SPORTSPORT 32 METROSPORT Friday, November 27, 2009 D Certified Distribution October 5 to November 1, 2009: 60,200 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 Bowe aiming to get his own BokBy gareth makim IrELAnDs Lions contingent will take the field against south Africa with a point to prove, according to wing Tommy Bowe. Bowe is one of ten members of the British and Irish Lions contingent which lost this summers series in south Africa that start against the springboks tomorrow, and the Os- preys flyer is aiming to put things right and go one better as the six nations winners chal- lenge the world and Tri nations champions. Without a doubt, theres still a huge feeling of what could have been, what we left behind over in south Africa, said Bowe. On the tour, it seemed like everything was going so well, everyone got on so well and the rugby was good. The main thing was that we didnt come away with the Test wins. In a great season of rugby for me personal- ly, I still have a big regret that we didnt get that win in the Test series and I think them coming over to our home patch in Croke Park, where we had such a good season last year, I think the pressure is on us to perform and to rise to the challenge. south Africa arrive in Dublin having already lost to France on their northern hemisphere travels, but Bowe claims tomorrows clash is the one both sides have been waiting for. [For them] the big game is against the Irish and I think they will have been targeting this game, he added. They will have been very disappointed with the French match, that was another huge game for them, but coming up against us I think they would have pointed to that as their big game and we have to bill it as our big game as well. We dont want to be bullied on our home patch. Pressure always on, says Benitez Defiant: Benitez RAFAEL BENITEZ insists he is under no more scrutiny than usual ahead of Sundays Merseyside derby at Everton despite Liverpools humiliating Champions League exit. Tuesdays 1-0 win at Debrecen counted for nothing as Fiorentina beat Lyon to ensure the Reds crashed out of Europes premier competition and into the second-tier Europa League. Defeat at Everton on Sunday would put even more pressure on under-fire Benitez despite managing director Christian Purslows insistence this week that the Spaniard will remain in charge at Anfield. Benitez said: I do not feel under any greater pressure, Liverpool are under pressure in every single game, whatever the competition. This is nothing new for me. The players know we are better than our results suggest, they can see we could have won in every game. Things are still positive, we have players coming back from injuries. We have been positive in recent league games against Birmingham and Manchester City, things have been improving. Benitez knows victory at Goodison Park could kick-start Liverpools season and claims his side will be more determined to be successful after their Champions League agony. The Reds have won just two of their last 11 games and Benitez added: We have not been able to go through to the last 16 of the Champions League so we must make sure we double our efforts in the league and always do our very best in future matches. Grant takes Pompey job: Page 30 BraziliaN legend Pel shared his sympathy with ireland over their World Cup exit yesterday and thierry henrys handball, but agreed with the decision not to replay the tie with France, admitting it would have been very complicated. Pel was in Dublin to raise money for Our ladys Childrens hospital, Crumlin and little Prince Childrens hospital in Brazil and hosted a fundraising gala dinner at the Burlington hotel last night. earlier in the day, Conor Durkin, age five, from Dublin, (pictured with his dad Ciaran), got his shirt signed by the three-times World Cup winner during his visit to Our ladys. Irish exit unfair, says Pel Picture: Sportsfile Unfair result: Page 30Healys proud moment: Page 29 Change of heart sees Vidic planning future at UnitedPage 31 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html28.html29.html30.html31.html32.html33.html34.html35.html