D Wednesday, December 2, 2009 METROSPORT 25 DisgraceD former american sprinter Marion Jones is attempting to relaunch her sporting career as a professional basketball player. Jones was an outstanding basketball talent before choosing a full-time athletics career in 1996. in 2008 she spent almost six months in jail after admitting to perjury, conceding she had used steroids, and due to her involvement in a cheque fraud. The former Olympic 100metres and 200m champion, who has since been stripped of her medals, appears to have no plans to return to the track. Now 34, she said: Back in May, when i got a call from someone in the NBa, asking if i would possibly be interested in the WNBa [Womens National Basketball association], my reaction was, Yeah, right. However, Jones admits she has since come around to the idea. i thought it would be an interesting journey if i decided to do this, she said. it would give me an opportunity to share my message to young people to get a second chance. i think i can be an asset to a franchise, so it comes down to, Why not? really. Why not? Jones set for return to court second chance: Jones has ruled out a return to the track Picture: Getty Mick ODwyer has expressed his interest in discussions about becom- ing irelands new international rules manager. it was reported yesterday that Sean Boylan will not be retained as ireland manager for the anticipated 2011 tests in Limerick and Dublin. Metro understands Boylan has not actually been officially informed of that news yet but that his tenure is definitely at an end. it leaves the door open for a new manager to come in and football leg- end Micko fits the bill perfectly. The 73-year old current wicklow manager has criticised the GAA on several occasions for not giving him the international reins. He is a fan of the hybrid game and a source close to the kerry legend said yesterday that he is keen on any ap- proach from the GAA. ODwyer won eight All-irelands as kerry manager before guiding Lein- ster sides kildare, Laois and wicklow with relative success. Boylan, who won four All-irelands as Meath manager and led ireland to Micko puts name up for Rules role victory over Australia in 2008, would have managed his country for a third time if the 2009 series had not been postponed. That momentum was lost by the tour not going ahead and given that we felt that there would be a fair turn- over of players it made sense to start a new management cycle, said GAA Operations Director Feargal McGill. BY paul keaNe the joe show cOuNTY star Joe sheridan has been named Meath Footballer of the Year. The seneschalstown man was nominated for an allstar award for his part in helping Meath to the all-ireland semi- final. He followed that up by turning in some brilliant displays for his club who captured a second county title in three seasons. sheridan will hope to join siblings Brian and Damien in the Meath set-up next season. it is a double boost for the club who have also been named club of the Year in Meaths annual awards. GAA rugBY: australia coach robbie Deans is confident his side remains on track to make an impact at the 2011 World cup despite mixed fortunes on their tour of europe. The Wallabies fell short of their pre-tour ambition of matching the 1984 grand slam- winning side wins over england and Wales sandwiched by a draw with ireland and a one-point loss to scotland but Deans claims the positives outweigh the negatives. i think we will look back in time and recognise the value we got out of it, Deans said of the tour. We didnt get everything we were seeking from an outcome perspective but there were a lot of plusses in terms of players who have emerged. nfl: new Orleans quarterback Drew Brees delivered a perfect performance to lead the Saints to a dominant 38-17 victory over the new England Patriots on Monday and maintain their unbeaten start to the season. The Saints joined the Indianapolis Colts at 11-0 with the win, the first time two teams have started the season with that many victories. Brees threw five touchdown passes on the way to a rare 158.3 rating, the maximum a quarterback can achieve, as the Saints overwhelmed new England, winners of three Super Bowls this decade. We have so much respect for [the Patriots], and thats what were trying to be: that team that year in and year out competes for a championship, Brees said. BOxIng: Bernard Hopkins returns to the ring in his home town of Philadelphia tonight with his sights set on a heavyweight title shot next year. former middleweight and light- heavyweight champion Hopkins, 44, fights the well regarded Enrique Ornelas of Mexico in a low-key bout for The Executioner, his first since dismantling Kelly Pavlik last year. However, with a long-awaited rematch with Roy Jones Jr already set up for March, Hopkins is looking to emulate his old foe Jones in becoming a middleweight-turned- heavyweight champion in 2010 at the age of 45. Im going to look good [against Ornelas], then Im going to finish off Roy Jones Jr and then I might become heavyweight champion in 2010, Hopkins said. gOlF: lee Westwood has been named the european Tours golfer of the Month for November following his six-stroke Dubai World championship victory, which enabled him to win a second Order of Merit title. Westwood, who moved back to world No.4 as a result of his win, was the unanimous choice of the voting panel which comprised members of the association of golf Writers and commentators from television and radio. Other contenders were Frenchman gregory Bourdy for his Hong kong Open success and italians edoardo and Francesco Molinari. They won the World cup, while challenge Tour winner edoardo also tasted success in Japan. SPORTDigest perfect performance: Brees Westmeath ace Dessie Dolan says he is still not sure if hell return to play for his county next season. the former allstar is currently preparing for sundays aIB Leinster club final with Garrycastle. the athlone outfit are hoping to become the first Westmeath club ever to win the provincial title. Dolan (pictured) is injury-free and clearly on top form and would be a major asset to ambitious new Westmeath boss Brendan hackett. But the fact that his dad, Dessie Dolan sr, was overlooked for the job could prove a stumbling block. I havent decided anything yet [about Westmeath], said Dolan, just a month ahead of the OByrne Cup campaign. Because the club is going so well at the minute I dont want to get distracted with anything. If Garrycastle beat Portlaoise on sunday, Dolan would not be available to Westmeath until after an all- Ireland semi-final in February. Dolan undecided on Westmeath future RUGBY mAGneRs leAGUe Leinster take young guns to wales wiTHOuT their ireland stars following the November internationals, Leinster have named a youthful squad for this Sundays Magners League visit to rodney Parade to face the Dragons, writes Gareth Makim. The panel features a number of players who have impressed in recent weeks in the British & irish cup such as Shaun Berne, Michael keating, Niall Morris and Dominic ryan as well as the likes of Bernard Jackman and Malcolm Okelly. cJ van der Linde is also included after featuring for the Springboks. in addition, Leinster can call upon the likes of John Fogarty, Fergus McFadden, Mike ross and Devin Toner who were all involved recently for ireland A as players seek to stake a claim to be involved in first of crucial back-to-back Heineken cup ties against Llanelli next weekend. Leinster defence coach kurt McQuilkin said: weve been hard at work preparing for the next block of Magners League and then the two Heineken cup games over a busy December period. The Dragons are the top welsh club in the Magners League at the moment and have a fairly steady squad in terms of players who were missing during the international window. They will be difficult opponents. leinsteR sqUAd v dRAGons M flanagan, J fogarty, T Hogan, B Jackman, S Keogh, R McCormack, J Mcgrath, M OKelly, M Ross, R Ruddock, D Ryan, P Ryan, R Strauss, D Toner, CJ van der linde, S Berne, g Dempsey, C Keane, D Kearney, M Keating, S Keogh, I Madigan, f Mcfadden, Ian McKinley, n Morris, E OMalley 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.html