SPORTSPORT 24 METROSPORT Friday, September 25, 2009 D Certified Distribution August 3-30, 2009: 50,145 Published by Fortunegreen Ltd, Embassy House, Herbert Park Lane, Dublin 4 Printed by The Irish Times at Citywest in Dublin Editorial: (01) 637 5900 Advertising: (01) 637 5989 Classified: (01) 637 5979 Distribution: (01) 637 5901 Kerry rule out Croke Park opener Cavanagh: Recovering from ankle surgery KERRY GAA chairman Jerome Conway has ruled out shifting their National Football League opener against Dublin from Killarney to Croke Park. The old rivals are scheduled to meet in on the opening weekend of the league on February 7 with champions Kerry at home having travelled to Parnell Park earlier this year. The mouthwatering clash presents the possibility of moving the game to Croke Park to launch the league in style, like the GAA did with the Dublin v Tyrone game this year. A GAA spokesman said yesterday that All-Ireland winners Kerry would first have to concede home advantage for the plan to work. But Kingdom chief Conway told Metro that definitely will not be happening. No, no, no absolutely not, the games going ahead in Killarney, said Conway. Weve told Croke Park were quite happy with the fixture list. I would imagine Dublin will welcome the opportunity to travel to play at a venue like Killarney. Meanwhile, Tyrone stars Sean Cavanagh and Philip Jordan could miss the majority if not all of the Red Hand countys Division 1 campaign because of injury. Current Footballer of the Year Cavanagh is recovering from ankle surgery while key defender Jordan is scheduled to go under the knife to fix a long-term hip problem on October 16. Cavanagh picked up the ankle injury in the Ulster final and needed injections to play against Kildare and Cork at Croke Park and now faces a spell on crutches. He anticipates not returning until April, which could see him miss most of Tyrones games in February and March. It is a big blow to Tyrone who have a high- profile NFL opener against rivals Derry on February 6, although the pair should be back for the Round 7 clash with Dublin on April 11. Wicklow hopeful of AllStar: Page 21 Page 22 24 Wenger stands firm in face of Bordeaux tapping-up claims BRitAin and ireland captain Paul McGinley looked to countrymen Rory Mcilroy and Graeme McDowell to get his Vivendi trophy campaign off to the perfect start and the pair duly delivered. they thumped Continental European duo Soren Kjeldsen and big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros 4&3 in the first match of yesterdays fourballs in Paris, leaving European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie to describe them as a possible pairing next year at Celtic Manor. the irish twosomes dominance was mirrored by Englands Anthony Wall and Chris Wood, who hammered Ryder Cup pair Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson 6&5 as McGinleys side opened up a 3-2 advantage after the opening day. i hope its the start of a long partnership, Mcilroy said. As long as we stay fit theres no reason why we cant have a partnership for the next ten years. McDowell added: Obviously were great friends, but this is a chance to show we can gel on the course. theres nothing i would like better than to play with him in the Ryder Cup. Meanwhile, Padraig Harrington continued his good form with a superb start to the tour Championship in Atlanta. the Dubliner birdied four of his opening nine holes to lie in an early share of the lead. Irish pair lead way for captain McGinley Picture: Reuters Perfect start: Rory Mcilroy and Graeme McDowell in action yesterday Rovers return a bonus for Trap By DAViD KEnnEDySTEvEN REIDS timely return to the Blackburn Rovers side is set to be rewarded with a recall to the Republic of Ireland squad for the decisive World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Montenegro next month. Reid started only his second game of the season in Blackburns Carling Cup win at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, coming through 75 minutes unscathed after recovering from his latest injury. The midfielder could now retain his place for tomorrows visit of Aston villa to Ewood Park. Reids return to fitness is a huge boost to Ireland boss Giovanni Trap- attoni, who names his squad for the games on October 10 and 16 today. The Italian has been without Reid, who played in the opening two quali- fiers last year, for the 11 internation- als and the Blackburn mans absence has been keenly felt in the centre of the Irish midfield. Meanwhile, there was also positive news on Aiden McGeady, who picked up an ankle knock in Celtics win over Falkirk on Wednesday night. McGeady will not face St Mirren tomorrow, but Hoops assistant boss Peter Grant revealed he was hopeful the Ireland winger would be fit be back for next Thursdays Europa League tie against Rapid vienna and the seasons first Old Firm clash the following Sunday. 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