D Thursday, December 3, 2009 METROSPORT 29 gaa Morans Aussie Rules hopes end Returning home: Kerrys David Moran Kerry ace David Moran has returned home without an Aussie rules contract just in time for Sundays Munster club final, writes Paul Keane. Moran jetted out to St Kilda last month with club and county colleague Tommy Walsh, who was handed a two-year contract. But after a two-week trial, Moran confirmed yesterday he has not been offered a rookie deal. It is a blow to the 21-year olds hopes of a professional career Down Under alongside pal Walsh. But on the plus side he will take part in the biggest club game of his career on Sunday for Kerins Orahillys. The Tralee outfit face Clares Kilmurry-Ibrickane in the provincial decider for a place in the All-Ireland semi-final. I was happy to get the chance with St Kilda but I was closely monitoring my own clubs progress over the past month too, said Moran, son of Kerry legend Ogie. My focus will now turn to helping us compete for our first ever Munster club title. Im in good shape and Im looking forward to achieving something with the club. St Kilda coach ross Lyon said they will continue to monitor Morans progress. But Kerry boss Jack OConnor has his own plans for the player who is billed as Darragh Ss long-term midfield successor. Former AllStar nominee goalkeeper Brendan murphy is on the verge of an unlikely return to the meath panel. The ex-Wimbledon keeper took up county football late in his career in 2006 and won an AllStar nomination in 2007 before dramatically returning to soccer last January. He has now informed boss eamonn oBrien that hes keen on joining meath again and at 34 would compete with David Gallagher and Paddy orourke for the No.1 shirt. Meeting on McCarthy Limerick hurling manager Justin mccarthy will come before a potentially explosive gathering of club delegates tonight. mccarthy has confirmed he will attend a specially convened meeting to discuss the crisis surrounding the county panel. The experienced boss recently axed 12 regular players prompting eight more to quit in frustration. So far the boss has been backed by the board but things could change if the mood turns against him at tonights private meeting. The delegates obviously have some questions to ask and they are obviously entitled to some answers, said Limerick chairman Liam Lenihan. Justin is the manager of the county senior hurling team and as manager he has to account for himself and his actions. How the meeting goes is totally up to the clubs. Any club delegate is entitled to get up and propose anything and then its down to the other delegates to vote on that. The whole idea of the meeting is to get this sorted out. Moment of truth: McCarthy rUGBY: Jamie roberts has been given a chance to avenge Wales defeat by New Zealand last month after being selected at inside centre for the Barbarians. The Barbarians face the All Blacks, who won 19-12 in Cardiff, at Twickenham on Saturday. Springbok lock Victor matfield will captain a side containing 925 caps, heading a seven-strong South African contingent. Team: D mitchell (Australia); J rokocoko (N Zealand), J Fourie (S Africa), J roberts (Wales), B Habana (S Africa); m Giteau (Australia), F du Preez (S Africa); S Perugini (Italy), B du Plessis (S Africa), W P Nel (uncapped), C del Fava (Italy), V matfield (S Africa, capt), r elsom (Australia), S Burger (S Africa), G Smith (Australia). RACING: Davy Russell was seen to great effect on Oscar Dan Dan (11-2) when getting the better of Tony McCoy and Ninetieth Minute in the Bar One Racing Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Hes come back a different horse this year as hes grown up and got stronger and Im delighted hes won as he wont have to go chasing yet, said trainer Willie Mullins. Well look at the big staying races for him and although Big Bucks wont be shivering in his boots, maybe hell be able to hold his own. BoXING: Danny Green will go down in Australian boxing folklore after his stunning first-round knockout of boxing great roy Jones Jr last night. The 36-year-old from Perth retained his IBo cruiserweight title in Sydney and it took him just two minutes and two seconds to defeat the man once regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. However, Jones, 40, who was hoping to go on to face fellow aging legend Bernard Hopkins early next year has now indicated he will retire for a second time. SPORTDigest Hitting the canvas: Jones cricket gOLF ireLAndS most-capped cricketer kyle mccallan has yesterday announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. The 34-year-old made 226 appearances for ireland, scoring 3,616 runs at an average of 23.33 and he also took 256 wickets. He also captained the side a record 54 times. mccallan informed cricket ireland of his decision yesterday and today revealed his reasons, saying: ive got to think of my time after cricket, and ive now reached the stage where my career in teaching and my family have to take priority. i could have gone on for a while yet, but with the World cup just 15 months away, that wouldnt have been fair on [coach] Phil [Simmons], and the rest of the squad. There are family matters to consider as playing international cricket with the increased schedule over the past number of years has required an incredible effort. ive been playing at international level for ireland for a long time, and i just dont feel able to commit to that any more. Record-holder McCallan quits Ireland Quitting: McCallan Show goes on with leading man absentBy peTeR ReGAN Missing: Woods will not compete in his own event GOLFerS stunned by the scandal engulfing TigerWoods return to action today doing their best not to be distracted by the events of the last week. Woods yesterday issued an astonishing apology for per- sonal sins and failings as the fallout from his car crash last Friday continued. Woods crashed into a fire hydrant and tree outside his home in Florida in the early hours of the morning, suffer- ing facial lacerations which required hospital treatment. The accident led to frenzied speculation about the world no.1s private life and the 33- year-old responded with a statement on his personal website. it read: i have let my family down and i regret those transgressions with all of my heart. i have not been true to my values and the behaviour my family deserves. The 14-times major winner was scheduled to compete in his own tournament, the chevron World challenge, in california, that starts today, but pulled out on monday cit- ing the injuries suffered in the crash and is not scheduled to play again until next year. His rivals will carry on, though, with european no.1 Lee Westwood insisting a win at the event would still be spe- cial. i think there will be a lot of disappointed people with Tigers foundation being con- nected to this event, he said. Tiger himself will be disap- pointed. im sure hed like to be supporting the event.Any event with Tiger Woods in the field, everybody looks at it as want- ing to win. But you can only play against the field that is put in front of you. Tournament wins are very hard to come by now, so to win this week would still be very, very special. RORy McIlROy will look to bounce back from recent disappointments at this weeks Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa. McIlroy was pipped to the european money list title by lee Westwood last month and the 20-year-old then teamed up with Graeme McDowell at the World Cup in China only to be beaten by a shot by Italys edoardo and Francesco Molinari. And McIlroy, now in the worlds top ten, is now aiming to shake off the effects of a long season with victory at Sun City in the 12-man field. Myself and G-Mac [McDowell] were obviously disappointed that we didnt win at Mission Hills but we played great together and really enjoyed ourselves, McIlroy said. Im sure myself and Graeme will have plenty more chances in the future of taking the World Cup back to Ireland. Rory seeks Sun success See News Page 9 Picture:Getty 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