SPORTS DIGEST: RugbyGloucester flanker Andy Hazell was banned for 14 weeks after pleading guilty to punching and kneeing an opponent in an Amlin Challenge Cup match, the competition's governing body said yesterday.
Hazell was dismissed 15 minutes into the second half of the match against the French side on October 11th after striking Mont de Marsan prop Sebastien Ormaechea.
The flanker apologised afterwards but said at the time there had been three attempts to make contact with his eyes prior to his red card.
The English Premiership club provided photographic evidence of marks around Hazell's eyes, but no citing complaints were subsequently made to ERC by match commissioner John West, who could not find sufficient video evidence of foul play.
In relation to yesterday's hearing the ERC said in a statement: "The judicial officer determined that Hazell had intentionally struck Ormaechea with both the fist and the knee."
Hazell's ban will run until January 21st. Both the ERC and Hazell can appeal against the decision.
O’Brien moves to Leicestershire
CricketIreland international Niall O'Brien will join Leicestershire for the start of next season, his former club Northamptonshire have confirmed.
The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, Northants’ player of the season in 2008, moves on after five years at Wantage Road.
Head coach David Ripley said: “It’s sad to see Niall leave the club as he has been a big part of the changing room since he arrived from Kent.
“He has found himself out of the side at times this season through form, fitness and international commitments, meaning the club couldn’t offer him the role he wants.
“He’s now found some personal security in Leicestershire’s offer of a three-year deal and we wish him well for his future.”
A Chennai-basedmedia corporation has bagged the Hyderabad franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament for an annual fee of €12.2million, the Indian cricket board said yesterday. The Sun TV Network made a bid significantly higher than the second highest offer of €9.9 million.
Emanuel Steward dies aged 68
BoxingEmanuel Steward, one of the most successful boxing trainers of all-time and mainstay behind the legendary Kronk Gym in Detroit, has died at the age of 68, his sister Diane Steward-Jones has confirmed.
Steward had recently undergone surgery for a stomach illness and had been forced to relinquish his role as chief trainer for Wladimir Klitschko’s upcoming world heavyweight title fight against Mariusz Wach.
Steward-Jones told the Detroit Free Press newspaper: “He has passed – he’s gone home. He was in no pain, and we sang to him, as well as did the doctors present. He had loved ones with him. He gave it his all, but he’s been called away now.”
Steward trained or was involved in the careers of more than 40 world champions, but first found fame with legendary Detroit fighter Thomas Hearns in the 1980s.
In later years, Steward went on to help shape the careers of Naseem Hamed and Lennox Lewis among others. Steward signed Ireland’s Andy Lee a year after the 2004 Athens Olympics and led him to 28 victories from 30 outings.
Sandoval hits record-tying three home runs for Giants
BaseballPablo Sandoval (aka "Kung Fu Panda") blasted a record-tying three home runs to power the San Francisco Giants to a surprising 8-3 win over the Detroit Tigers and ace Justin Verlander in the opening game of the World Series on Wednesday.
Sandoval became just the fourth player to hit three homers in a World Series game with his solo shot in the first inning and a two-run blast in the third off Verlander, and a roundtripper in the fifth off reliever Al Alburquerque.
The Venezuelan joined Babe Ruth (1926, 1928), Reggie Jackson (1977) and Albert Pujols (2011) in accomplishing the feat.
Verlander had yielded only two runs in more than 24 innings in three play-off wins this post-season but on Wednesday, he gave up five runs on six hits in four innings. “Obviously the big guy (Sandoval) had one of those unbelievable nights that happens once in a while in a World Series,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said.
The thrilling power display by Sandoval had the ATT Park crowd waving their orange rally rags in a frenzy.
Pembroke host best-placed North Kildare
Women's HockeyThere's a light programme of matches in the Leinster First Division this weekend with just four teams, all from the bottom half of the table, in action, Pembroke Wanderers hosting North Kildare at Serpentine Avenue and Glenanne at home to Corinthian in Tallaght.
North Kildare are the best placed, having picked up wins against Glenanne and Trinity, before narrowly losing to Hermes last weekend. Pembroke are still looking for their first win, while Glenanne are seeking their first point.
Leinster League: Division One: Tomorrow– Pembroke Wanderers v North Kildare, Serpentine Avenue, 12.30; Glenanne v Corinthian, St Mark's, 1pm.
Irish Hockey Trophy: First round: Tomorrow– Church of Ireland v Banbridge, Garryduff, 2.30; Genesis v Wexford, Belfield, 2.30; Our Lady's v Naas, Terenure, 2.30.
– MARY HANNIGAN
