20 METROSPORT Monday, October 12, 2009 D Duddy back to winning ways IrIsh middleweight John Duddy returned to winning ways on saturday night at Madison square Garden as he scored a unanimous points win over Jorge Michi Munoz. Duddy, 30, was returning to the ring following his first professional defeat in April and looking to line up a fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in the new year as he bids to rebuild his status as a world title contender. With Chavez Jrs promoter Bob Arum at ringside for the Top rank card, Duddy moved to 27-1 (17 KOs) and was rarely troubled by American-based Mexican Munoz. Duddy was fighting for the first time since reuniting with harry Keitt, his trainer for his first 20 professional fights and under whom he had registered 15 of his 17 stoppages. Ive had a lot in my head with getting married and what not and Im just glad to get back to this place called home, Duddy said. Its great being back in the Garden and back in New York. On his return to work with Keitt after two years apart, Duddy added: Its the best decision I ever made in my life. boxing New York glove story: Derrys John Duddy (left) tees off on Jorge Munoz at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night Picture: Sportsfile Tinkering: Cooney gAA Open draw on agenda in hurling Carlows place in the all- Ireland sHC next year was rubber-stumped at special Congress on saturday, while it was also confirmed that there would be no relegation this time around. It also emerged that participating counties are to be sounded out about the possibility of scrapping the provincial system in the hurling championship, in favour of an open draw. Gaa president Christy Cooney told delegates at the Citywest Hotel that there would be a review of the traditional structure. If an open draw comes through the consultation process and if people want us to look at it we will look at it, Cooney said. otherwise, if there is a strong feeling that we should retain our provincial championship structure the way it is at the moment then that will be retained. If, though, there is a strong feeling that we need to look at serious options like an open-draw situation then we as an association have an obligation to do that. Croke Park will now embark on a process of conferring with relevant county boards in a bid to find a championship set-up that will be beneficial to all involved. It came as no surprise that there were no objections to the inclusion of Christy ring Cup winners Carlow in the top tier, bringing the number of teams vying for the liam MacCarthy Cup to 13. This means that there will be no promotion from the rick, rackard and Meagher competitions next season, though. we see it as an opportunity and a challenge for our players to compete at a higher level in 2010 and we are happy about that, said Carlow secretary Tommy oNeill. obviously, we are aware that moving up the ladder now is a serious challenge but [the players] deserve the opportunity to compete at this level and see how they cope. and we feel they will equip themselves quite well. To see the leinster championship with Galway and antrim and with Carlow now, there are eight teams there and that has to be good for hurling and the leinster championship. RUgbY HEINEKEN CUP OLYMPICS: Japans Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the only cities to suffer nuclear attacks, are considering a joint bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games. The Japanese cities, located more than 300km apart, say they want to give momentum to moves to abolish nuclear weapons. The move came after Tokyo failed in its bid for the 2016 Games and the surprise award of the Nobel Peace Prize to US President Barack Obama for giving the world hope for a better future and striving for nuclear disarmament. It is not something that should be left solely to President Obama or talks between governments, Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue said yesterday. Each one of us has a role to play in this and hosting the Olympics could be one of the roles for the cities that suffered nuclear attacks. We will look into the possibility of a bid. TENNIS: Second seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga took just over an hour to defeat Mikhail Youzhny in the final of the Japan Open yesterday. The Frenchman fired down 11 aces on his way to a 6-3, 6-3 victory that earned him a third ATP Tour title of the season and boosts his chances of qualifying for the end-of-season Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at Londons O2 Arena. I am so happy to win another title and this puts me closer to London, he said. I have so much confidence now, its a great time of the year for me. FORMULA ONE: Toyotas Timo Glock has been ruled out of Sundays Brazilian Grand Prix after suffering a cracked vertebra at Suzuka earlier this month. The German did not compete at the Japanese circuit after a high-speed crash during the second qualifying session. Glock, 27, was admitted to hospital with a leg injury, however, further tests have since revealed the back problem. Team boss John Howett said: We hope he can recuperate in time for Abu Dhabi, although at this stage the situation is not clear. Kamui Kobayashi will replace Glock on Sunday. SPORTDigest Tokyo triumph: Tsonga No excuses as Saints march past MunsterBY JOHN DONNELLY Pinned back: OConnell is stopped in his tracks Tigers earn a thrilling drawMuNsTer captain Paul OConnell was offering no excuses after his teams 31- 27 defeat at Northampton saints on saturday. The province travelled to Franklins Gardens hoping to put the previous weekends thrashing at the hands of Leinster behind them, but a superb display from fly-half shane Geraghty inspired the hosts to victory despite a late Munster fightback that in- cluded tries from David Wal- lace and Tomas OLeary. There were a few defen- sive lapses, OConnell said after Geraghtys 21-point haul. Against a team of the quality of Northampton, you cant give them those oppor- tunities. shane Geraghty is playing well at the moment, and they [Northampton] are very good at what they do. Thelosingbonuspointcould prove valuable down the line and Munster will be expected to get their Pool One cam- paign fully up and running when Italian side Treviso visit Thomond Park this weekend. Treviso shocked French rivals Perpignan with a 9-8 victory this weekend. leICesTer Tigers staged a stirring comeback at welford road yesterday to earn a draw against ospreys. Tries from lions wings Tommy Bowe and shane williams gave the welsh side a 26-8 lead. But man- of-the-match Billy Twelvetrees sparked the fightback, adding to Johne Murphys early score with a try just before the break. winger lucas amorosino and Jeremy staunton earned leicester the four- try bonus point and Twelvetrees sealed the draw with a late conversion. elsewhere, Toulouse hammered visitors sale sharks 36-17. leicesteR 32 ospReYs 32 Hiroshima and Nagasaki plan bid for 2020 Olympic Games index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html