BRIEFS:SOCCER: MANCHESTER CITY striker Mario Balotelli underlined his reputation for the unpredictable as he turned up at an Inter Milan press conference yesterday afternoon.
The Italian international made an unexpected appearance as Inter formally unveiled their new manager Andrea Stramaccioni.
Balotelli knows Stramaccioni, who has been promoted from youth team coach, from his time at the Serie A giants and paid a visit to congratulate him on his appointment and to see old friends.
To much amusement, Balotelli walked into the room as Stramaccioni addressed media.
He shook his former manager’s hand and those of other people at the top table before leaving.
Balotelli (21) and the rest of the City squad have been given a couple of days off by manager Roberto Mancini but are due back at training tomorrow.
City will face Sunderland at the Etihad on Saturday.
Swann hauls England back into contention
CRICKET:ENGLAND'S BATSMEN were again undone by spin but Graeme Swann hauled them back into contention as 17 wickets tumbled on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
The tourists were bundled out for 193 – a first-innings deficit of 125 – after slow left-armer Rangana Herath took six wickets and off-spinner Suraj Randiv two. Only Ian Bell’s 52 and a late flurry of boundaries from the tail-end saved the side from meltdown, as the flaws exposed by Pakistan earlier in the year were again evident.
But, once again, England’s attack performed brilliantly with Swann taking four wickets after tea to leave Sri Lanka 84 for five. They will resume with a lead of 209, while Swann will hope to add to figures of four for 28.
National coach Muller steps down as new era beckons
HOCKEY:A NEW era for the women's senior team will begin in May following yesterday's announcement that Gene Muller will step down as national coach, five and a half years after he was appointed to the position, writes MARY HANNIGAN. It was a decision chief executive Angus Kirkland said the Irish Hockey Association "sadly accepts", while thanking Muller for his work over the years and wishing him well in his future endeavours.
The South African had decided in advance of the Olympic Qualifier in Belgium, which ended on Sunday with defeat to the hosts in the final, that this cycle would be his last in charge of the squad, his plan now to take some time out from the game before deciding on his future.
Before succeeding Riet Kuper in the post in October 2006, Muller had coached the South African women’s team, leading them to the Olympic Games in 2000, and the Canadian men’s team, as well as a number of provincial and university sides in both countries.
Adam to miss rest of season with knee ligament damage
SOCCER:LIVERPOOL'S SEASON has suffered another blow with the news that Charlie Adam will miss the rest of the season with lateral knee ligament damage.
The Scottish midfielder suffered the injury in the 3-2 defeat at Queens Park Rangers and will not play again before next season. The 26-year-old has had a disappointing first season at Anfield after his breakthrough at Blackpool last term. He has played 35 times for Liverpool but scored only two goals.
Liverpool have been without the central midfielder Lucas Leiva since November but the manager, Kenny Dalglish, still has several options in that position, including Steven Gerrard, Jay Spearing, Jordan Henderson, Dirk Kuyt and Jonjo Shelvey, as he tries to improve the team’s fortunes.
Liverpool have won one of their past six Premier League matches and are now 13 points off a Champions League place. The defender Jose Enrique said yesterday that the players, not Dalglish, were to blame for the team’s form.
McHale’s boot seals the deal
SCHOOLS RUGBY RICE COLLEGE, WESTPORT 6 SLIGO GRAMMAR 3:RICE COLLEGE, Westport, retained the Supermac's Connacht Junior Cup, which they had won for the first time last year, in yesterday's replay at the Galway Sportsground, writes LINLEY MACKENZIE. The Westport outfit eked out the win in another close-fought contest with Sligo Grammar who were denied their eight junior cup. Sligo captain Matthew Cosgrove gave them the lead after 26 minutes but two penalties from Tom McHale sealed the deal.
RICE COLLEGE: H Newman, D McGreal, J Dowd, N Feehan, K Moon, T McHale, E Varley, C Conway, S Southgate, C Brady, J Healy, F O'Mahoney, R Faby, C Burke, J Cashman. Replacements: M Gallagher for Varley (60min), O McNulty for Newman (65min), B Brady for O'Mahoney (inj-time).
SLIGO GRAMMAR: TJ Ford, J Tillion, P Oloyede, P Kilkoyne, C Doyle, D Brady, R Feehily, J Bartley, J Greer, D Smith, A McGuinn, C Joyce, F Walsh, J Conway, M Cosgrove. Replacements: J Craig Bartley (60min).
Referee: Shane McElwee(Connacht).
