DUBLIN, Ireland -- Brian ODriscoll put on a show to remember in his last home test by spearheading Ireland to a 46-7 win over Italy at Lansdowne Road on Saturday and setting up their Six Nations closer in Paris next week as the title decider. While history counts against Ireland in Paris, where they havent won since 2000, ODriscoll said they have the momentum and ability to win their second Six Nations in 29 years at the expense of France. Ireland leads the standings with a points differential of plus 81, while next-best England, hosting Wales on Sunday, was at plus 21. "We go to France with huge positivity," he said. "Were capable of doing great things and we have to start next week by trying to win a second championship with this unit of players." ODriscolls final bow at home in an illustrious 15-year international career was his 140th test, making him world rugbys most capped player. He played for only 62 minutes, walking off to a standing ovation, but had a hand in three of Irelands four tries by then. After he left, Ireland poured in three more tries as Italy tired in having to make more than 200 tackles. Bemused by all the attention and embarrassed to be named man of the match, he addressed the packed crowd and the meaning of the day finally got to him. "I feel really humbled by the reaction today," he said, misty-eyed. "It seems a bit of a joke to get man of the match for 60 minutes. "Ive loved my time playing in this jersey and unfortunately it does have to come to an end, and Im glad Ive got to go out at home with a big win." It was a tribute to ODriscoll that he produced his best game of the championship in an emotionally charged atmosphere that ramped up when he led the team out. For the hour he spent in the game, he was in the middle of all the main moments. His no-look flick over his left shoulder sent flyhalf Jonathan Sexton, on the loop around, scampering past the bewitched defence and to the try-line just six minutes in. Coach Joe Schmidt called ODriscoll a magician. The man himself said, "I take as much satisfaction in setting up tries as scoring them, I have to these days, I dont tend to get too many myself anymore." The tackling on both sides took a quick toll: Tighthead prop Martin Castrogiovanni, extending his Italy caps record to 105, walked off with broken ribs, then Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray with nausea. Italy contributed to the occasion with backplay that was genuinely threatening. When Ireland accidentally conceded possession on halfway, Italys attack appeared to die when the ball was jolted by Ireland wing Andrew Trimble. But ODriscoll booted the ball straight to Italy wing Leonardo Sarto, who blasted off. Sarto ran through fullback Rob Kearney and inside his winger brother Dave for the first try Ireland has conceded at home in the championship. After replacement scrumhalf Eoin Reddan almost scored from a solo dart, Sexton regained the lead for Ireland with a penalty for 10-7. With Italy on the ascendency heading toward the interval, it lost possession on the Ireland 22 and the hosts counterattacked. Rob Kearney surged to the Italy 22, Ireland went through the phases, and finally ODriscoll unlocked the defence in a crowd with a basketball pass to Trimble, who was too close to the line to be stopped. Ireland went to the break 17-7 up. Irelands third try came in the 53rd, a tap penalty leading to prop Cian Healy scoring with a helpful shove from Paul OConnell, then walking straight to the bench. ODriscoll found himself in space but, too slow to have a go, he ran across field looking for support, only to be levelled. After regaining his wind, he then featured in Sextons second try with another offload, a reverse flick to Rob Kearney, who fed brother Dave, who found Sexton inside. That was enough for Sexton, whose Racing Metro club thought he couldnt play with an injured thumb, and ODriscoll, who was replaced by Fergus McFadden, who scored a try as Italy ran out of gas. Further tries to replacement forwards Sean Cronin and Jack McGrath further overwhelmed Italy. . -- Brandon Hope stopped 46 shots and Kurtis MacDermid scored with 27 seconds remaining in overtime as the Owen Sound Attack edged the visiting Kingston Frontenacs 5-4 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. . TSN platforms will broadcast 75+ live games per season – tripling the networks current slate of MLB games. With the new deal TSN retains rights to ESPNs SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL and, for the first time, acquires rights to ESPNs MONDAY NIGHT BASEBALL and WEDNESDAY NIGHT BASEBALL.
http://www.cheapadidashockeyjerseys.com/.C. -- When Michael Jordan speaks, people still listen. . - Pierre-Maxime Poudrier scored twice and added an assist, and Antoine Bibeau made 43 saves as the Val-dOr Foreur downed the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 6-3 on Sunday to force Game 7 in their Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final series. . The club says its first-choice centre back "underwent medical tests on Wednesday morning" which confirmed he has injured his right hamstring. The injury was caused in the second minute of Tuesdays 4-1 league win over Real Sociedad in the Camp Nou when teammate Sergio Busquets accidentally struck Mascherano just above the knee with an outstretched boot. OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City defensive specialist Serge Ibaka is expected to miss the rest of the NBA playoffs because of a left calf injury. The 6-foot-10 forward had an MRI on Friday, a day after the Thunder eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers and advanced to the Western Conference finals against the Spurs. Game 1 is Monday night in San Antonio. Thunder general manager Sam Presti called it a Grade 2 strain of the plantaris, which takes time to heal and strengthen because of a high re-injury rate. Ibaka was injured during the third quarter Thursday night. "I just want to express our disappointment for Serge, who, as we all know, is an elite competitor and someone that has proven to be a tremendous teammate," Presti said. "He was playing great basketball throughout the season. Hes had a huge impact on our season to date." Last year, All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook was knocked out of the playoffs with a torn ACL in the first round against Houston. The Thunder rallied to win that series before losing to Memphis in the next round. Presti believes the Thunder can rally and be ready for the Spurs. "We have had tthis group together for a while, and theyve been through some ups and downs, and this is just another one that hopefully is only going to make us better," Presti said.dddddddddddd Ibakas athletic ability and mid-range jumper have been keys for the Thunder. He averaged 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 13 post-season games. During the 2013-14 regular season, he had career highs with averages of 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds while leading the league in total blocks for the fourth consecutive season with 219. During his emotional MVP acceptance speech, Kevin Durant singled out Ibaka for stepping up and erasing many of the teams mistakes while Westbrook recovered from his most recent knee surgery. While Westbrook was out, the Thunder went 20-7, and Ibakas numbers jumped to 15.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks with 57 per cent shooting from the field. "For us, we as an organization have been in some situations in the past, and how we respond to those has always been the measure of the teams that weve had in Oklahoma City," Presti said. "Our expectation going forward is that well respond admirably." ' ' '
