Darragh O’Donoghue previews the NBA Playoffs 2009 for Yellow Roman Candles.
Western Conference
The stronger of the two conferences in the last few years, the West’s iron grip on the NBA title has slipped in recent years, with first the Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and then last year’s Boston Celtics denting their decade-long dominance. Read the rest of this entry »
In a break from bickering politicians Darragh O’Donoghue takes a look at the evolution of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Mixed Martial Arts in the last few years as the sport continues its growth in the US and throughout the world.
Of all the titanic battles which have taken place in MMA, the ongoing fight for respect and acceptance among the public has been the toughest. It could finally be nearing an end though, as MMA blossoms from its beginnings as a cult freakshow to its current status as a legitimate and well-respected sport. As it stands, professional events are being hosted in front of enthusiastic crowds all over the world, television networks are beaming events into living rooms free of charge, and fighters are being recognised by mainstream journalists as the dedicated athletes they are. Read the rest of this entry »
Darragh O’Donoghue looks ahead to Ireland’s visit to Murrayfield this Saturday in the Six Nations Championship.
As stage four of Ireland’s Grand Slam plan approaches in Murrayfield on Saturday, coach Declan Kidney has shuffled his side around, making four changes. While Rory Best in for Flannery at hooker is almost a like for like and most expected D’arcy and Leamy to get some game time sooner or later, there is another reason why I have some uneasy feelings as the side prepare to take on Scotland. Read the rest of this entry »
Darragh O’Donoghue previews Wednesday’s Champions League action
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
Alex Ferguson’s jibe that Real Madrid are ‘too slow’ to win this season’s Champions League will no doubt be revered as another cunning ‘mind game’, and whatever happens here, it will be spun as another touch of genius from the Scot. If Madrid win, it will be claimed that he stoked them up with the comment and dealt another blow to Liverpool’s fragile confidence, but if his title rivals dispatch Madrid, it was yet another astute observation. Read the rest of this entry »
Following the UFC’s successful debut in Dublin last month, Darragh O’Donoghue previews UFC 95, which takes place in London on Saturday.
Ever since Puerto Rico hosted UFC 8 way back in 1996, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has tried to widen its appeal beyond the shores of its native USA. After holding a number of events in noted MMA strongholds Brazil and Japan, London hosted its first event, UFC 38, back in 2002. This weekend will see the 95th event, and the 7th in England, with the franchise also hosting nights of fistic combat in Belfast, Montreal and our own Dublin city in the recent past.
As the flagship promoter for one of the fastest growing sports in the world, parent company Zuffa’s efforts to spread the appeal of their product is understandable and also of great encouragement for fans of the sport. With another event set for Cologne in June, it looks as though the plan is bearing fruit. Although the cards tend to be slightly weaker than those held in the US, they have still thrown up some great bouts.
Here’s the preview of Saturday’s action: Read the rest of this entry »
The second Test between a buoyant West Indian team and a desperate England got under way at Antigua on Friday following an opening match in Kingston that yielded a shock result which few would have predicted. Darragh O’Donoghue offers his analysis of the opening match and predictions for the team’s future.
Wake-up Call
All the talk leading up to this series was of an English side tuning up for the Ashes by emphatically dismissing their beleaguered hosts, who were, in the words of former captain Michael Vaughan, ‘there for the taking’. An innings defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow for a side disrupted and demoralised by the removal of Peter Moores and demotion of key man Kevin Pietersen in the lead-up. Despite these distractions, the newly-appointed Andrew Stauss and his shell-shocked team can have no excuses for one of the more pitiful collapses in recent times, as they threatened to set a new low for Test match ineptitude before eventually crumbling to 51 all out. Read the rest of this entry »
Yellow Roman Candle’s favourite sports writer Darragh O’Donoghue returns with a look back on a weekend of rugby the many still nursing their hangovers will never forget.
After the opening round of games, this season’s 6 Nations already looks like a two horse race, and the good news for Irish fans is that we are in with a great chance of a Championship! Beating France for the first time in about 178 years was a huge result for this Irish team, and the best thing about it was that we did it with Ronan O’Gara playing well below his best.
Exorcising French Demons
The confidence the team will take from this result should not be underestimated, and could give them the impetus they need to finally seal a 6 Nations win. Under Eddie O’Sullivan, the team were bereft of belief, and looked completely lost. The forwards were undisciplined and the backs were about as sharp as a plastic spoon. What Kidney has done is restore the belief, and while he should not be hailed as some kind of sporting Napoleon just yet, the signs are encouraging. Read the rest of this entry »
In the first of our sporting features Yellow Roman Candles contributor Darragh O’Donoghue looks at the week that was in the Premiership.
After another telling weekend of Premiership action, I think we can begin to draw some conclusions.
Chelsea can now join Arsenal and the resurgent Aston Villa in the race for 3rd place (and the final automatic Champions League spot, under the new rules), and if Manchester United can beat Liverpool on March 14th, the race for the title will be as good as over.
Pool Problems
The match of the weekend was undoubtedly Liverpool’s crucial 3-2 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park, and while some may view it as vindication for Benitez’ sometimes contrary selection policy, the reality may be slightly more sobering for ‘Pool fans. Rafa’s justifications have been overlooked by many in the clamour to condemn the poor Spaniard, but his admission that Torres, Kuyt and Alonso were all ‘very tired’ has been backed up by statements by the players themselves. Read the rest of this entry »
