The LA84 Foundation Library: is "engaged in an ambitious project to convert selected scholarly journals, proceedings and series publications, as well as non-scholarly sports magazines and reviews from paper to digital format." You can search their archives or browse through their list of journals. Never complain that you have nothing to read anymore ;)
via Open Access News

posted by Fence to general at 04:22 AM - 2 comments

Munster take their second European title: Sat. was Heineken Cup final day, with Munster looking for their second title, while Toulouse were hunting for their fourth European Cup. Some called billed it the beast against the beauty but while this game was only occasionally beautiful it was a totally gripping game.
In recent seasons Munster have signed more international players and while these imports didn't manage to score they certainly came close and created some lovely plays. This was a hugely emotional game due to a number of reasons; the main one being that it was Declan Kidney's last game in charge as he is moving to take over the running of Ireland's national side. Leaving the question of where do Munster go from here for another to answer.
The compulsory YouTube highlights and of course the pre-game Gift Grub sketch

posted by Fence to other at 06:49 AM - 3 comments

"This fella, Ronaldo, he's a cod": RTE's TV pundits show they really don't like Cristiano Ronaldo (via). Why does he seem to polarise opinion in a way that other players don't?

posted by Fence to soccer at 03:44 AM - 29 comments

40 games down: With the pool stages of the RWC over it is time for the remaining 8 nations to look ahead. For some of thos going home there are high points to reflect upon; for others the hatchets are waiting.

posted by Fence to other at 04:25 AM - 20 comments

Sportsmanship hasn't gone away.: Last month the Carling Cup match between Leicester City and Nottingham Forest was abandoned after Clive Clarke suffered a heart attack. At the time Forest were leading, so, in a sporting gesture Leicester allowed Forest a "free goal" at the start of the rematch.

posted by Fence to soccer at 04:47 AM - 20 comments

All-Ireland final weekend.: This Sunday sees Limerick take on Kilkenny in the hurling final. Kilkenny are favourites, without a doubt, but historically Limerick just edge it, with four wins and three losses against the Kilkenny Cats. With the demand for tickets so high the largest screen in Europe will be used in Limerick to broadcast the game on O'Connell St.
[Youtube vids: What is hurling? Part 1, 2, & 3]

posted by Fence to other at 06:21 AM - 5 comments

James Oyebola's life support to be switched off. : On Monday, after asking 3 men to stop smoking, ex-British Heavyweight champion James Oyebola was shot. In the face. Today, after doctor's pronounced him brain dead, his life support is to be switched off.

posted by Fence to boxing at 04:34 AM - 16 comments

Thirty two years is a long time.: So it is no wonder that the local press are celebrating Sligo's long awaited victory in last weekend's Connacht final. Their campaign began before the season kicked off by getting players to return to the team, like Kieran Quinn who had taken time out to do a BA in Jazz. The first match was away to New York, and it was the probably the only one in which they were favourites. But they can't celebrate too much, there is still a long way to go in the All-Ireland. However they get on, people in Sligo finally have their third Connacht title.

posted by Fence to other at 01:17 PM - 8 comments

The very worst: You can really tell that it is the off season for soccer, a few weeks ago it was the fifty best players, and now the Times takes a look at the fifty worst footballers to play in England. Can you guess who this refers to?

Told Kenny Dalglish he intended to bite off his ear and spit in the whole. And they said there were no characters left in the game.

posted by Fence to soccer at 09:30 AM - 8 comments

Sporting perfection?: The Telegraph's Brendan Gallagher compiles a list of 50 perfect sporting moments. You could go vote for your favourite, but isn't it much more fun to argue about why the list is wrong and how biased it is?

posted by Fence to general at 07:16 AM - 31 comments

Muscle-rub blamed for athlete's death: Seventeen year old Arielle Newman's death, in April of this year, was the result of overdosing on methyl salicylate. This is a common ingredient of muscle rubs that are designed to help ease muscle ache.

In addition to spreading the muscle cream on her legs between track meets, Newman was using adhesive pads containing the anti-inflammatory, plus an unspecified third product containing the chemical, Borakove said. Source

posted by Fence to general at 02:27 PM - 22 comments

The Blame Game: : after a UEFA report blamed Liverpool fans for crowd trouble Rick Parry, Liverpool chief executive argued otherwise. Now Platini agrees saying that Reds fans cannot be blamed for the trouble. Martin Samuel isn't so sure.

posted by Fence to soccer at 05:13 AM - 4 comments

Fan's punch ends qualifier:: The Euro 08 qualifier between Denmark and Sweden was abandoned after a fan attempted to punch the referee. By all accounts an exciting game, with Denmark fighting back from 3 goals down to level the game before Danish midfielder Poulsen was sent off. The ensuing penalty seems to have been what led to the fan's attack. UEFA is to investigate the incident.

posted by Fence to soccer at 06:47 AM - 2 comments

A tour too far: With the rugby world cup on later this year there is plenty of development work and plenty of experimenting going on. But as second string Northern Hempisphere teams tour the Southern hempisphere, some are wondering what the point is.

posted by Fence to other at 05:56 AM - 3 comments

Cullen announces his retirement: All-Blacks' legend Christian Cullen has announced his retirement with immediate effect. A record breaking international player he had been playing with Munster for the past few years, but has been plagued by injury and a little controversy. Despite the injuries, other teams have shown an interest, but Cullen (YouTube) has decided to head home and retire. Hopefully to enjoy it as much as his namesake

posted by Fence to other at 08:46 AM - 5 comments

Keane Leaps Toward Glory: With Sunderland now safely promoted the future looks bright for Keane (I know, I posted about Keane recently, but I really liked this blog entry).
Birmingham are the other Championship side team guaranteed to be promoted, while others must battle in the play-offs. While down the other end of the table Leeds are likely to fall even further.

posted by Fence to soccer at 03:29 AM - 18 comments

Alan Ball dies, aged 61: The youngest of England's World Cup winning team, Alan Ball died of a suspected heart attack after a fighting a bonfire at his home.

Everyone knows the World Cup winner, the little ginger bundle of energy who really won the Jules Rimet trophy, begging Sir Geoff Hurst's pardon. (BBC)

posted by Fence to soccer at 05:53 AM - 7 comments

Roy Keane to replace Fergie?: So Eric Cantona believes as Sunderland look like returning to the Premiership. But questions remain over whether Keane has really proven himself as a manager. Especially considering the recent loss to Colchester.

posted by Fence to soccer at 03:59 AM - 7 comments

Maradona back in hospital: Just two days after his stay in hospital Diego Maradona is back in hospital. He is being treated for toxic hepatitis related to alcohol abuse.

posted by Fence to soccer at 07:30 AM - 9 comments

USA V Munster: Any rugby fans in Chicago next August might like to check out the USA's final preparation for the World Cup as they'll take on the current European Champions Munster. Okay, so the Munster team won't feature any of the Irish squad members, but there will be more than enough senior Munster players left to make for an interesting match.

posted by Fence to other at 03:54 AM - 4 comments

Day One!: Cheltenham begins today, the world's greatest national hunt festival. The favourites have been discussed for months. Now it is time to let the fun begin, not to mention the betting

posted by Fence to other at 04:51 AM - 11 comments

Choking allegations : and referee apologies mean that all the talk about Saturday's Six Nations competition is more about the controversy rather than the rugby.

posted by Fence to other at 09:05 AM - 18 comments

What would you chop a finger off for?: A chance to play in the cricket world cup? No need to get too worried, he is doing fine with it so far.

posted by Fence to other at 01:06 PM - 9 comments

The heroism-stupidity line.: After John Terry's decision to leave hospital as quickly as possible, Martin Samuel wonders is he believing his own hype as "captain indestructible" and when bravery turns into stupidity.

posted by Fence to soccer at 04:07 AM - 3 comments

“I’ve already died four times": The story of boxer Johnny Tapia, who is to step into the ring one last time on Friday, is one that is a "little too dark" for Disney, what with the suicide attempts and overdoses.

posted by Fence to boxing at 04:28 AM - 8 comments