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SC1 Sports Personality of 2011

You know what to do by now. Go on, make someone’s year. SC1 Sports Personality of 2011

Who is SC1 Sports Rugby Personality of the Year

In what was a big year in Rugby Union, we witnessed an Irish club dominate Europe; an English outfit claim the 6 nations; and a Welsh side daring to touch the 2011 World Cup. We watched the northern hemisphere causing a stir down south and marvelled as one of the most exciting prospects, Israel Dagg, rose to prominence and helped the All-Blacks finally reclaim the tournament for the first time since its inception. In a bid to find the overall sports personality of 2011, deciphering Rugby’s all-star is our third similar poll and whilst below lists only home nations representatives, don’t hesitate to sway in another (probably more worthy) direction. SC1 Sports … Continue reading →

Who is SC1 Sports GAA Personality of the Year?

As stated in our soccer-ball poll, we are conducting a number of surveys from various sporting fields to determine who the most worthy nominees are to enter SC1 Sports’ Personality of the Year grand final. Selecting just 5 GAA personalities, Stephen had to unfortunately be omitted – despite his best efforts: Stephen Cleary Raising His Game It also broke my heart to turn a blind eye to Kerry’s Colm Cooper whose legend will continue to grow until the day will come when kids will question whether he was real or just another Irish myth. Michael Fennelly, hurler of the year, was completely ignored because there was no way I was going to … Continue reading →

Who is SC1 Sports Football Personality of the Year?

As the year draws to a close, SC1 Sports are in a hunt to reveal the true sports personality of 2011. Over the course of the week, we are conducting a series of polls to reveal the most popular athlete from various sports – with due respect to coaches, owners and other sporting personalities which YOU deem worthy. Today, we ask: Who was the outstanding Football person of 2011? Choosing just a select five, it was difficult to find space for people like Alex McLeish and Owen Hargreaves. However, it seemed that the following players picked themselves; but if we’re missing someone, please be sure to be heard. Go! Who is SC1 … Continue reading →

An Open Letter to Randy Lerner

Two Christmases ago, I sat in the company of two Liverpool supporters and tried to cover my eyes and ears as they bounced around the television when Fernando Torres had stolen an injury time winner at Villa Park. You see, beating Aston Villa used to be a scalp. Playing Aston Villa was rarely straight-forward and the Holte End was never an ignorable obstacle. Yet, in the space of one year, our chairman has remarkably transformed the club from Champions League hopefuls into soporific walkovers. And we’re still falling. Randy, we know you’ve given up. When our best players were being flogged and you were happy to watch your wallet refill, we knew … Continue reading →

The Gifted Fools

Yesterday Sunderland’s Nicklas Bendtner and Lee Cattermole were bailed from Northumbria police station after they allegedly caused criminal damage to cars in the Newcastle area. As a child we all aspire to become the best that we can be, we dream that one day we’ll achieve everything and hopefully look back on a fulfilling life. Too often have we all seen professional footballers who earn a ridiculous sum of money every year and still, even when they could have anything, they cause unnecessary harm to other people’s lives. Yes I understand that people are only human and some individuals have underlying personal problems that are often frowned upon so I am not … Continue reading →

Proposed Fixture List Change for GAA Season

I wanted to cut the club league in half – but how could I take so many games away from the salt of our sport; from the competition in which the biggest numbers participate? I even wanted to begin the season in September and have it end in June/July and I still think this is a very viable option but for this coming season, it clearly wouldn’t be an alternative and is probably too drastic to consider at this current stage. Nonetheless, something needs to change so we can properly address player burnout and so our sport can have more cohesion and communication about it – the winter training ban is in … Continue reading →

Gary Speed: The Role Model

Today a dark cloud looms over football as the talented, hardworking, strong and athletic Welsh footballer Gary Speed has passed away. Images of his former team mate Shay Given in tears during a game that should never have gone ahead (Swansea vs Aston Villa) filled me with great sadness. It hit home just how great the loss of Gary Speed is. One of Wales most gifted players Gary had an international career spanning over 14 years and had 85 caps to his name. News filtered through to me as I stood watching my friend Brian Devine shout instructions to his young u-12 Tristar Boys football team. People speak of poignant moments, well … Continue reading →

Exclusive Images: Darron Gibson – The History Maker

Before my incredible adventure to Hong Kong myself and fellow colleague Ciaran Roddy had been working hard on the Ulster Sporting Heroes exhibition at the Tower Museum. On 9th November, the exhibition was launched and thus far it has been a roaring success. Little did I know what was to greet me upon my return. 1 x Premier League winners’ medal 1 x FIFA Club World Cup medal 2 x Carling Cup medals Needless to say, shivers tingled down my spine. Darron Gibson had kindly loaned us his haul of incredible medals for the exhibition. Holding the Premier League medal in my hand brought to mind a flood of childhood dreams that … Continue reading →

#RaiseYourGame – Ireland Rugby

Ireland kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign on Sunday 11th September at 7am against the USA at the Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth. This is a call for Ireland to #RaiseYourGame. Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell lead their Irish troops to New Zealand in search of gold. They will also face Australia, Russia and Italy in Pool C and will be determined to better their disappointing exit from the 2007 World Cup at the Group stages, where Argentina and France advanced. Declan Kidney’s men are raring to go, the fighting Irish have landed in New Zealand and are ready to put their stamp on the competition. Anything is possible when you have … Continue reading →