Folks,
98FM’s weekly sports show “Now That’s What I Call
Sport” airs every Sunday morning from 9-10am.
Sport” airs every Sunday morning from 9-10am.
Presented by myself Johnny Lyons, this week’s show
broadcast on Sunday May 27th features the following guests :
broadcast on Sunday May 27th features the following guests :
1. Arina Rodionova –
We might have got in the habit again of
exporting Mommy’s dearest but would you beggar believe it they’re still comin’
the other way !
exporting Mommy’s dearest but would you beggar believe it they’re still comin’
the other way !
And we’ve a fascinating arrival in the shape of
Arina who’s perched just outside the top 100 in womens tennis.
Arina who’s perched just outside the top 100 in womens tennis.
Now why is a Russian tennis player domiciled in
Ireland ?
Ireland ?
Well that’s my first question and in tandem with
Tennis Ireland she’s well impressed with the facilities here and – you know -
why not use Dublin and specifically the magnificent Riverview complex in
Clonskeagh as your base as she travels around the globe?
Tennis Ireland she’s well impressed with the facilities here and – you know -
why not use Dublin and specifically the magnificent Riverview complex in
Clonskeagh as your base as she travels around the globe?
Arina is in and around the 120 mark in singles -
she’s a former winner of the junior doubles at the Australian Open one of the
Grand Slams – and counts as her buddies the Williamses Venus and Serena
!
she’s a former winner of the junior doubles at the Australian Open one of the
Grand Slams – and counts as her buddies the Williamses Venus and Serena
!
And let’s not forget my remarkable display of
professional integrity when she asked my opinion about women tennis players
- yes the world’s heart stopped breathing for a moment but of course my opinion
as an unworthy hack is irrelevant and so I demurred ! Such restraint Johnny
such restraint !
professional integrity when she asked my opinion about women tennis players
- yes the world’s heart stopped breathing for a moment but of course my opinion
as an unworthy hack is irrelevant and so I demurred ! Such restraint Johnny
such restraint !
Oh and I’d like to talk to the Polish taxi driver
who charged her 15 euro from O’Connell St to our offices here in Grand Canal
Quay !
who charged her 15 euro from O’Connell St to our offices here in Grand Canal
Quay !
You know that well worn phrase – the more things
change the more they stay the same !
change the more they stay the same !
2. Hurling Compendium -
With the Dubs playing their Leinster Hurling Championship opener against
Laois in Portlaoise on Saturday week, we kitted out the Hairy Man with bazooka,
howitzer and rocket launcher (thanks to my Tunnock’s buddy Gav for that one !) (
and GAA hurling heads just kiddin’ honestly !) and he got down and dirty with
the hurling trio of Danny Sutcliffe, Paul Schutte and Ryan O’Dwyer.
Laois in Portlaoise on Saturday week, we kitted out the Hairy Man with bazooka,
howitzer and rocket launcher (thanks to my Tunnock’s buddy Gav for that one !) (
and GAA hurling heads just kiddin’ honestly !) and he got down and dirty with
the hurling trio of Danny Sutcliffe, Paul Schutte and Ryan O’Dwyer.
Watch out for the sliothar Hairy Man !
3. Richard Hayden -
The Irish are already one up going into the Euros!
That’s cos one of our own Richard Hayden from Kilkenny has been over every
blade of grass in Poznan !
blade of grass in Poznan !
He’s one of the head honchos at the Sports Turf Research Institute which is
behind the design, construction and maintenance of the pitch in Poznan where
Ireland play their Euro 2012 matches against Croatia and Italy.
behind the design, construction and maintenance of the pitch in Poznan where
Ireland play their Euro 2012 matches against Croatia and Italy.
And the STRI are responsible for the matches in Euro co hosts Ukraine, the
Olympics in London and the World Cup in Brazil in 2016 !
Olympics in London and the World Cup in Brazil in 2016 !
It’s not all foreign travel (though he did spend eight months in Ukraine)
as they were also responsible for the new Aviva Stadium sward.
as they were also responsible for the new Aviva Stadium sward.
An interesting man with some fascinating tales !
4. Jordi Cruyff -
Ah the tears are welling up in me and rollin down me cheeks!
Sweet emotion ! (Trivia fans and Dermy Ramone it’s by Aerosmith!).
Now how many guys do you ever get to say to them “Your father shaped my
life”.
life”.
But that’s the way it was with Jordi whose dad Johan – the greatest
footballer in the world ever – is my hero and the guy responsible for why I’m
writing this blog !
footballer in the world ever – is my hero and the guy responsible for why I’m
writing this blog !
Jordi didn’t have the skills of his da but he was a decent enough
footballer with Barcelona and Manchester United and played in that remarkable
UEFA Cup final with Alaves which they lost 5-4 to Liverpool early in the
noughties.
footballer with Barcelona and Manchester United and played in that remarkable
UEFA Cup final with Alaves which they lost 5-4 to Liverpool early in the
noughties.
In the first part of a two part interview, the Flying Dutchman talks about
Euro 2012.
Euro 2012.
Competition:
5 copies of ” The Irish Fan’s Guide To Euro 2012 “ by Damien Moran to
give away.
give away.
Thanks,
Johnny.
