widely panned by some Cleveland from zgr123's blog
Connacht earned a home Guinness PRO12 semi-final courtesy of a 14-7 win over Glasgow Warriors at a rain-soaked Sportsground. Larry Nance Jersey . The 14-man Warriors, who had their Tongan prop Sila Puafisi sent off, finished just behind second-placed Connacht in the table and will make the return trip to Galway in two weeks time, live on Sky Sports. The Sky Sports panel discuss the thrilling conclusion to the Guinness PRO12 regular season Pat Lams men will hope for a repeat result as they strive to reach their first final at the end of what is already the Irish provinces best league campaign. Bundee Akis 17th-minute try gave the westerners a 7-0 half-time lead, with Finn Russell missing two kickable penalties for Glasgow. Stuart Hogg is tackled by Connacht duo John Muldoon and Nidi Adeolokun Gordon Reids well-taken try tied things up, but his front row colleague Puafisi was sent off in the 49th minute for a dangerous head-first challenge on Kieran Marmion.Replacement Shane OLeary provided the assist and conversion for Tiernan OHallorans vital 59th-minute touchdown, and the hosts saw out the hard-fought victory with some defiant late defence. PRO12 play-offs confirmed Connacht to host Glasgow while Ulster visit Leinster Russell sent an early penalty wide after Leone Nakarawa had slipped clean through from a ruck to launch Glasgows first attack from deep.A nervy Russell also overcooked a touch-finder but Nakarawa soon broke the line again, stretching the home defence until prop Reid knocked on in the 22. Bundee Aki scores Connachts first try But Connacht were clinical from their very first attack, Marmion and AJ MacGinty linking smartly off a close-range maul before Aki used his power to make it over by the posts. MacGinty converted for 7-0.A scrum penalty was nudged wide by Russell and with Sean OBrien and Ultan Dillane leading a resolute Connacht defence, the Warriors remained scoreless. Five-try Munster beat Scarlets Munster secure Champions Cup place with 31-15 victory Aki, who continued to threaten off limited ball, was a pass away from putting Robbie Henshaw over and their captain John Muldoon was also denied just a metre out.The home side were unable to profit from a snappy break by Marmion, the Ireland scrum-half hardly putting a foot wrong on his 100th appearance for Connacht. Gordon Reid celebrates scoring his second-half try However, the Warriors were level within seven minutes of the restart. They won a series of penalties and prop Reid managed to crash over off the back of a close-in ruck. Russells extras made it 7-7.Connacht quickly got back into scoring range, though, and as tempers flared, input from TMO Olly Hodges saw referee Ian Davies dismiss Puafisi for leading with the head on Marmion at a ruck.The home side, who had to move hooker Tom McCartney to loosehead in a patched-up front row, should have scored from Marmions blindside burst off a scrum and flanker OBrien was also thwarted near the posts. Tiernan OHalloran beats Stuart Hogg to score Connachts second try The breakthrough finally came when full-back OHalloran rose above his opposite number Stuart Hogg to collect OLearys cross-field kick and dot down wide on the right.The conversion was added by OLeary before a smashing break by Simone Favaro and kick ahead almost put Hogg in for a quick response. Ulster secure play-off spot Irish province score six tries in 46-26 victory at Ospreys Some superb handling had Glasgow hammering on the door again with five minutes left, but Connacht forced another error and a final ruck penalty was enough to see them home. Louis Williams Jersey . Many of those eyes are in the United States of America, a country that the sport has wanted on its side for some time. On Sunday the football Gods delivered once again, only this time it was time for good old USA to experience as much heartache as joy. Jamaal Wilkes Jersey . The team announced the defensive coordinator will not be offered a contract extension.BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns fired their coach after one season. Now theyre sweeping out their front office. Owner Jimmy Haslam announced Tuesday that CEO Joe Banner will step down in the next two months and general manager Michael Lombardi is leaving the team. "Mike and Joe have left us in good position in terms of free agency and cap space as well as this years draft, where we have 10 overall picks and three of the first 35," Haslam said at a news conference. Its yet another stunning development for a franchise that has undergone nearly constant change in the past 15 years. Haslam also said assistant GM Ray Farmer, who was pursued by Miami to be the Dolphins GM this winter, has been promoted and will immediately take the over the teams football operations and lead the Browns during free agency and draft. Cleveland has two first-round picks in Mays draft and is well under the salary cap to spend on free agents. Haslam added that president Alec Scheiner will keep his current role. "Alec Scheiner will run our business side and remain as president, Mike Pettine will be our head coach and Ray Farmer will be our GM," Haslam said. "We will not have a CEO and those three people will report directly to me." The shake-up comes one month after the Browns finally hired coach Mike Pettine. Banner and Haslam had fired coach Rob Chudzinski after a 4-12 season, the teams sixth straight with at least 11 losses. Wisconsin said Tuesday that coach Gary Andersen was contacted by the Cleveland Browns for their coaching vacancy but decided not to pursue the position following a conversation with the NFL team, which spent 25 days to hire Pettine. "Mike will have final say on the 45-man roster-- who plays on Sundays-- and Ray will have final say on the 53-plaayer roster," Haslam said. Brandon Bass Jersey. Banner, who previously worked in Philadelphia, was hired by Haslam to run the team shortly after his ownership was approved by the league in 2012. "We appreciate Joes contributions to the Cleveland Browns, especially in helping us as new owners," Haslam said in a release. "He was committed to creating a successful organization and bringing in talented individuals. We thank him for his work and dedication. We wish him and his family the best." Banner will transition out of his job over the next two months. "It is bittersweet leaving the Browns organization," Banner said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Jimmy Haslam and helping him set the infrastructure for this franchise. I am proud of the talented individuals we brought in to help lead this team and feel that the Cleveland Browns are in good hands moving forward." Lombardis departure ends a curious second stint with the team. His hiring was widely panned by some Cleveland media members and many fans because of his time with coach Bill Belichick when he was Clevelands coach. Lombardi kept a low profile over the past year in Cleveland and was not in attendance at any major news conferences. "Were also grateful for Mike Lombardis efforts and commitment since rejoining our organization," Haslam said. "He is an experienced and creative NFL executive with a unique ability to see the big picture. He has tremendous instincts and I know hell be a valuable addition to any NFL organization. We simply wanted to give Ray this opportunity that hes earned. We wanted to move forward under his leadership and capabilities." AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia, contributed to this report. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
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