Harrington Wins, Ready for Open

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Irish Voice Sport

Harrington Wins, Ready for Open

July 19, 2007

By Cathal Dervan

PADRAIG Harrington had to fight tough to win the Irish PGA title at the European Club on Saturday when Headfort pro Brendan McGovern took him to a play-off before losing at the 71st hole. As he prepares for the British Open at Carnoustie this week, Harrington knows he must improve his concentration after throwing away a two shot lead on the final hole in Wicklow last weekend.

“I was two ahead and thought nothing was going wrong,” said Harrington. “I was distracted by something on the tee but I went ahead anyway and hit a bad tee shot and I have to watch those mistakes. It really was a time to stand off it and I didn’t.

“That said, there is nothing like finishing first and there is nothing like competing to win. There is a different kind of stress in that.

“Carnoustie is going to be similar to the European Club, though a little longer. We are going to be asked to hit our driver a little bit more over there. The preparation was good. I got to judge how far the ball is going in these conditions. I am sure it is going to be similar temperature-wise and wind-wise next week, so I think it has been excellent build-up.”

Seven Irishmen will play in this week’s British Open after David Higgins and Justin Kehoe won through at final qualifying and join Harrington, Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and amateur sensation Rory McIlroy in one of the biggest Irish representations at an open in some years.

“I can’t remember how many times I have tried to qualify for the British Open, maybe seven or eight times, but I am just over the moon to be going to Carnoustie,” said Higgins. “It’s a dream come true having grown up on the links course at Waterville. It gives me a good chance now as I’m a good links player and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Captain Dricco

BRIAN O’Driscoll has been re-appointed Leinster captain for the third consecutive year, with Leo Cullen and Chris Whitaker named as vice captains.

“I am honored to have been asked to lead Leinster over the coming season,” O’Driscoll said.

“Leinster is my home province and I believe that there’s an enormous amount of excitement around the club at the moment. With the impending return to the RDS coupled with some new signings who will no doubt add great competition for positions right across the panel.”

Leinster Rugby have also announced the appointment of former captain Kurt McQuilkin as defense coach for the coming season.

Dunne’s Defense

BERNARD Dunne’s eagerly awaited European super-bantamweight title defense against Spain’s Kiko Martinez has been confirmed for Saturday, August 25 at the Point in Dublin.

Ricky Hatton’s promoter Dennis Hobson and the Belfast-based Team Magee have secured the promotional rights to the fight and hope to have Belfast’s Brian Magee challenge Tony Oakley for the British light-heavyweight title on the undercard.

Dunne’s manager Brian Peters said, “It’s a fight that if Bernard wins will just confirm him as the best super-bantamweight in Europe and then he can move on from this level.”

Keane Not

Worried

ROY Keane has told Sunderland fans that he doesn’t care about a player’s background or former clubs after some supporters criticized the decision to buy one time Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra from Cardiff.

“I don’t care if they are from Newcastle or New Zealand, if I think they can come in and do a good job for the club, I will sign them. Michael’s not afraid of a challenge. He went on loan to Forest and Barnsley and scored goals,” Keane said.

“It can’t have been an easy decision to move to Cardiff, but he took a chance it worked out. I’m delighted Michael’s here. As soon as I spoke to him, he was enthusiastic about coming to this football club.

“Michael had a very good season last year, he’s a natural goal scorer and he will be a good addition to our squad. We have got other good strikers here, Michael knows that and he knows he has a challenge.

“I’m relatively happy with the strikers in the squad. We have got good options and over the season, we will need that. We have Stern John, Anthony Stokes, Daryl Murphy, Dave Connolly and Stephen Elliott.

“Michael Chopra is slightly different. He’s more of a fox in the box. He will push the other players. We have all got to raise the bar.”

Manchester United midfielder Kieron Richardson is also expected to join Sunderland ahead of their Irish tour next week, while Keane has been linked with a move for former Celtic teammate Bobo Balde.

Keane Goal

ROBBIE Keane scored the only goal as Spurs beat St. Patrick’s Athletic in a friendly in Richmond Park on Thursday night.

“It was great to come back to Dublin and play a game. The last time I was here for a club match was with Leeds a long time ago and this was a good test for the lads,” said Keane.

“It was only our second pre-season game and we’ve only been back in pre-season training for 10 days, whereas St. Pat’s are halfway through their season. That made for a real test for us and it was an enjoyable game. St. Pat’s played well, played some good football and I can see why they are at the top of the eircom League.

“Of course, it’s always nice to score, but the most important thing is the fitness of the players. I played 90 minutes again after doing the same at Stevenage and with every game I feel better. It’s gone well so far, I feel refreshed and I can’t wait for the start of the season.”

Celtic for Ireland

CELTIC are on their way to Ireland for two friendlies just after they kick off their defense of the Scottish league title next month.

Celtic will take on Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Monday, August 6 before traveling south to meet Galway United at Terryland Park two days later, the final fixtures in a 10-game friendly campaign for Gordon Strachan’s side.

The Scottish champions kick off their Scottish Premier League season against Kilmarnock on Sunday, August 5, but it is expected that a decent strength squad will be on show for the two games in the west of Ireland.

Finn Harps manager Paul Hegarty told the club’s official website, “It’s great to see Celtic coming to Ireland. Donegal is full of Celtic fans and it will be a great occasion for the club and great for Donegal.”

Irish defender Darren O’Dea will miss the Hoops’ trip to the U.S. this week after aggravating an old hamstring injury, while Thomas Gravesen and Jiri Jarosik have again stated that they are likely to stay and fight for their places at Celtic.

Given Happy

SHAY Given has just celebrated a decade at Newcastle United and admitted he would be happy to see out his career with the Tyneside club.

“I have got four years left on my contract and I will definitely be here for them and hopefully for a few more beyond that,” he said.

“But we will have to see how my body holds up before I start thinking about another 10. When I signed, I knew I was coming to a huge football club.

“It’s a special place to play football, what with the fans and the stadium, and hopefully we will be able to win something while I’m here because you can just imagine what the place would be like.”

Soccer Shorts

THE Football Associa-tion of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed that Irish supporters will receive an increased total of 6000 tickets for the September 8 Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovakia, and they are currently in ongoing negotiations with the Czech FA in an endeavor to secure additional tickets to meet the huge demand from Irish fans for the European Championship qualifying fixture against the Czech Republic on September 12 . . .

SHAMROCK Rovers will play old rivals Bohemians in the semifinals of the eircom League Cup with Derry up against UCD in the second semi . . .

ST. Patrick’s Athletic have completed the signings of former Blackburn Rovers forward Keith Barker and Czech midfielder Michal Macek . . .

ONE time Ireland international Owen Coyle has agreed a new contract as manager of Scottish League First Division side St. Johnstone . . .

BOHEMIANS manager Sean Connor is interested in signing Birmingham City pair Neil Kilkenny and Sam Oji on loan . . .

FINN Harps manager Paul Hegarty has signed former Derry City defender Paddy McLaughlin . . .

DUBLIN-born defender Graham Coughlan has signed for Rotherham United after a trial at Leeds . . .

SHAMROCK Rovers striker Tadhg Purcell has signed a new long-term contract with the club . . .

IPSWICH Town have turned down an offer from Hull City for Irish striker Alan Lee.

GAA Shorts

LAOIS will have to face Derry in the next round of the All-Ireland qualifiers after their defeat to Dublin in the Leinster final on Sunday. Meath will play Galway, Cork meet Louth and Monaghan play Donegal in the other games . . .

MICK O’Dwyer was back in the stands after his recent health scare as Wicklow booked their place in the Tommy Murphy Cup final with a comprehensive 2-15 to 0-14 win over Waterford in Aughrim on Saturday . . .

CORK’S Noel O’Leary will miss the All-Ireland qualifier against Louth after he picked up a four week suspension arising from an incident in the Munster final defeat to Kerry . . .

THE draw for the All-Ireland hurling semifinals will see Kilkenny or Galway face Tipperary or Wexford, with Clare or Limerick meeting Cork or Waterford.

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