WEEKEND INTERNATIONAL SPORT 28-7-15

CRICKET

DISAPPOINTMENT IN DUBLIN

Ireland was disappointing on Saturday after losing to the Netherlands. Scotland and the Dutch shared the trophy after there was no match because of the bad weather and it was also due to that bad weather that Ireland finished third which was a good world cup for them. For the fans that follow Irish Cricket fans this definitely was a disappointment. They did qualify for India which was the point.

BLACKWELL WINS FIGHT OF THE NIGHT 

Damon Jones had got control of this british middleweight title until Blackwell hit him with a great punch that made him champion in the final seconds of the sixth round. 

BOXING

HUGHIE HOW GOOD IS HE?

Undefeated heavyweight prospect Hughie Fury stayed unbeaten with a 10 round points decision win over a smaller 5’11”, 41-year-old Argentine journeyman George Arias on Saturday night at the Derby Arena, Derby, United Kingdom.

SOCCER

WORLD CUP DRAW

ROI GET GOOD DRAW WHILE NI GET BAD DRAW

The Republic of Ireland and Wales were paired in the same group in the world cup qualifiers on Saturday and to be honest there is no one in the pool that Ireland could not beet if they get a couple of good players through. They will also face Serbia, Georgia and Moldova.

Northern Ireland has a very hard group as they were grouped with Germany the Czech Republic and Norway. You could not see them getting points against Germany but they could finish second. Azerbaijan and San Marino are matches that they must win to seal qualification

England and Scotland were put in the same group but you do think that Scotland’s fate will depend on how they do against Slovakia and Slovenia with Lithuania and Malta being the places where you must get points

The Netherlands, France and Sweden are pooled in a very difficult group to get out of. Romania, Denmark Poland and Montenegro anyone can get out of that group as it is so similar to Republic of Irelands for that reason. Spain having to play Italy there will be 2 good matches.  

23-7-15 Boxing and cricket news over the week

CRICKET

IRELAND DON’T FIND IT EASY

Ireland and Scotland secured automatic qualification for the cricket world cup after topping their leagues but Ireland were very lucky to finish top after they needed to win on the final day and two other results to go their way which they did.

The Netherlands secured a win against Namibia to secure a spot in the world cup the Netherland would need to improve in the semi-finals they are always a threat in this type of tournament. Hong Kong defeated Afghanistan in the second/ third play-off they are definitely the surprise package.

Afghanistan showed a little bit of style at the end of their game against Papa New Guinea to secure their spot in the world cup but as top seeds they were expected to do better they had to go into the fourth place play off to do so

Ireland will play the Netherlands in the semi-final while Scotland would play Hong Kong  and in my opinion one match could be as interesting as the other.

BOXING

FRAMPTON GETTING BETTER

Northern Irishman Carl Frampton fought and beat Alenjendro Gonzalez Jr to  secure  his IBF Super Bantamweight  title but had a few early knockdowns  early on and did look quite nervous in the early rounds. But he did get better as the fight went on looked very strong in the later rounds. He did have a problem with his weight but I don’t know what exactly that means for him. I would not be surprised if Gonzalez Jr won the World title in the next few years but I do think that Frampton was a very lucky boy on Saturday and now they show be aiming to fight.

This was his first fight in the USA and I think that a fight like this can only help him in setting up the big fight against Scott Quigg or Mexican Leo Santa Cruz maybe that fight can be set up in the US