A round-up of today's other sports stories in brief
NFL and players get ready for talks
NFL:A federal judge has ordered the National Football League and its players to begin mediation under the auspices of a Minnesota court this week in a bid to resolve a dispute that threatens Americas most popular sport.
Chief Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan met representatives of the players yesterday and will meet with the NFL today, with formal mediation to begin tomorrow, Judge Susan Richard Nelson said in an order. “Any communications conveyed between the parties in this process, shall not be admitted or used against any party in any other proceeding or forum, for any purpose,” she wrote.
The comment appeared to address concerns by the players that new talks would result in the NFL Players Association being considered a union again.
The process also will not have the effect of a stay on litigation for a preliminary injunction now before the court, according to Nelson.
IAAF approve new gender rules
ATHLETICS:The IAAF yesterday approved the adoption of new rules and regulations governing the eligibility of females with hyperandrogenism to take part in women's competition. They will come into force for all international competitions on May 1st.
A female with hyperandrogenism who is recognised as a female in law will be eligible to compete in women’s competition in athletics provided that she has androgen levels below the male range (measured by reference to testosterone levels in serum) or, if she has androgen levels within the male range she also has an androgen resistance which means that she derives no competitive advantage from such levels.
The rules aim to avoid a repeat of the gender row which engulfed 800 metre runner Caster Semenya. The South African won the World Championships at Berlin in 2009 and was subsequently sidelined from running as the IAAF looked into her high levels of testosterone but has since returned to competition.
Khan accuses broadcasters
BOXING:Amir Khan has accused the leading British broadcasters of a lack of support ahead of Saturday's WBA light-welterweight title defence against Paul McCloskey.
Saturday’s fight was originally scheduled to be shown on Sky Box Office, but will now be broadcast only by minor pay-per-view channel Primetime. “I really thought coming back home now after the last 15 months where I haven’t fought in England I’d have someone supporting it.”
Irish teams left to rue missed chances
SOCCER:The Irish Under-16 'A' team were left to rue a glut of missed chances as they lost to a solitary goal against Belgium at Turner's Cross yesterday evening.
Kevin O’Connor scuffed his close-range shot on 13 minutes with the goal at his mercy before Sam Byrne saw his effort rebound off the post after he rounded Lucas Pirard in the Belgium goal. Belgium punished Ireland two minutes later as David Cino’s angled shot slipped under goalkeeper Eric Grimes.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Under-16 ‘B’ squad squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Belgium B.
Monaghan United first-teamer Kevin Loughran volleyed Ireland ahead two minutes into the second half before Darragh Walsh doubled the lead eight minutes later.
However, Belgium hit back twice to grab a share.
IRELAND U-16 'A':Grimes (Ringmahon); Mullaney (Portlaoise), McFadden (Swilly), D O'Reilly (Cherry Orchard), Lewis (Aston Villa); Nsay (Cherry Orchard), O Connor (Curracloe Utd), O'Neil (Kingdom Boys); McGlade (Shelbourne), Byrne (St Joseph's), Grealish (Aston Villa). Subs: Coyne (Cherry Orchard) for Lewis, Hayes (St Joseph's) for O'Neil, Mulroney (Crumlin United) for Nsay, Percil (Tottenham) for Grealish (58 mins), Leddy (Cavan) for O'Connor, R O'Reilly (Ballyjamesduff) for D O'Reilly.
IRELAND U-16 'B':Condell (Crumlin); Long (Cherry Orchard), McMahon (Monaghan), Casey (Avenue Utd), Corcoran (Carrigaline); McCarthy (Skibbbereen), Murphy (Rockmount), McGrath (Nenagh); Loughran (Monaghan), Walsh (Shelbourne), McDonald (St Kevin's). Subs: O'Driscoll (Skibbbereen) for McCarthy, Adam Wixted (Stella Maris) for Loughran, Lucy (Lakewood) for Murphy, Whittle (De la Salle) for Long, O'Connor (De La Salle) for McDonald, Mahoney (Crumlin United) for Corcoran.
Simmons grabs March award
PHILIPS MANAGER OF THE MONTH:Phil Simmons, head coach to the Irish cricket team, has been named as manager of the month for March.
On March 2nd the Irish Cricket team defeated England by three wickets in their World Cup clash in Bangalore, India. This was the first time that our national team had beaten England was the occasion was also marked by Kevin O’Brien achieving the fastest ever century in World Cup history. In spite of this historic victory and a subsequent win over Holland, the team just failed to advance from the group stages.
Paralympics announce managers
PARAYLMPICS:Paralympics Ireland yesterday announced the first group of team managers who will be involved with the Irish Paralympic team which will compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Former Irish Olympian James Nolan from Offaly is named as the athletics team manager while Paul Cassin from Coolock, Dublin is appointed as the team manager to the football seven-a-side.
Denis Toomey from Blackrock, Cork, will again hold the position of cycling team manager, Dave Malone from Ballinteer, Dublin and three-time Paralympic medallist, is named as swimming team manager.
Limerick’s Joe Cunningham will be in charge of Ireland’s first ever rowing team at the event. The newly-appointed team managers recently put their athletes through their paces at the 2012 Training Camp in Limerick.
