D Thursday, October 29, 2009 METROSPORT 21 No relaxing: Fitzgerald Ireland competition spurs Fitzgerald rugby Shock confession: Agassi tennis Agassi in the clear after drug admission EIGHT-times grand slam winner Andre Agassi seems almost certain not to face any action after admitting he used the recreational drug crystal meth and lied to mens governing body the ATP to escape a ban. In his forthcoming book, Open, the American candidly describes being introduced to the drug in 1997 by his assistant and the moment later that year when he was informed he had failed a drugs test. In his book, Agassi, now 39, spoke of the moment he took crystal meth, a highly addictive amphetamine, for the first time when his career was in free-fall. He was helped by his drug- user assistant, known as Slim. Slim dumps a small pile of powder on the coffee table. He cuts it, snorts it. He cuts it again. I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon Ive just crossed, Agassi said. There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness. Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. Had Agassis drug taking been made public his career could have been ruined a scenario he recalls that led him to lie about his failed drugs test. He described how he concocted a story that he had accidentally drunk a soda spiked with crystal meth belonging to Slim. The ATP reviewed the case against Agassi and threw it out. But the head of the World Anti- Doping Agency [Wada] which was founded two years after Agassis admission said no action is likely to be taken against Agassi, although they do want tennis authorities to shed light on why he escaped suspension by blaming his positive test on a spiked drink. Wada president John Fahey said his agency cannot take any action against Agassi because of their eight- year statute of limitations, and that it is unlikely the ATP will either. Wada would, however, expect the ATP, which administered its own anti-doping program at that time, to shed light on this allegation, he said. I eased back on the couch to consider the Rubicon Ive crossed He may be a British and Irish Lion but Luke Fitzgerald says he was taking nothing for granted when Ireland coach Declan Kidney announced his squad for the November internationals yesterday. The flying winger admits to being pleased to have made the cut but reckons that establishing a place in the team for the tests against Australia, Fiji and South Africa will be very difficult indeed. Its something that youve got to be conscious of with Deccie, you can never rest on your laurels. everyone was probably a bit nervous before the squad was announced. Theres massive competition and its pretty daunting coming into camp and looking at two and a half or three backlines worth of guys who are playing fantastic rugby. You know you have to perform to best of your ability in the games leading up to it and in the training to be in with a shout of wearing the green for Ireland. Fitzgerald did not start as Leinster lost out to Ulster in last weekends Magners League tie, but scored a try after his second half introduction and is eager to take on Cardiff Blues and fellow Lions Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin and Leigh Halfpenny at the RDS on Saturday evening. Obviously, were looking to bounce back this weekend, admitted Fitzgerald. We were disappointed with the result against Ulster. Jamie [Roberts] is a very direct player and hes hard to stop once he gets going so thats a big challenge for us. Tom Shanklin makes a really fantastic centre combination so thats one area well be trying to nullify. provinces to combine at aviva opening Irelands provinces will combine next year in a special match to open the new aviva stadium. Ulster will join with leinster in a one-off team to take on a Munster/ Connacht side to mark the launch of the new lansdowne road. The IrFU confirmed the unique fixture will take place on august 7 next year, four days before the republics soccer squad take on argentina. Philip Browne, IrFU chief executive, said: It was felt that a combined provinces fixture would be the most appropriate. goLF singapore open WHILe Padraig Harrington admits less pressure will help him convert his recent return to form into a long- awaited victory at this weeks Barclays Singapore Open, the Irishman has set himself an ambitious target of winning his next three events to remain in the hunt on the Race to Dubai. Harrington, who has not won since last years US PGA Championship, was happy to write off the first six months of this season to work on his game and has recently reaped the rewards with seven top-ten finishes in his last eight events after The Open. I have had two halves to my season. The first six months performance- wise wasnt very good. I was doing a lot of work on my game. I have now played well over the last three months but havent got a win, said the world No.6. A win is going to happen, but it gets harder when you try to push it and force it. I have got myself in positions, but now I need to just let it happen. The 38-year-old 2006 Order of Merit winner sits 16th on the inaugural Race to Dubai, but with over 2million to play for over his next three events in Singapore, Shanghai and ultimately Dubai, he has not given up all hope of overhauling over a gap of over 1m to current leader Lee Westwood, who is playing at this weeks World Match Play in Spain. Its mathematically possible I can make No.1. I would need a big run so I am going to try and win all three [events]. It is possible but its a very long shot, Harrington said. Harrington bids for strong finish Ambitious: Harrington gaa Provincial glory counts for nothing, says Canty By pAul keANe No scars from defeats: Canty at yesterdays kinetica launch in Dublin CORK football captain Graham Canty has admitted provincial success counts for nothing any- more in the race for the All-Ire- land title. Before the qualifiers were in- troduced in 2001, an All-Ireland winner had to win their provin- cial championship first. But since then five of the nine Sam Maguire winners have come through the back-door system af- ter losing in their provinces. Cork have been the big losers, beating Kerry to win Munster in 2006, 2008 and 2009 only to lose in the All-Ireland series to the Kingdom each season. Dublin fans feel their pain as the Blues have failed to even con- test an All-Ireland final despite winning five Leinsters in a row. Theres no advantage either way anymore in winning the pro- vincial championship or losing it, in terms of the quest for All-Ire- land glory, said Canty. The way it is at the moment you have two distinct champion- ships; your provincial champion- ship and your All-Ireland series. Despite Corks failure to back up their provincial wins with All- Ireland glory, Canty insists the Rebels have not been scarred. I dont think there are scars there, he said. The way Gaelic football is now youve virtually got a new team with three or four new players each year so youre constantly looking forward. Youd probably just be more annoyed with yourself than any- thing else for not beating Kerry in Croke Park in the last four or five years. Corks All-Ireland final setback was compounded by Tadhg Ken- nellys revelation that he timed perfectly a dangerous tackle on Nicholas Murphy. Kennelly sub- sequently retracted the statement. I was disappointed with the comments but its not going to add to the rivalry between Cork and Kerry, claimed Canty. FitNeSS expert and new Armagh football trainer Mike McGurn has lashed the GAAs upcoming winter shutdown period as crazy. the former strength and conditioning coach for the irish rugby team is delighted to go back to his roots and get involved with Gaelic games again, but the Fermanagh native is hugely frustrated that the November and December closed season, brought in last year, prevents him from working with his adopted Armagh players until January 1. putting these boys out in the Mckenna Cup, the league and the Championship from January to September on a very limited pre-season is crazy, said McGurn, now a brand ambassador for kinetica sports nutrition products. the more you put in the bank in the preseason the more you take out during the season. McGurn lashes limits on pre-season training index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html