As hundreds of millions of us sit down to a feast of football, who will stand out as a real champion of football? Who will light up the World Cup with a smile (remember Pele’s smile) instead of a raging roar of aggression? Or maybe a dance (Peter Crouch’s Robot Dance or the 42 year … Read more
Brian Davis felt his moment had finally arrived when he made a 17 foot putt birdie on the 18th green to tie with America’s Jim Furyk and force a play-off at The Heritage Classic in Southern Carolina. Davis, a 36 year old Londoner, had never won a tournament on the American PGA golf tour. He … Read more
And so the dream was taken away by the better side on the day, Scotland (20-23). It was interesting, when I asked Scottish fans before the game to forecast the result, all but one said ‘A Win!’. The other singular Scottish voice said he forecasted ‘a good weekend!’ Whilst most of our Welsh friends the … Read more
Welsh fans are amazing. Last year, when Ireland finally won our long awaited Grand Slam in Cardiff, I couldn’t help feeling that the Welsh celebrated it as much as we did. A year later I’m back in Dublin for Wales’ last international rugby match …. …to be held in hidden jewel in the crown which … Read more
After the extremely tense and very exciting England v Ireland rugby match in Twickenham yesterday*, as always, I met some wonderful colourful characters in Twickenham and this one was a former international who sees the fun in the occasion almost 50 years later. Meet Ron McCarten (photo), who told me that he actually played on … Read more
As it’s the start of a new year (not a new decade – isn’t that next year?), I thought the full sportsmanship poem is a good way to kick off the new year. Print it off. Pass it on. Let young and old read … Read more
During a recent BBC Radio 5 Live interview this Wigan fan shocked us all with his absolutely magnificent selfless sportsmanship gesture of all time……… During the interview I was moaning about the French footballer, Henri handling the ball (see 3 Wise Men) and demanding a replay in the name of Fair Play (as well as … Read more
Frenchman and Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, says “France should offer a replay – which I support personally. We want to beat Ireland properly.” French captain Thierry Henry says a replay of the World Cup play-off with the Republic of Ireland would “be the fairest solution”. France’s former superstar, David Ginola, said “there is no pride … Read more
They have a code of Fair Play. Now they have an opportunity to apply it. Will FIFA do it? Millions of children watched cheating win last night when a French player handled the ball twice to create the winning goal and throw Ireland out of the World Cup 2010. FIFA have a rare opportunity to … Read more
I recently learned something wonderful about the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team from 31 years ago. It was kindly sent to me by former Ireland and Lions sensational wing forward, Fergus Slattery whom I met in South Africa during the Lions tour this summer. Munster made history when they beat the mighty All … Read more