Since I last had a proper attempt at blogging, lots of things have changed. Not least my own personal circumstances. A couple of house moves, a naked encounter with a burglar (don't ask!), and an unrelated graduate job, I'm finally working towards the dream - being a Sports Journalist.
As a result, you'll hopefully be glad to hear that this sports blog will be updated as regularly as possible. For my own personal development, I'd appreciate any feedback at any point, good or bad. Be it on the blog itself, on Facebook (or Twitter - if I can learn how to use it), or simply over a few pints, I'd love to hear what you think. If you think certain aspects of the blog are horrible, tell me - I need to know. Without valuable criticism, I'll never learn. On the flip side, if you think something's excellent, tell me - I need to keep doing it!
Even better, if you haven't already done so, why not add yourself as a follower. I'm aiming to hit the 20 mark by the end of the year.
Although there's been a lot of football material recently, this is not a football blog. I'll be showcasing a little bit of everything really. Cricket, snooker, darts, athletics, rugby union, tennis, and I'll probably throw a bit of random sporting action in here, particularly with London 2012 coming up. Again, suggestions are welcome if there's any particular sport or sporting event you'd like to see featured here.
Personally, I'm hugely excited by the Ashes, which is just over a week away. I'll be trying to provide regular updates, and maybe even analyse a few days play. Football will always remain a passion of mine and that will probably show quite a bit. Christmas darts at the PDC World Championship, the conclusion to the Race to Dubai, and tennis' season finale at the O2 arena are all on the horizon.
So in between practising my shorthand, doing my first journalism exam and paying the rent, there's plenty to be excited about as 2010 rolls to a fascinating close.
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Friday, 19 November 2010
Monday, 16 March 2009
Make 2009 a green year.
Ireland fans may be beginning to wonder if 2009 is going to be a monumental year. On the eve of Saint Patrick's Day, things are looking incredibly rosy for the Emerald Isle. David Gillick's fall in his 400m heats at the European Athletics Championships was a big blow for Ireland's attempts at a golden haul. A blow cushioned, however, by Derval O'Rourke's 60m Hurdles bronze medal and Mary Cullen's gutsy front-running, the latter also taking bronze in the 3000m. Furthermore, the relatively unknown name of Ciara Mageean is being tipped as the next Sonia O'Sullivan; the 17 year old producing numerous notable runs over the country and on track.
In the world of golf, the future is even brighter. Rory McIlroy is rightly receiving high praise across the globe, thanks to a number of stirring performances from the Holywood teenager. Ernie Els and Tiger Woods, for example, think that McIlroy has what it takes to be the next world number one after Woods; no higher praise than from the man himself. Throw into the equation Padraig Harrington's form and the Northern Irish trio of Michael Hoey, Gareth Maybin and Graeme McDowell, and Ireland can be a force for years to come.
Next month's Snooker World Championships has another three Northern Irishmen (Mark Allen, Joe Swail and Gerard Greene) in the main draw. This year's tournament may come a little too soon for the trio, but of the three, Allen seems the most likley to regularly challenge for ranking titles. The current world number 16 might just surprise a few people next month. Swail, on the other hand, may dispute that following his recent run to the final in last month's Welsh Open.
The footballers face a vital period at the end of this month. A victory over Bulgaria would put the Irish in a strong position to finish in the top two. Anything other than defeat against the Italians a few days later in Bari is likely to send the travelling thousands into dreamland. So, you'd agree that 2009 could be a productive year for Ireland? And we haven't even mentioned the rugby yet.
On Saturday evening, Ireland maintained their hopes of a first Grand Slam since 19-God-knows-when with a hard fought victory over a powerful and disciplined Scotland at Murrayfield. The first half of this RBS Six Nations clash was by no means classic, but the Irish class shone through in the second half, lead by the impressive Peter Stringer and the once-again reliable boot of Ronan O'Gara.
One mustn't forget the contributions of Brian O'Driscoll again. The Irish captain wasn't as imperious as he has been in a few previous games, but again underlined his importance to the Grand Slam cause; in particular a bruising challenge on Scotland's Phil Godman. The fly-half was bundled into touch metres away from the try-line as the first half appeared as though it would end disastrously for the Irish. Had that score have materialised, Ireland may well have struggled to recover.
They got the result, and now go to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday evening to face Wales. Any defeat of less than 13 points will seal the Six Nations crown. Any win will seal the Grand Slam that has eluded the Irish for so long. Anything else doesn't bear thinking about. So as you stare into your Saint Patrick's Day pint, whether you're Irish or not, you have to wonder what the rest of the year and, indeed, the week will have in store.
In the world of golf, the future is even brighter. Rory McIlroy is rightly receiving high praise across the globe, thanks to a number of stirring performances from the Holywood teenager. Ernie Els and Tiger Woods, for example, think that McIlroy has what it takes to be the next world number one after Woods; no higher praise than from the man himself. Throw into the equation Padraig Harrington's form and the Northern Irish trio of Michael Hoey, Gareth Maybin and Graeme McDowell, and Ireland can be a force for years to come.
Next month's Snooker World Championships has another three Northern Irishmen (Mark Allen, Joe Swail and Gerard Greene) in the main draw. This year's tournament may come a little too soon for the trio, but of the three, Allen seems the most likley to regularly challenge for ranking titles. The current world number 16 might just surprise a few people next month. Swail, on the other hand, may dispute that following his recent run to the final in last month's Welsh Open.
The footballers face a vital period at the end of this month. A victory over Bulgaria would put the Irish in a strong position to finish in the top two. Anything other than defeat against the Italians a few days later in Bari is likely to send the travelling thousands into dreamland. So, you'd agree that 2009 could be a productive year for Ireland? And we haven't even mentioned the rugby yet.
On Saturday evening, Ireland maintained their hopes of a first Grand Slam since 19-God-knows-when with a hard fought victory over a powerful and disciplined Scotland at Murrayfield. The first half of this RBS Six Nations clash was by no means classic, but the Irish class shone through in the second half, lead by the impressive Peter Stringer and the once-again reliable boot of Ronan O'Gara.
One mustn't forget the contributions of Brian O'Driscoll again. The Irish captain wasn't as imperious as he has been in a few previous games, but again underlined his importance to the Grand Slam cause; in particular a bruising challenge on Scotland's Phil Godman. The fly-half was bundled into touch metres away from the try-line as the first half appeared as though it would end disastrously for the Irish. Had that score have materialised, Ireland may well have struggled to recover.
They got the result, and now go to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday evening to face Wales. Any defeat of less than 13 points will seal the Six Nations crown. Any win will seal the Grand Slam that has eluded the Irish for so long. Anything else doesn't bear thinking about. So as you stare into your Saint Patrick's Day pint, whether you're Irish or not, you have to wonder what the rest of the year and, indeed, the week will have in store.
Monday, 9 February 2009
Welcome to the sport, man.
Hello all, and welcome to my blog. First thing's first, don't take this too serious - leave that to me! This blog aims to take in a number of issues, but will, in effect, be a sports blog. There may be other musings appearing here at times, and for those of you who feel inclined to ignore anything non-sporting, please do so.
Obviously (or perhaps not), football shall be the main underlying theme in this blog. If you really can't stand overpaid prima donnas (tongue firmly in cheek), fear not, as I will also be offering insight into sports such as cricket, rugby, snooker, athletics, tennis, golf, boxing and darts. This list is not exhaustive, and if there's a sporting story worth mentioning, I will try to oblige.
Of course, not all of you will agree with what I have to say. If this is the case, please let me know. I welcome any sort of criticism, or maybe your thoughts on a particular issue. Especially throughout my "first tentative steps into journalism", I would be deeply grateful for any sort of feedback.
As I become more used to this, I hope to add new features to the blog. Again, all suggestions are welcome. So, please sit back, relax, and try to enjoy this blog. Most importantly of all, however, if you do happen to enjoy this, please come back. If you can handle it...
Obviously (or perhaps not), football shall be the main underlying theme in this blog. If you really can't stand overpaid prima donnas (tongue firmly in cheek), fear not, as I will also be offering insight into sports such as cricket, rugby, snooker, athletics, tennis, golf, boxing and darts. This list is not exhaustive, and if there's a sporting story worth mentioning, I will try to oblige.
Of course, not all of you will agree with what I have to say. If this is the case, please let me know. I welcome any sort of criticism, or maybe your thoughts on a particular issue. Especially throughout my "first tentative steps into journalism", I would be deeply grateful for any sort of feedback.
As I become more used to this, I hope to add new features to the blog. Again, all suggestions are welcome. So, please sit back, relax, and try to enjoy this blog. Most importantly of all, however, if you do happen to enjoy this, please come back. If you can handle it...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)