawl through the truly classic fights from any era; Hagler-Hearns, all three episodes of Ali-Frazier, Leonard-Duran parts one and two, and you will find that none of the fighters were near as advanced in either years or ring mileage than last weekend’s combatants.  The contest had an odd carnival-like build-up, made even more bizarre by television host Jimmy Kimmel accompanying Pacquiao for his ring entrance. Kimmel now has a wonderful anecdote for guests on his Tonight Show but what does this say about Pacquiao’s pre-fight frame of mind? Was he just happy to be part of this global circus, content to have headlined the M.G.M. Grand with Mayweather? This was sold as an era-defining fight yet failed miserably, by any measurable standard, to deliver.

By contrast, consider 1975’s epic ‘Thrilla in Manilla’, the concluding chapter of the bitter feud between Geroge Frazier and Muhammad Ali. Sitting in his corner at the end of Round 14 Frazier, face an abstract mess, begged with his trainer Eddie Futch to let him return for the final round. “I want him, boss,” begged Frazier. Futch replied, before throwing in the towel, “It’s all over. No one will forget what you did here today”. Forty years later the ‘Thrilla in Manilla” still resonates as one of the greatest occasions, not just in boxing, but in all sporting history.  We say with borderline certainty that virtually nobody will remember what Mayweather and Pacquiao did –or perhaps more pertinently didn’t do- by even this time next year. Mayweather slowly, methodically ground out a victory in the same manner to which he has become accustomed in the last five years, with Pacquiao appearing mildly discomfited by the outcome.

Still, the wheels of boxing commerce must grind onwards so the immediate thoughts for Al Haymon, Mayweather’s adviser and Top Rank Promotions for Pacquaio must surely have been, ‘just how can we fool a global audience into actually wanting to see this dross again? Why, let’s just blame this atrociously uninspiring and overhyped letdown on Manny’s injured shoulder.’ Dr. Neal Attrache, Pacquiao’s surgeon, has already indicated that surgery on the thirty-six-year old’s torn rotator cuff has gone splendidly. Pacquaio will need between nine and twelve months to heal. In the meantime, Mayweather will sleepwalk his way to another predictably dull points decision -perhaps over Britain’s Amir Khan- fulfilling his mutually beneficial contract with Showtime and hanging up his gloves. But just think for a moment – Mayweather will have packed it in on 49-0, agonisingly close to usurping Rocky Marciano’s age old record. Then, from the east comes a rejuvenated Manny Pacquiao hell-bent on avenging his 2015 loss –which will now be sold as courageous in light of his ‘devastating’ shoulder ailment- to his nemesis Mayweather. Meanwhile, Mayweather mutters something about being ‘too old for this shit’ –and nearing forty he’ll have a point- but nothing talks to ‘Money’ like money. Perhaps we’re taking two and two and running off the deep end with it but this theory is probably depressingly accurate.

In any event, what do we really expect from a rematch? Mayweather is not going to change from a tried and severely trying –at least for spectators- style while Pacquaio, whose superhero left arm is rapidly weakening is not going to morph into the fighter of old just because his right jab is back in town. The truth is, no one saw what they wanted in Las Vegas –which would be a first- insofar as we failed to get a toe-to-toe brawl. Boxing is raw, animalistic. There’s no denying the buzz in the air when a clean shot causes the legs to buckle or the head to snap back. It’s hard to recall more than a handful of telling shots landing in this welterweight contest. According to reports, the M.G.M. Grand don’t even want the rematch, citing as deterrents the logistic nightmare of staging the first fight and the fact that fans were completely underwhelmed by what they saw. Instead, they’ve set the date aside for an as yet unnamed concert. Which is akin to saying that you’re busy that day, but you just haven’t decided why yet.

If we have seen the last of Pacquiao then so be it. He has lit up boxing, fighting all-comers, thrilling a worldwide audience while providing a symbol of pride to his native Philippines. If Mayweather fights no more after September then it will be farewell to a superb technician, whose boxing legacy may well be tarnished by his crass, vile nature.

Boxing needs to leave its greats to go to pasture gracefully and move in a new direction now. The masses believe what they are told, but it seems crazy to focus on two fading lights when there is such a bright constellation of stars to choose from. The man who should be cast immediately into the spotlight is Kazakhstan’s Gennady Golovkin, comfortably the most exciting man in boxing right now. The unbeaten, softly-spoken yet destructive prizefighter is on a streak of eighteen straight knockouts and has the highest knockout percentage of any middleweight in professional boxing history. Unfortunately, Golovkin has the entire division scattering for cover. Miguel Cotto, a former foe of Mayweather and Pacquiao stands between Golovkin and complete domination of the 154-pound division. But the Puerto Rican, who is the lineal champion –best let you figure this one out yourself- is steadfastly ignoring GGG and this is in itself is the problem with professional boxing today. The best fighters should face each other in their prime and fiscal considerations should not be allowed derail these potential classics.

Mayweather versus Pacquiao would have been a legitimate ‘superfight’ in 2010 but for well-documented reasons the bout was constantly delayed and when eventually consumed by the public completely past its sell-by-date. Gennady Golovkin –an absolute superstar in any other era- will, at thirty-three, probably be denied the chance to display his phenomenal skill-set to the larger sporting audience. And, for a sport which is meant to thrive on the conflict of its finest combatants, this is both nonsensical and unforgivable.

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Floyd Mayweather Junior -v- Manny Pacquiao

The Fight the World Deserves

Floyd Mayweather Junior -v- Manny Pacquiao

Welterweight Title Unification -Sunday 3rd May, 5 a.m. (G.M.T.) M.G.M. Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada

The greatest battles –at least the ones that make for the greatest viewing- require an easily identifiable protagonist and antagonist. To put it crudely, they need a good guy and a bad guy, just like the classic westerns. So, at long last, and with the sincerest of thanks to the combined efforts of those pragmatic, philanthropic souls at Mayweather and Top Rank Promotions the self-styled ‘Fight of the Century’ will take place this Saturday night in the M.G.M. Grand, Las Vegas. Finally, the world will get to see the long overdue showdown between the undefeated, egotistical Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Junior and the indefatigable, firecracker Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao.

Since Mayweather’s defeat of the great Oscar de la Hoya in 2007, he has rapidly deteriorated into an arch-villain more suited to a graphic novel. His grandiose, obscene histrionics have made him nigh on impossible to warm to for the average punter. In a perfect example of success wiping away past acts of malevolence, there have only been bare whispers in the media in the build up to this fight of Mayweather’s 2011 conviction in a Nevada court for the assault of his former partner in front of their two young children. Never exactly an endearing soul, these deplorable actions ensured Mayweather would never win a place in the hearts of the people.

For Mayweather’s chalk, we have the Filipino cheese, Manny Pacquiao. On top of being a six-weight world champion, ‘Pacman’ is an elected politician in his homeland as well a reserve in the Philippines army. Ask a busy man and all that…. He is absolutely adored in his home country, a truly revered, national treasure. Pacquiao’s popularity also stretches deep into boxing obsessed Mexico, where his willingness to go toe to toe with his opponent draws fond comparisons with such greats as Julio Cesar Chavez and Marco Antonio Barrera. Like the Mexican greats, Pacquiao’s impulse has always been to come with a flurry and see who’s still standing when the dust settles. True, Mayweather won’t want for support but the indisputable fact is that the majority of neutrals would like to see Ang Pambansang Kamao -‘The Nation’s Fist’’  return to General Santos City the first ever conqueror of the brash American.

Saturday’s encounter can, in many ways, be viewed with a tinge of regret. Bad blood –and bad blood testing– petty squabbles and plain, old greed prevented this bout from happening at the turn of the last decade, when these men were head and shoulders above anyone in the welterweight -147 pound- division. It’s not an exaggeration to say that since 2007- at a time when mixed martial arts were thriving and didn’t have to rely on one mouthy Dubliner to pique the public interest- these men ensured boxing has maintained its relevance in the general sporting domain. Belatedly, this Saturday night we get too aging boxers –Mayweather is thirty-eight, Pacquiao thirty-six- cashing in on an obscene pay day before the curtain comes down on two extraordinary careers. In no other sport could two men, clearly in decline, demand the highest pay cheque in sporting history for a fight that should have happened five years ago. And, despite what HBO, Showtime and legendary promoter Bob Arum say this fight’s impact most likely won’t resonate for generations to come in the manner of say, Hagler v Hearns in 1985 or 1980’s enduring ‘No Mas’ encounter between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.

And yet, as unashamed addicts of sports and, indeed popular culture, we can’t wait to see how this one unfolds. Anyone who’s anyone will be in ‘Vegas on Saturday night. It doesn’t matter whether you know a southpaw from a dog paw, those ringside seats are the hottest ticket in the world this weekend. True, the fight is being overhyped but it would be a travesty if these two bonafide legends hung up their gloves without first throwing down in a Las Vegas ring. There are obvious caveats; potential lack of hunger, the reality that great fighters rarely put on their best bouts in their twilight years and, of course, the fact that Juan Manuel Marquez dropped and stopped Pacquiao with the sort of shot that derails careers in their 2012 contest. Remember, however, that Pacquiao has long sought a shot at Mayweather, while his opponent is on the cusp, at 47-0, of equalling Rocky Marciano’s incredible, unmatched 49-0 career record.  Mayweather says the record does not interest him, but he dare not contemplate retirement with the memory of his opponent’s arm being raised in the middle of the ring. And, while it probably shouldn’t -given that it’s five years too late- this fight, more than any other, will leave indelible marks on the legacies of both men. True, this isn’t the fight it could have been but let’s not cry over punches never thrown. Instead, let’s look forward to those that will be launched on Saturday night.

At the end of the last decade, both ‘Money’ and ‘Pacman’ were laying waste to all comers. In 2007, Ricky Hatton – one time and, no doubt, one time only drinking buddy of this column- appeared, at least on this side of the Atlantic to be the main threat to Mayweather at the top of the welterweight food chain. The Mancunian travelled to Las Vegas in December 2007 on the back of a brilliant promotion campaign –well done Mr Murdoch- an excellent, unblemished streak of his own and incredible goodwill, only to be picked apart by the classy Mayweather over ten lopsided rounds.  In May 2009, Pacquaio stopped Hatton in less than six minutes with a devastating left that precipitated the beginning of the end for Hatton’s career. These fights are highly instructive in illustrating the contrasting fighting styles of Saturday’s opponents. Mayweather’s controlled erosion of Hatton’s challenge was in many ways as impressive as Pacquiao’s swift, demolition job. To say Pacquiao’s only mode of offence is hyper-speed aggression would be disingenuous -particularly as he has become more of a tactician as he has moved up the weights and on in years- but there is no denying that Mayweather is the superior tactician and an unmatched, defensive genius.  There’s a reason he used to go by the moniker ‘Pretty Boy’ before he became an uber-dick and adopted ‘Money’- no one could touch him.

The question now, six years on, is which man’s decline has been steeper. In 2010 valid arguments could have been made for the both the technical mastery of Mayweather and the relentless, left-handed onslaughts of Pacquiao. Mayweather, defending WBA and WBC champ, is of course still undefeated but recent victories over the resilient, though ultimately workaday, Marcos Maidana showed a definite vulnerability in the once unbreachable defences of the Michigan native. Mayweather’s flashy, arrogant persona outside of the ring could barely be further from the ultra defensive, methodical counter-attacking genius whose signature victory is usually a lopsided twelve round verdict on the judges’ cards. For his part, Mayweather invariably prefers to square up against orthodox right-handers. The left handed Pacquiao fights in the southpaw stance – right hand and leg forward- and Mayweather is deemed to have had trouble with such fighters in the past, although the empirical evidence is rather limited in this regard. Forty seven times Mayweather has been challenged and a few scares aside- inevitable over the course of a career- the formula to stop him is yet to be perfected.

Pacquiao is conceding a little more than an inch in height and more pertinently five in reach to his older foe. This has become a regular handicap for a man who once fought as a super flyweight, off just 112 pounds. The smaller man needs to move in, systematically pick his punches and then move out of range. Bigger fighters than Pacquiao have tried to exert pressure on Mayweather but his incredible footwork and hand movement –like this check hook- generally leave them swinging at air or worse, as Hatton learned. It would be folly for us to suggest a game plan for taking down Mayweather when far wiser men have yet to figure him out but the man in Pacquiao’s corner, Freddie Roach, is about as studied a mind as exists in boxing, so the Filipino will not want for preparation. Still, the doubts remain. As Mayweather himself said this week, “Everybody’s game plan is to come forward and throw lots of punches. It hasn’t worked in 19 years and 47 fights.” So, why would it work now? Well, the most obvious threat to Mayweather is the fact that Pacquiao will likely execute his game-plan better than any other left hander –of which there have been only eight- that the American has faced. Nonetheless, and even with his superior punching power, Pacquiao is unlikely to get many open looks and this may lead to frustration and consequently reckless endeavours.

Mayweather is about as patient a boxer as there is on the planet. Allied to this is the fact that he is renowned for his ability to change tack mid-fight to neutralise his opponent’s most potent weapons or worse still set a fatal trap. Frankly, we feel Pacquiao will need to channel the spirit of 2008 when he put de la Hoya to the sword in what legendary HBO commentator Larry Merchant described as “death by a thousand left hands”, a furious, high intensity domination of one of the most storied fighters in boxing’s long and winding history. The passing of time is yet to be bettered though and Pacquiao’s skill-set appears to have been blunted more than Mayweather’s.  “The most exciting little fighter in the world”, is how Merchant once referred to Pacquiao. Such a shame he’s taking on the smartest little fighter in the world. The Marquess of Queensbury Rules made no allowance for sentiment all those years ago. Much as we want a Pacquiao victory, objective consideration just won’t allow us arrive at that conclusion. As first light breaks slowly on this side of the world, in a rabid Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather Jr will further confirm his status as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time.

The Verdict: Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Points/Decision (8/11 generally)

The Fighters

Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao
Money Pac-Man
Tale of the tape
Las Vegas,Nevada, U.S. From General Santos,Philippines
47–0 (26 KO) Pre-fight record 57–5–2 (38 KO)
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Height 5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m)
147 lb (67 kg) Weight 147 lb (67 kg)
Orthodox Style Southpaw
ESPN.com No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound
Unified WBA (Super), WBC, The Ring welterweight and light middleweight champion
5-division world champion		 Recognition ESPN.com No. 2 ranked pound-for-pound
WBO welterweight champion
8-division world champion
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Aaron Hernandez Trial

The Tragic and Destructive Downfall of Aaron Hernandez

At twenty-five, Aaron Hernandez has already seen his last days as a free man.

Even in a league as wild and sometimes surreal as the National Football League, the arrest and ultimate conviction of Aaron Hernandez for the murder of his close friend Odin Lloyd –for reasons that are still barely apparent– came as both a reality check and an unwanted surprise. While the verdict was not entirely unexpected, the rise and tragic fall of Hernandez should serve as a cautionary tale to those in positions of responsibility to step up and, while obviously not take responsibility for their players actions, at least try and help those characters who need saving from themselves. Not for one moment are we saying that the New England Patriots, Hernandez’ former employers, or the N.F.L. are in any way responsible for what could yet be turn out to be a series of violent crimes on the former tight end’s part. Still it’s hard to credit that Hernandez may have been involved in a life of violent crime – we’re not talking bar-room brawls here- while concurrently shining as a star throughout his entire career in the National Football League.

How did this all happen? How did a clearly troubled teenager morph gradually into a convicted murder under the presumptively watchful eye of, first the University of Florida, and then an N.F.L. franchise held in such high esteem? We can’t play moral judge or defamer here either but one can’t help but wonder how so many within these organisations failed to recognise that such a volatile, dangerous man was in their midst. For those who may be unaware – in addition to last week’s conviction in Massachusetts- Hernandez has been indicted, or formally charged, by a grand jury, for a double homicide shooting in the Boston neighbourhood of South End which took place in 2012. Not incidentally, the facts in that particular case also appear to be stacking up against the twenty-five-year-old Hernandez. Returning to the death of Odin Lloyd, the evidence before the court show that this was not some random act of violence or a crime of passion. Lead prosecutor William McCauley expertly utilised ballistic and forensic evidence which conveyed all the hallmarks of a gangland-style execution. Hernandez appears to be a quite simply, bad character but how could a sporting institution, particularly one such as the occasionally self-aggrandising New England Patriots, fail to even keep tabs on a man who they knew had previous off-field issues? Particularly when Hernandez’ home base of Hartford was little more than an hour from Foxborough, the home city to the New England Patriots.

Hernandez’ conviction comes at a time when players’ off-field activities seem to have hit an all-time low under the seemingly faux-caring eye of Roger Goodell, whose main goal seems to be making the already deep pockets of the thirty-two N.F.L. team owners fathomless. Goodell seems to take a pretty wide berth of player’s off-field activities – in his defence it is difficult to keep tabs when the competitors have roughly six months of down time each year- save for going for the jugular of those who commit that most savage sin of smoking weed. Last year, the Commissioner had to deal with the scandal surrounding Ray Rice viciously assaulting and knocking out his future wife in the lift of an Atlantic City casino. Next up was Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson facing charges of child abuse in his native state of Texas, a murky case with a murky outcome. Throw in domestic abuse charges rearing their head at an alarming rate and you can see why it might be in the interest of Goodell – who for the record earned $44.4 million last year – to focus as much of his attention on player welfare and behaviour, than on the burgeoning accounts of the sacred team owners. Goodell, to his credit though, must have been as shocked as the rest of America when Hernandez was arrested in connection with Odin Lloyd’s murder on 26th June 2013.

Hernandez life seems to have taken a downward spiral after the death of his father in 2006. The bond between father and son was, by all accounts, a deep and warm one but when father Dennis passed it seems his youngest son set off on a truly dark path. It goes without saying that people react to bereavement in markedly different manners, but if Hernandez had this –and there is no other word for this- malevolent streak in him, it is a shame that some dominant character somewhere in his life was not able to look past the outrageously talented athlete and see a highly troubled, aggressive youngster and try reaching out. Surely this man was not born a killer, so, how was he allowed slip down so many cracks before hitting absolute rock bottom?

Or are we being too lenient on Hernandez? Perhaps someone in his native Connecticut tried to help Hernandez. Or a college coach tried to steer him on the right path. Or maybe we’re just pushing out some dreamy nonsense about everybody having good in them when really we should be acknowledging that the protagonist alone should be held accountable for their actions. Still, we’re not buying the idea that a boy was born of Connecticut in 1989 with a killer’s blood already running through his veins. The extent of the New England Patriots hesitancy -financially driven of course- towards selecting Hernandez was in their decision to pick him in the fourth round of the annual college draft due to their reservations about Hernandez’ character. Teams don’t like when a first or second round pick becomes a ‘bust’ so Hernandez’ extra-curricular activities in Florida – at this point Hernandez had already tested positive for marijuana and far more seriously was alleged to have been involved in a double shooting in Gainesville, Florida- probably knocked him a rung or two down the ladder. Surely, by this time, if coach Bill Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft had serious concerns over the character and make-up of the then twenty-year-old one imagines they would have completely overlooked him. The reality is that right up until his arrest in 2013 Hernandez was a prized asset in his one-two tight end wrecking crew tandem with the ubiquitous Rob Gronkowski. He was just a year into a five-year $40 million contract.

Again let us be quite clear. The extremely well prepared prosecution case shows that it was Aaron Hernandez who drove with two friends, Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace to the car park of an industrial estate and took Odin Lloyd’s life in a cold and detached manner, despatching bullets into the victim’s back. Rather disturbingly, CCTV footage has Hernandez and his accomplices enjoying smoothies by his swimming pool while the former plays with his infant daughter just hours after the killing. We just wonder how a man with so much potential and opportunity was able to transform into this animal. The murder of Odin Lloyd was tragic and- as with most murders in a country where many allege liberal gun laws do not contribute to a disturbing number of gun-related deaths- entirely avoidable. There are, of course, wider lessons to be learned from the grim tale of Aaron Hernandez but, given the circumstances, the nagging feeling that all of this could have been avoided will always remain.

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Champions Cup 2015

Champions Cup Preview: Matt O’ Connor’s Fate in His Players’ Hands

One more backward step and Matt O’ Connor disappears off the cliff.

An Australian walks into a plum job and two years later still doesn’t know what he’s doing. That’s it, no joke or punchline here, simply a statement of fact pertaining to the general perception of Leinster coach, Matt O’ Connor.

O’ Connor’s reign over the eastern province has been nothing if not peculiar. He took over the reins from Joe Schmidt in 2013 – a poisoned chalice if ever there was one – and in his first season in charge led the side to the Pro 12 title and a quarter-final exit from Europe at the hands of Toulon, who themselves were en route to back- to -back Heineken Cup titles. Now, by anyone’s calculations this represents a more than honest day’s work at the office. But there have been rumblings of discontent from Leinster fans for quite some time now. Initially, the disenchantment appeared as a side-effect of the comedown from the phenomenally successful Michael Cheika and Joe Schmidt eras. It was only natural that Leinster fans would react as such- remember there were more than a few murmurs when Joe Schmidt lost a whopping three games in a row at the start of his Leinster tenure. And, don’t think Munster fans didn’t grumble after the Declan Kidney glory days. Or that a certain column didn’t decry Louis Van Gaal a mere eight months into his first season with Manchester United. However, one year on and with silverware in the bag, the Australian remains largely unpopular with the Leinster faithful. The criticism is based, seemingly, not just on a lack of success- how relative a term- but more on a lack of a discernible game plan for players to implement and for supporters to actually recognise.

Purely entertaining teams throw the ball around all the time. And win nothing. Cheika was the first in the long line of Leinster coaches to figure this out and, more importantly, bring his charges around to this way of thinking. Schmidt followed with his now famously disciplined defensive system where players simply dare not miss and every man is publicly –amongst his peers at least- made accountable for any errors made on his behalf. O’ Connor knew what he needed to focus on immediately upon his arrival – remember he came from the pragmatic Leicester Tigers- and to his credit Leinster were defensively excellent last year conceding just thirty tries in the Pro 12. Incidentally, this total is almost bang on par with what Schmidt and Cheika sides conceded in the Pro-12. This year, however, things have gotten progressively worse and just a fortnight ago Bath, led by the wonderfully talented George Ford –behemoth runners need not always apply- cut the formerly vaunted Leinster midfield to absolute shreds. Leinster won though, based on a powerful forward performance and a faultless kicking display by the enigmatic Ian Madigan.  So, just step back for a moment and think about it, Leinster are into the last four in Europe for the first time in three years and for our money have a great shot at an upset on Sunday. That’s not an awful season by any stretch. The problem though is that as the defensive foundations have crumbled the offense has crashed down in its wake.

Before we put O’ Connor in the stocks, how about we have a balanced look at his tenure and indeed the run-up to his appointment. We know luck is by its very nature completely random, and thus unquantifiable, but O’ Connor hasn’t been blessed with it. Before he even arrived in 2013 it was announced that Europe’s premier out-half Jonathon Sexton was off to Racing-Metro. Next man down? Just Isa Nacewa –who makes a welcome if unexpected return next year- arguably the greatest ever international export into the Irish provincial game. That leads us to last season where the Australian lost, not only captain Leo Cullen, but the greatest player Irish rugby has ever seen, Brian O’ Driscoll. So, to tally that, Leinster lost three of their four best players and their totemic captain in just two years. By no means are we O’ Connor apologists- it’s hard to get behind a grumpy Australian who blames all his woes on everyone else. Nonetheless, what we suggest is an objective look at the hand he has been dealt. His new signing in the centre, to ostensibly replace the once-off O’ Driscoll, Ben T’eo, is a rugby league convert who will need time to adapt in defence in this form of the game. And, before people criticise O’ Connor for signing the former South Sydney Rabbitoh, remember that it’s difficult to find a readily available, top- class centre in a World Cup year.

Now, however, to perhaps O’ Connor’s greatest sin, the failure to ignite a backline that includes at various times three Lions, eight Six Nations winners, a South African international and, Jimmy Gopperth. Ok, perhaps we’re being harsh on Gopperth but you can’t expect a backline to wreak havoc when you’re receiving the ball back in your own garden. Murray Kinsella provides an excellent analysis of where Leinster seem to be doing it wrong and how they can improve and it’s not just Gopperth who fails to shine. Ian Madigan has had his moments this season, but O’ Connor seems stubbornly opposed to dropping Wasps bound stand-off, Gopperth. Also, constantly looming over the Australian is the fact that Jonny Sexton will be back on these shores next year, and naturally will be a lock to play at number ten. So is it really a poor decision for O’ Connor to play Madigan at first centre, particularly if the latter intends to stay at Leinster? The real problem for O’ Connor right now is that he’s playing a game of poker where the stakes are phenomenally high and his stack of chips is diminishing rapidly. By sticking with Madigan at twelve, he’s putting his eggs in next season’s basket when Sexton will operate inside the younger man. However, if the triple-European champions get badly defeated on Sunday O’ Connor probably won’t be the man in the Leinster hot seat next year.

You feel the Leinster bed still hasn’t been made this season and no one really wants to sleep in it. A win on Sunday for them will clearly be perceived as the players taking matters into their hands – as with France and England in the past two World Cup Finals- while a loss, and specifically a bad one, will be the fault of an aimless coach failing to implement, or indeed identify, a game-plan over two seasons. Leinster have stuttered and stumbled their way into this weekend’s inaugural Champions Cup semi-final against two time reigning European Champions Toulon. Luckily for them so have the French side. Given the horrible run of form which Leinster have endured of late, all realistic hope –we use the words lightly- of silverware will rest on unlikely victories over the champions and most likely, the red-hot, perennial bridesmaids, Clermont Auvergne. Expect Leinster, littered with the type of talent most others could only dream of, to let the shackles off, whether directed to or not. The goods things from the Bath game- a dominant pack and excellent scrum- need to be married to intelligent offloads and a willingness to go from deep when the opportunity presents itself. Like most French sides Toulon don’t like when a visiting team puts it up to them so Leinster need to get into them early, even if it means blurring the lines between what’s legal and what’s not.

True, Toulon are looking for three-in-a-row but this is not the juggernaut of last year and, while the visitors are minus O’ Driscoll, the champions no longer have the services of the indescribably, important Johnny Wilkinson. Further, the game will be played, not in their Stade Mayol bear pit but in Marseille – where an arguably inferior Munster side ran the champions extremely close last year- which means home advantage is diminished. The visitors are better than we think while we’re not entirely sure what to make of the champions. As poor as Toulon were two weeks ago, you sense Wasps –definitely an inferior side to Leinster- may have angered a dozing giant in the quarter final, running their hosts far closer than anyone expected.

Victory here for Leinster will mean O’ Connor remains an Irish taxpayer for at least another year, even if his players get all the credit. We don’t think Leinster will die wondering on Sunday but with such a lack of certainty and continuity – even still no one knows the strongest team this deep in the season- we think this one will be a bridge too far. One perhaps for the moral victory category, but that may not be enough for the under-fire O’ Connor.

Toulon by 4 (Toulon generally -11)

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Golf

Things Just Got Interesting

From a phenomenal victory may spring an even better rivalry. 

While Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods ate up all the column inches in the lead up to the 2015 Masters, it was twenty-one year old Jordan Spieth who left the undisputed champion, in just his second appearance at the revered tournament. You couldn’t say the precocious Texan had his first major wrapped up at the half way point – victory can almost never be presumed in a Major championship – but by reaching Friday evening on a record-breaking fourteen under par, the heavy lifting had been well and truly seen to. He was the picture of calm on Sunday, when admittedly no real charge came from the chasing pack, despite some early promise from Justin Rose. Indeed, the only real blip was a bogey on eighteen, which prevented Spieth from finishing on a record winning total of nineteen under par. Instead, he’ll share the record with Woods. You just know you’ve reached some rarefied air if you’re sharing a record with Tiger.

While Woods’ victory back in 1997 was in many ways more impressive and certainly had a wider sporting and cultural impact, it’s arguable that Spieth isn’t getting the credit he truly deserves. As stated here last week we thought the second year professional would perhaps be too inexperienced to carry the weight of expectation down the back nine on a Sunday of the Masters, as has been the case with many before him. However, Spieth circumvented any potential obstacles by cruising through the foundation laying of Thursday and Friday and, even after a little wobble on Saturday, entered the final day with a four-shot lead. Last year, the intangible pressures of Augusta and a charging Bubba Watson got to Spieth on the final day but on Sunday he navigated the last leg of his journey with, what seemed to the untrained eye, the calm and know-how of a fifteen year veteran.

The Dallas native did not arrive in professional golf with anything even remotely like the fanfare surrounding Tiger Woods or more recently Rory McIlroy and for various reasons we understand why. Even still, his two victories in the U.S. Junior Amateur Open (2009 and 2011) are matched only by the greatest of all time -in our opinion- Woods. Further, prior to Sunday’s victory he had already won a tournament in each of his first three seasons as a professional. He is now, after that man Woods, the second youngest ever winner of the Masters – the next two youngest winners at Augusta National are sporting icons Seve Ballesteros and Jack Nicklaus- and the first wire-to-wire (Thursday to Sunday leader) winner since Raymond Floyd in 1976. Call it hyperbole if you want but we think this guy has the potential to be anything.

Rory McIlroy, who himself finished with a career-best score of twelve under in Augusta, knew he was never going to have it his own way but he may not have anticipated Spieth’s remarkably swift evolution from talented novice to genuine threat to the Holywood man’s place at the top of the world rankings. McIlroy, at just twenty-five, is already, indisputably a true great of the game but it will be interesting to see how he reacts to a man who appears to be as unshakably self-confident as the four-time major winner himself.

What definitely sets McIlroy and Spieth apart are the Irishman’s incredible power and accuracy off the tee, compared to his younger counterpart’s comparative lack of length and unfortunate aversion to fairways. Spieth is almost peerless in one department though- putting. McIlroy has no weakness as such but on the occasions where he falls out of contention invariably it his putting which fails to reach the imperious standards he sets in all facets of the game. Spieth’s putting performance was not an anomaly either this past week. He ranks first in putting average on the PGA Tour this year. Interestingly however McIlroy is superior, at least in statistical measures in virtually every other area of the game. Nevertheless, while you can be as polished as you like, sometimes it’s the guy with the better endgame that walks away with the prize.

Spieth assuredly will improve as a player as indeed will the best player in the world, McIlroy. Already he has done at twenty-one what the endlessly talented Sergio Garcia will most probably never do- win a major. That said McIlroy will fancy his chances to land an immediate counter-punch on Spieth when the year’s next major, the U.S. Open tees up in the big bombers’ paradise of Chambers Bay, Washington.

This budding rivalry couldn’t have arrived at a better time for golf as worldwide television ratings have been steadily plummeting –mainly because of the absence of you know who– in recent years. McIlroy will hardly welcome ideas of this relative upstart taking his place at the top of the world. The quiet southerner and the more limelight-friendly northerner look set to go toe to toe for years to come: Nicklaus versus Palmer for the 21st century. McIlroy is still the master of all that he surveys, but he’d best watch his throne. Ladies and gentlemen, things just got interesting.

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