Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NEWBURY HEADACHE
Super Saturday could be moved to beat the weather
STORM DARCY has given Newbury bosses “some headaches” — with this weekend’s Betfair Super Saturday card set to be frozen out.
But there is a “huge will” to stage the card, which features Altior’s bid to win the Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Chase for the fourth time, in its entirety if — as expected — it falls to an inspection at 8.30am tomorrow.
“I wish we could race on Saturday and have a great day, but the weather is giving us some headaches at the moment,” admitted Newbury’s clerk of the course Keith Ottesen.
Newbury is now in discussions with the Betfair, the British Horseracing Authority, ITV and the Levy Board.
“All parties are very keen to run these races so it’s still TBC, but we’re working away,” added Ottesen.
“We’re edging closer to a contingency. There’s a huge will that we can all pull together, collaborate and not have to split it up. That’s the point — to keep it together. It’s Betfair Super Saturday. It might just not be a Saturday.”
■ YORKHILL, Willie Mullins’ dual Cheltenham Festival hero who found a new lease of life for Sandy Thomson, has been retired, the Scottish Borders trainer revealed last night.
Thomson, who saddled the 11-year-old to a 66-1 win in Newcastle’s Rehearsal Chase in November said: “The victory gave us huge satisfaction, because no-one thought we could do it.”
GOOD OPPORTUNITY
THE Mouse Morristrained Whatsnotoknow should be tough to beat in the Templemore Beginners Chase, if today’s meeting in Thurles survives an inspection called due to the expectation of frost and snow.
The six-year-old won his maiden hurdle at this track a year ago, before taking his chance in the Supreme Novices won by Shishkin in Cheltenham where he was beaten after being hampered at the second last.
The Mahler gelding made his chasing bow at Punchestown in November but dropped away after a mistake five from home.
But he stepped-up on that effort significantly at this venue two weeks later, when finishing runner-up to Franco De Port, who has gone on to win a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas and, last weekend, came through to finish second to star stable-companion Energumene in the Arkle at Leopardstown.
Whatsnotoknow reverted to hurdling here last time – racing off 118 he again filled the runner-up berth, beaten by Blanketontheground.
He looks capable of getting off the mark over fences and has been found a good opportunity here, against Exit Poll,and the Harrie.
JOHNNY SEXTON’S voice remains calm and steady but he admits the events of the previous 24 hours have made him angry. Warned by the IRFU communications officer that yesterday’s remote press conference with the Ireland skipper would be cut short if dominated by questions about concussion,
Sexton nevertheless spoke very well on the subject.
The day before, his former French neurologist Dr Jean-francois Chermann had made public his concern for Sexton, who he claimed had suffered 30 concussions.
A second French neurologist, as well as France hooker Julien Marchand, were also quoted, throwing the spotlight on Sexton’s health after he suffered a 69th minute head injury in Ireland’s opening Six Nations loss to Wales.
Unable to train yesterday as he continues to follow return to play protocols ahead of France’s visit to Dublin on Sunday, the 35-year-old revealed that the reports had upset his wife and mother.
Dr Chermann rowed back yesterday with a clarification and apologised to Sexton.
“I should never have cited this figure without any explanation and I regret the wrong I have done to the player who was my patient and who I respect more than anyone,” he said.
But the out-half couldn’t understand how the man who stood him down from playing for three months in 2014 would break patient and doctor confidentiality.
“I just can’t get over the fact someone thought it was appropriate to say things that weren’t even accurate,” said Sexton. “That’s the most hurtful thing.” Still, a very large TV audience watched as Sexton took time to get to his feet before leaving the field after his head accidentally hit Justin Tipuric’s knee on Sunday.
So how can he assure people he is OK to play again seven days later?
“Well, I do all the tests and if I don’t get through them I won’t play but if I do get through them then I will play,” Sexton said.
“It will all depend on how I do and how I feel. That gives me confidence and that will give the people close to me confidence
that I’m OK. I’m a dad of three and a husband and I’m not going to go and be stupid. I’m not going to risk anything and no one in this environment will risk.
“I’ve had the talk with the doctors and the coaches and they’re, ‘Just do the right thing’ – if you’re right, you’re right, if you’re not right you’re not.
“That’s how it’s always been. I’ve never felt any pressure to play after a knock on the head.
“It was a good blow and the fact that the docs were out so quick is a sign of how good they are. They don’t let you get up too quickly and all those things that can sometimes make it look even worse as you’re lying there but they’re telling you not to move.
“We’ll see how I go over the next 48 hours.”
He knows that all of this is happening against a backdrop of former rugby players including Steve Thompson and Alix Popham joining a class-action lawsuit against World Rugby, England’s Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union, which alleges a failure to protect them from the risks caused by concussions.
“Yeah, it’s very hard for me because I don’t want to go against those guys,” Sexton admitted. “The times, the way we’re looked after now, is very different. I feel for the guys, I really do, the guys that are struggling now.
“I feel good. The reports, I don’t want to go back to it, but they were so inaccurate it just makes me angry.”
NICK KYRGIOS staged an “insane” comeback at the Australian Open and admitted: “Honestly, I don’t know how I did that”.
The Australian finally played as well as he talks to win a fiveset thriller against Frenchman Ugo Humbert amid crazy scenes in Melbourne.
The World No.47 has been involved in a running feud with Novak Djokovic in the build-up to the first Grand Slam of the year.
But when he faced two match points against the No.29 seed in the fourth set, another anticlimactic failure on the big stage beckoned. But cheered on by a restricted but raucous Davis Cup-style crowd in his favourite John back 6-4 showdown Dominic “It and Cain to was triumph set Thiem. Arena, a up with crazy a Kyrgios 5-7 third No.3 one,” 6-4 3-6 fought round seed said 7-6 Kyrgios. lot that of one matches “I has have been and been a part of a definitely the most one of memorable ones. Honestly I don’t know how I did that.”
Kyrgios has always divided opinion Down Under. But in the last year at the age of 25, he has gone from underachieving enfant terrible to international Covid-19 cop and moral conscience of the sport. And this complex character spoke openly about his own struggles – and his fear of losing in his first you were there,” thinking going were Grand to some he cop about inside Slam revealed. if dark I all lost my the for thoughts that head, a **** year. “I match. there I was was “If in That tends media to be my doesn’t career. hold The back “When on me. I’m match point down secondround exit, I was almost afraid. I was afraid to come into this press room, go to my Airbnb and just read about it and take it all in. I don’t know how I would have reacted to negativity this year.” Kyrgios deployed an underarm serve in the first set before smashing his racquet in frustration. And umpire Marijana Veljovic replaced her fellow Serb Djokovic as his target in a running row about the let cord technology. But he even held his nerve and concentration when hit with a penalty point in the third set.
He added: “I know that many people don’t think that I have a heart or compete as hard as they want me to compete from time to time. But I have been through a lot and I didn’t just put my hand in a lucky dip and appear here.”
Novak Djokovic and Frances Tiafoe served 49 aces between them – 26 to 23 – before the No.1 seed won 6-3 6-7 7-6 6-3.
Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares beat Cameron Norrie and American partner Marcos Giron 7-6 6-3 in the opening round of the men’s doubles.
‘Many people think I don’t have a heart, but I have been through a lot’
GERARD LYTTLE believes Northern Ireland have an exciting stream of talented teens who can go on and make a name for themselves on the senior international stage.
The former Cliftonville boss, who was appointed U19s and U17s manager earlier this week, has worked closely with the province’s emerging talent at the IFA’S youth academy.
And it has given the 43-year-old a valuable insight into the quality of player he’ll have at his disposal in the months ahead.
Chelsea’s Sam Mcclelland (19), Celtic midfielder Ben Wylie (18), Liverpool’s Conor Bradley (17) and Rangers duo Chris Mckee (18) and Ross Mccausland
(17) are all highly rated.
Add in the likes of Nottingham Forest striker Dale Taylor
(17), Leeds United’s
Charlie Allen (17) and Wolves defender
Jack Scott (18) and there’s a rich pool of talent to tap into.
“I can’t wait to get started and manage both the U19s and U17s in competitive games,” said Lyttle.
“I’ve worked closely with the lads in the U17s (at the IFA’S youth academy) and also a lot of the players in the U19s, so I’m very familiar with them which is beneficial.
“I’m excited that my focus now is on planning for tournaments and managing games of football, which is something I have a real passion for. I’m looking forward to putting my ideas across on the pitch and hopefully be successful.”
Lyttle believes Northern Ireland’s U19 and U17 players have a clear pathway to future caps with former U21 boss Ian Baraclough (inset) in charge of the senior team.
“We’re lucky we have a senior manager who will give young players an opportunity if and when they’re good enough,” he said.
“Ian has made that clear and that should act as a major motivation for our young players coming through. It sets a very positive tone.
“I actually think we’re in a really good place at the moment with the structures we have, and I want to contribute by helping provide a clear pathway to the U21s and hopefully beyond.
“We’ll work closely with the senior manager and I’m actually just off a phone call with the U21 manager Andy Crosby chatting about players.
“I look forward to that aspect of the job, nurturing the U19s and U17s but also helping identify other young talent, in England and Scotland, and locally in the Irish League.”
First on Lyttle’s busy schedule is a Euro U19 qualifying mini tournament in Gothenburg next month, where hosts Sweden, Austria and Gibraltar lie in wait.
“Austria are top seeds with Sweden second seeds, so it’ll be a massive challenge, but it’s one we’re looking forward to,” he said.
“Anyone who knows me knows that we’ll go there with a positive mindset.
“I can’t wait to get the boys in for the first session and bed in how we want to approach those games and do things moving forward.”