Archive for March 2010

Sligo Rovers are held by visitors Shamrock Rovers

March 6, 2010 Irish News & Sport No comments
Sligo Rovers first half lead was squandered in the second period

Sligo Rovers first half lead was squandered in the second period

Sligo Rovers 1

Shamrock Rovers 1

An excellent first half performance in front of a bumper crowd was not reciprocated in the second half at the Showgrounds tonight as Shamrock Rovers clawed back a goal, courtesy of a James Chambers penalty.

Sligo had taken the lead midway through the first half. They were definitely the more confident and assured side, at that juncture.

It was a perfect evening for the Airtricity league opener and with a large crowd, a full main stand and an estimated 3,000 supporters, including a sizeable travelling support, the kick off was delayed by ten minutes by officials.

The Hoops were already in a spot of bother before even kick off, as the travelling fans lit up flares, that will see them fined in the days ahead.

Sligo showed great flair and panache in the opening half and there was no surprise when former Hoops man Eoin Doyle netted from a Richie Ryan cross on 22 minutes; the Hoops net having been put under pressure on a number of occasions earlier.

Early in the second half the Hoops penalty equaliser was not welcomed at all by the home fans, who moments earlier had witnessed what only can have been described as an Academy Award performance from some of the Shamrock Rovers players in the Sligo box.

Without the hindsight of television until MNS on Monday night many in the crowd that were wearing the bit o’red felt aggrieved at the harshness of referee Buttimer’s decision to award a penalty, but it was cooly slotted home by Chambers at the train end.

Rovers v Cork Athletic 1952 - blast from the past

Rovers v Cork Athletic 1952 - blast from the past

Result was one that Sligo will not be happy with the upside is that the evening was so very well supported by soccer fans in the North West.

Sligo Rovers:Richard Brush; Paul Whelan, Gavin Peers, Alan Keane, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Gary McCabe (Dean Marshall 88), Danny Ventre (captain), Richie Ryan (Conor O’Grady 71), Eoin Doyle; Matthew Blinkhorn, Padraig Amond (Mark Doninger 71).

Subs not used:Ciaran Kelly, Mauro Almeida.

Booked:Ryan, Whelan, Peers, Doyle.

Shamrock Rovers:Alan Mannus; Pat Flynn, Dan Murray (captain), Aidan Price, Danny Murphy; Stephen Bradley (Dessie Baker 57 (Paddy Kavanagh 66)), Stephen Rice, James Chambers; Sean O’Connor, Billy Dennehy, Graham Barrett (Ollie Cahill 83).

Subs not used:Robert Hughes, Enda Stevens.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork). 

 

Result of ballot on cost saving measures by Aer Lingus cabin crew

March 6, 2010 Irish News & Sport No comments

Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus cabin crew workers have rejected a cost saving proposal which was negotiated between IMPACT trade union and Aer Lingus management at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in November 2009.
 The ballot was defeated with 36% in favour and 64% against on a 100% turnout.
The union had recommended the approval of the measures to cabin crew. IMPACT had, however, acknowledged that aspects of the proposals would be very difficult for members to accept.
IMPACT said that it the proposals were recommended on the basis that it would minimise job losses, and help sustain the future of the airline.
The union said that the proposals were extremely unpalatable to many members, as they had been tabled less than a year (November 2008) after cabin crew had agreed to substantial cost saving measures, valued by Aer Lingus at €15 million at the time.
IMPACT today acknowledged that the cabin crew branch committee, composed of cabin crew workers, had worked extremely hard to reach an agreement, which had involved lengthy negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission.
On the eve of concluding the negotiations last November, Aer Lingus had released a statement threatening up to 1,100 compulsory redundancies if agreement was not reached; a move which angered many Aer Lingus staff at the time.
As the ballot was being conducted last week, the company briefed selected journalists and issued the same threat again, which IMPACT believes had an extremely negative effect on the ballot outcome.

Eurovision Newsflash: 1993 winner to represent Ireland again

March 6, 2010 Irish News & Sport No comments
Niamh Kavanagh who will again represent Ireland at the 2010 Eurovision song contest, having won the Eurovision back in 1993

Niamh Kavanagh who will again represent Ireland at the 2010 Eurovision song contest, having won the Eurovision back in 1993

 

1993 winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, Niamh Kavanagh, will once again represent Ireland at the 2010 event in Oslo, after winning the national song contest in Ireland last night.

The competition had been shortlisted to five songs and contributions were also proferred from Eurovision legends Dana and Johnny Logan, as to the merits of the song.

Mikey Graham from Boyzone also had an entry in the final five.

The event was hosted by Ryan Tubridy and the Late Late Show on RTE1.

Derry held by Cork Foras in Brandywell

March 6, 2010 Irish News & Sport No comments

Derry City FC

DERRY City will certainly be disappointed having been held at the Brandywell last night by Cork, but the powers that be on Foyleside will have been particularly delighted with the attendance figures.

An attendance of over 3,500 spectators packed into the North-West venue to witness the opening game of the season in the First Division – the highest attendance of the night in the games that were played!

Derry chairman, Philip O’Doherty, while disappointed with the result, pointed to support received by the local community.

“It was a sensational attendance for our opening game and it’s great to see that the footballing public, not only in Derry but throughout the north-west, remain committed to this football club,” he insisted.

“We’ve been to hell and back over the past couple of months but, deep down, we always knew that the local community believed in the club and their support at this game highlights that fact,” he added.

“It’s been a traumatic few months but, thankfully, we avoided going out of existence and it’s important that we remain focused as so much work remains to be done.”

Mr. O’Doherty was delighted to see Airtricity League Director Fran Gavin in attendance:

“I was delighted to see Fran attend the game,” continued Mr. O’Doherty. “He is well aware of the work we have put in since taking over the club and his attendance tells us that Derry City and, indeed, Cork City’s involvement in the Airtricity League continues to be important.”

Cork stunned the Brandywell Faithful when breaking the deadlock three minutes into the second half.

Midfielder, Davin O’Neill latched onto a throw-in on the right and his superb dipping shot evaded the clutches of Derry keeper, Gerard Doherty.

Roared on by their sensational support, the home side restored equality in the 63rd minute when a Ruairi Harkin free was headed home by debutante, Emmet Friars, from close range, and the Brandywell erupted.

While Derry certainly finished the game much the stronger, Cork centre-halves Greg O’Halloran and Dave Rogers exhibited excellent performances when holding out for what was a deserved share of the spoils.

Derry City – 4-4-2 – Doherty; McCallion, Scoltock, McChrystal, Friars; Harkin, Molloy, McEleney (Parkhouse, 52), McClean; Sweeney (Cassidy, 75), Farren.

Cork City – 4-4-2 – McNulty; Turner, O’Halloran, Rogers, Mulcahy; Heffernan, Lordan, O’Neill, Forde; Deasy, Cummins.

Referee – Mr. P. Tuite (Dublin).

Banking on An Post to secure future

March 6, 2010 Donegal News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments

BANKING ON AN POST TO SECURE FUTURE 

It is disappointing the announcement by An Post and BNP Paribas of the closure of Postbank, Cllr Frank McBrearty has said.

Cllr Frank McBrearty Jnr

Cllr Frank McBrearty Jnr

He is the Labour party candidate in the Donegal south west bye-election, when it will be eventually declared. 

“The decision to end the joint venture between An Post and BNP Paribas by the end of this year is a disappointing blow which will result in less competition for the banking sector.  BNB Paribas has clearly taken this decision as a result of being one of the early casualties of the banking crisis.   

“For the 260 people employed by Postbank, this is a very worrying time and I hope that every effort is made to secure employment in alternative and related financial operations in An Post. 

“To this end, I welcome the fact that An Post have said that they hope that customers of An Post will continue to operate a similar range of financial products and services in the future. It is important that An Post diversifies into different services for its customers.  

“I hope to see An Post continue its ambitious plans to provide a range of products to its customers and that this venture with BNP Paribas does not dissuade it from any future plans.”