D Wednesday, November 18, 2009 METROSPORT 21 Advice: Curran GAA Rebel star urges Clare to reach an agreement Strike veteran ronan Curran has urged a speedy resolution in the Clare hurling crisis, for everyones sake, writes Paul Keane. experienced defender Curran was central to the strike that raged in Cork last winter and spring. Along with the rest of the 2008 panel, he refused to play for manager Gerald McCarthy. McCarthy eventually quit and the players returned to action but the months of fighting took their toll. Curran admitted the rowing left him constantly worried and played havoc with his nerves. He said the Clare players who do not want to play for manager Mike McNamara should try to find a resolution sooner rather than later. Definitely, the faster you can get something sorted and the better you work together then maybe both sides can come together and work something out, said Curran. Once it escalates things just get messy and no-one wants that. it does take a lot out of you and your nerves. it takes a lot out of management and whoever else is involved with the thing. its somewhere no-one wants to be and the faster its sorted out the better. Curran was at Croke Park to launch Mycros range of hurling helmets and gloves. New ZeAlAND assistant coach wayne Smith believes Martin Johnson will not fail as england manager. Johnsons position is under scrutiny as england stumble through their autumn schedule, and with the mighty All Blacks visiting twickenham on Saturday the crisis facing Johnson is sure to deepen. But Smith insisted englands world Cup-winning captain has too many qualities not to succeed. when i was over here, Martin was pretty regal, he said. He has got a huge heart and a lot of what we call mana spirit and respect. Because of that you can only think it will come right for him. He is a quality person with great values and if i was a betting man, he would be the one i would back. i believe he will be successful. South AfricA wing Bryan habana was cleared at a disciplinary hearing in London yesterday after being cited for allegedly kicking Vincent clerc during the Springboks 20-13 defeat by france last friday and will now be free to line out against ireland at croke Park next Saturday. the irBs judicial officer for the match, professor Lorne crerar, considered a series of video clips as well as the players explanation and was unable to determine, upon the balance of probabilities, that the 26- year-old had deliberately kicked his opponent. Video showed france full- back Damien traille pulling habanas leg towards him and clerc. habana is free to resume playing immediately. the Springboks play italy this weekend before completing their tour in Dublin. Kiwi backing for Johnson Habana free for Croke tilt ruGby internAtionAls Sexton gets his chance to stake Ireland claimsBy john donnelly JonAthAn Sexton will be seek- ing to prove ireland have a genuine alternative to ronan oGara when he makes his test debut against fiji. Sexton replaces oGara at fly-half in one of eight changes to the side which drew 20-20 with Australia. it is reward for the 24-year-olds sparkling provincial form which reached its zenith during the closing stages of Leinsters march to their first heineken cup crown last season. And a solid start to the current cam- paign has convinced national coach Declan Kidney he is ready to be pro- moted on Saturday. Sexton will have the luxury of ap- pearing in a virtually all-Leinster back line Munster winger Keith earls breaks their monopoly and is de- lighted to realise his boyhood dream. this is a very proud moment for me and my family. this is different to winning the heineken cup, which is a team thing, he said. Getting se- lected by ireland is a personal thing but is something ive wanted since i was a kid. Sexton has been the subject of a growing clamour demanding his test inclusion as ireland acknowledge time is running out to uncover oGaras successor. Munsters long- serving Lion will be 34 by the next World cup so Sextons development is crucial, but his Leinster and ireland captain Brian oDriscoll is confident he will make a smooth transition. Jonathan is a very talented player but also has a strong work ethic. he puts a lot of thought into his game, said oDriscoll. its been a huge six months for him. With every game hes getting better and he has a great fu- ture in irish rugby. earls, who replaces the injured Luke fitzgerald, is the only non-Leinster representative in the back line with Gordon DArcy, Shane horgan and eoin reddan recalled. ulsters tom court starts ahead of cian healy at loosehead prop while Leo cullen partners Paul oconnell in the second row and Denis Leamy displaces David Wallace at openside. skills show: Keith earls displays his ball control in training Picture: Sportsfile ireland team v fiji R Kearney (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), B ODriscoll (Leinster, cap), G DArcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster); J Sexton (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster); T Court (Ulster), J Flannery (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), L Cullen (Leinster), P OConnell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), D Leamy (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster). replacements: T Buckley, D OCallaghan, T OLeary (Munster), S OBrien (Leinster), P Wallace, A Trimble (Ulster), S Cronin (Connacht). index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html