Stephan Ward admits to living the Republic dream - Football
Published: 25 May 2012 - 06:17:01
Stephen Ward admits he has to pinch himself when he contemplates the prospect of running out for the Republic of Ireland at the Euro 2012 finals.
The 26-year-old Wolves full-back is a relative newcomer to the squad with only 10 senior caps to his name to date, but he has established himself as a key member of Giovanni Trapattoni's first-choice back four. Indeed, he is the only fully fit member of that back four ahead of Saturday's friendly against Bosnia at the Aviva Stadium.
However, simply preparing for the finals of a major tournament is a dream come true for a man who was a schoolboy the last time Ireland made it on to the big stage a decade ago. Ward said: "Just to be in and around it here and be in the squad is something I could only have dreamed of."
He added: "I pass by houses of my friends on the way to the training ground and the flags and everything are out, so it's a little bit surreal. But we have arrived and we need to cherish every moment.
"I have said many a time that a lot of your fondest childhood memories are when Ireland have been in major tournaments. You remember everything that happened, the goals, the parties when they came back, and to be on the other side of the fence is something I can only ever have dreamed of as a kid."
The Republic, of course, came within a hair's breadth of the reaching the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002 when they were beaten on penalties by Spain in Suwon despite going into the tournament without skipper Roy Keane following his infamous Saipan bust-up with manager Mick McCarthy.
Spain will once again stand between the Irish and their hopes of qualification this time around with the current World and European champions vying with Trapattoni's men, Italy and Croatia for a way out of Group C.
Ward is well aware of the severity of the challenge, but he remains convinced Ireland can progress.
He said: "I don't think we would be going there if we didn't think we could get out of it. We are under no illusions that it's a strong group and we are going to come up against some really good sides.
"But if you look at us as a team and how we play and the manager we have, he is world-class and he gets the best from us as a squad of players. We feel on our day we can frustrate anyone and be a match for any side, so there's no reason why we can't go there and cause a few upsets."
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Monstrous’ turbine plan sparks fury (From The Bolton News) - The Bolton News
‘Monstrous’ turbine plan sparks fury
9:05am Friday 25th May 2012 in News
A FARMER went head-to-head with neighbours and councillors over plans to put up a 164ft tall wind turbine.
Andy Paton wants to put up the turbine at Birches Farm in Turton — which would be in Bolton, but Bury Council has a say on the plans because Bury residents would be able to see it.
After a fierce debate in Bury Town Hall, Bury Council decided not to oppose the plan and leave the decision with Bolton Council.
There are already two 59ft-tall turbines on Mr Paton’s land and a third would provide enough power for 300 homes, he said.
The National Grid would then pay Mr Paton for providing the energy — but not everyone is happy.
Joanne Wilcock, chairman of the Affetside Society, told the planning committee meeting that more information was needed.
She said: “There is no noise survey information.
“We can’t make a judgement without such vital information.
“Over 100 Affetside residents oppose this idea and we need more time to consider the evidence.”
Bury Council’s development manager Dave Marno said: “Bolton Council will have gathered a great deal of evidence about this application and will make an informed decision at the right time.
“It is the council’s position that we do not object and we let Bolton make the decision.”
Cllr Iain Gartside, who represents Tottington, said: “The council officers must remember they are only one third of this town’s representation.
“There is also the residents and elected members. To convey a message that we have no objection would not be a correct state of affairs.”
Cllr Yvonne Wright, who is on the committee, said: “A third turbine would look monstrous.
“I find the council officers’ assumption that we should not object to be very offensive.”
Mr Paton defended his application, saying it would be “madness” to rely on expensive imported energy.
He said: “The turbine would save us money, help us employ workers and help the environment.
“I care passionately about my land. It is my shop floor. This is a business decision with many benefits.”
Mr Paton applied to Bolton Council for planning permission in December but has now withdrawn the application due to a technical issue.
He intends to resubmit the application soon and the council would then begin a consultation period before making a decision later this year.
Eurovision: I was misquoted, Spanish entrant insists - BBC News
Spain's Eurovision entrant has denied reports she was asked not to win by her country's public television channel.
Pastora Soler told the BBC she had been misquoted by a "very bad" journalist.
Her comments followed a widely circulated story that quoted her as saying Spain would struggle to host the event if she were to win this weekend.
Speaking on Friday, she insisted that "Spanish public television want to win and me too".
"We want to win this Eurovision," Soler told the BBC World Service. "If we win, Spain be very happy with us."
It is written in the contest rules that the public broadcaster of the nation that wins must host the following year.
"Spain have a lot of place to have the competition," the singer went on. "It's not a problem for us."
Her remarks followed an earlier interview she gave to ABC Punto Radio in which she said Spain's TVE channel would find it "really difficult" to stage the contest.
"If we were to win, it will be impossible because of the costs," she said, in an interview translated from her native tongue.
During the interview she joked that the broadcaster had asked her not to win, but immediately added that "of course" they had not actually done so.
FavouritePastora Soler will sing her ballad Quedate Conmigo (Stay With Me) at Saturday's final, to be held in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku.
Spain last won the competition in 1969, when it shared a four-way tie with the UK, the Netherlands and France.
Thursday saw 10 more countries named finalists in the second semi-final held ahead of Saturday's main event.
Swedish entrant Loreen, considered by some to be the favourite this year, was among the successful acts to go through.
Lithuania, Malta, Norway and Turkey were among the other nations to join the 26 finalists.
The evening saw eight countries eliminated from the competition, among them Bulgaria, Croatia, Portugal and the Netherlands.
Elton John cancels Vegas shows on doctors' orders - BBC News
Sir Elton John has pulled out of three performances of his current Las Vegas residency, after being taken to hospital with a respiratory infection.
The singer was admitted to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre on Wednesday, but released the same day.
Doctors have advised the 65-year-old star against working while he completes a course of antibiotics.
The remaining 11 concerts of his Million Dollar Piano residency at Caesars Palace take place in October.
"Elton developed a serious respiratory infection last weekend while performing at The Colosseum on Sunday, May 20," said a statement by his publicist, Fran Curtis.
"This week the condition worsened, even with medication and rest, resulting in Elton being hospitalised."
The statement added that the singer underwent "extensive tests" and was recommended to take "complete rest" for "approximately seven days... to cure his respiratory infection and prevent any damage".
Sir Elton added his own apologies: "All I can say to the fans is 'sorry I can't be with you'."
"I love performing the show and I will be thrilled when we return to the Colosseum in October to complete the 11 concerts."
Sir Elton was previously forced to cancel two concerts in February, after he came down with food poisoning.
Gibb dedication
The singer, whose hits include Your Song and Candle in the Wind, began his three-year headlining stint in Las Vegas in September last year.
Earlier this week, he dedicated his track Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me to Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who died at the weekend.
"The Bee Gees were part of my life when I was growing up; they were a huge influence on me as a songwriter," he told the audience. "Travel well Robin - you were amazing. God bless you."
The singer is expected to perform at The Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on 4 June, before embarking on a tour of Europe in June and July.
He returns to the United States and Canada for a series of concerts in September, before completing the Las Vegas residency.
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