A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Ireland move up in the pecking order
The Republic of Ireland have edged their way slightly higher in the latest Fifa world rankings, with Giovanni Trapattoni’s side joining Switzerland in joint 18th place.
Of the leading sides, only Spain are unmoved at number one, while Ireland’s other group rivals at the European championships have travelled in opposite directions, with Croatia up two to eight and Italy down three to 12.
England have slipped to seventh. Wales and Scotland are both up, at 41st and 48th respectively, but Northern Ireland are down to 100 their lowest ranking in six years.
Shamrock Rovers and the club’s Heritage Trust will mark today’s 25th anniversary of the club’s last game at Milltown tomorrow with a walk from the site of the old Glenmalure Park to Tallaght Stadium ahead of tomorrow evening’s Premier Division game against Dundalk.
Supporters are due to assemble at the monument marking the location of Rovers' former home at 5pm, at which stage they will undertake the 10-kilometre journey. Further details at shamrockrovers.ie
Ronaldo inspires Real to derby win
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat neighbours Atletico 4-1 to re-establish a four point gap over Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Ronaldo hammered in a trademark free kick from 30 yards to open the scoring after 25 minutes but Falcao drew the home side level with a precise header early in the second half.
But another long-range screamer from Ronaldo restored Real’s advantage before he completed his treble from the spot after Gonzalo Higuain had been tripped by Diego Godin. And the Portuguese superstar set up the fourth, Jose Callejon firing home late on.
The victory sees Jose Mourinho’s side give themselves some breathing space with El Clasico looming on April 21st.
Elsewhere, Valencia continued their recent run of good from with a 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Mestalla.
Tributes flow as Abidal makes recovery after liver transplant
Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is recovering well after undergoing a liver transplant yesterday, club president Sandro Rosell has said.
There has been no official statement from Barcelona on the operation, at the request of Abidal’s family, but Rosell gave a brief update on the situation.
“Both Abidal and his cousin (Gerard, who donated the liver) are progressing well,” Rosell was quoted as saying on his club’s official website.
“We cannot give any more information due to the express wishes of the family.”
The 32-year-old Frenchman’s transplant operation finished late last night, at a similar time to the conclusion of Barca’s Primera Division match with Getafe at Camp Nou.
During the 4-0 win the Barca fans paid their own tribute to Abidal, and coach Pep Guardiola and his players did likewise following the final whistle.
Bayern Munich defender Breno has been charged with arson after a months-long investigation revealed he had started the fire that burned down his rented Munich villa last year.
Gulacsi recalled from Hull to understudy Jones in goal
Liverpool have responded to their goalkeeping crisis for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Everton by recalling Peter Gulacsi from a season-long loan spell at Hull City.
The 21-year-old Hungarian has never made a first-team appearance for Liverpool and has not played for Nick Barmby’s side since suffering a knee injury at Burnley on New Year’s Eve.
He will be on the bench for Liverpool at Wembley, however, after a spate of red cards left Kenny Dalglish with only third choice Brad Jones of his senior goalkeepers available for the semi-final.
Doni’s hopes of replacing José Reina in the Merseyside derby were ruined when he received a straight red card for a professional foul on Junior Hoilett during Tuesday’s 3-2 win at Blackburn Rovers. Reina serves the final leg of a three-match suspension on Saturday for aiming a head-butt at Newcastle United’s James Perch.
Meanwhile, Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell’s hopes of playing at Euro 2012 look over after suffering a fresh hamstring injury in training.
O'Dea hopes to impress enough to win long-term deal
Republic of Ireland defender Darren O’Dea has expressed the hope that he can make his loan move from Celtic to Leeds United permanent over the summer despite the English club’s likely failure to make the Championship play-offs.
The Dubliner has been a regular in the United defence over the course of this season and is hoping to impress new manager Neil Warnock sufficiently by the end of the campaign to have earned a long-term deal.
“The manager’s already started planning for next season so everybody has everything to play for,” he says. “There might not be much for us there in terms of the league, but our careers and futures at this club are there to play for.
“I hope I can stay.”
