George Hook becomes Irish ambassador to the US, Nigel Owens retires, the GAA make coloured boots a black card offence and more.
8. George Hook becomes Irish ambassador to the US.
Anybody listening to Newstalk this morning may have had to readjust their early morning ears as they thought 'did I really just hear that?' as it was announced that the RTÉ rugby pundit was to become the Irish ambassador to the US.
Then you realised what day it was.
7. Cardiff City to rename stadium "The Dragon's Lair".
There's a chance this could be real, given you know, crazy Vincent 'n' all.
6. Garth Brooks cancelling Croke Park concerts, "couldn't be arsed".
If only, Jarlath.
5. The Man City moonslide.
The most elaborate sports-related April Fools joke of the days goes to Man City and their 'moonslide' which would allow ticket holders to rapidly exit the stadium on matchdays.
Incorporated in the design for the new South Stand, Lo’s seminal work will be a towering 1,204 feet and will be put to practical use on match days as well as being available for use on non-match days. It will be one of the interactive centre-pieces of the Etihad Campus incorporating the City Football Academy.
They even have graphics.
4. Ireland in the World Cup?
France could be thrown out of the World Cup due to Nicolas Anekla's quenelle gesture, say The Irish Times.
A senior Fifa official in Sao Paulo, Falip Orol, insisted there were no moves afoot to change the tournament lineup. However, other sources said Fifa executives were “quietly excited” at the idea of Roy Keane, Ireland’s assistant manager, getting another chance to appear at a World Cup after Saipan.
3. Nigel Owens retires.
Thought long and hard about it. Its the toughest decision I have had to make. But Munster v Toulouse on Saturday will be my last match refin
— Nigel Owens (@Nigelrefowens) April 1, 2014
Right better let u lovely tweeters who fell for the retirement tweet that it's April 1st today. So was an April fool ha. Have a good day all
— Nigel Owens (@Nigelrefowens) April 1, 2014
2. Mayo find their marquee forward.
Could this be the move that finally ends that Mayo drought?
The Mayo News can exclusively reveal that D’alo Folprisay from the tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu has been added to the county senior squad by Mayo manager James Horan after he witnessed Folprisay star in a club match in Achill two weeks ago.
The 20-something speed merchant moved to Ireland earlier this year to take up a job as a surfing instructor on Achill Island and has made a big impact in the local community.
The ‘gentle giant’, who is 6’5” inches tall and weighs approx 18 stone, 10 pounds, looks set to train with Mayo tonight (Tuesday, April 1) and could feature against Derry on Sunday.
1. Wearing of coloured boots of a black card offence.
The GAA really have gone too far with the black card.
The GAA has today confirmed that the wearing of coloured boots will now be an automatic black card offence following on from rule changes which were implemented at a recent Ard Chomhairle meeting.
In recent years a number of different colours, such as yellow, green, blue and red have become increasingly prominent on the footwear that players choose to wear whilst participating in our games. This rule change will ensure that all players must wear predominantly black boots.
In the interest of fairness, the new rule states that only 90 per cent of the boot must be black which will allow players to express their creativity and colour preferences in the remaining 10 per cent. All players are advised to note this rule change will apply to all 2014 Championship fixtures, and from 2015 onwards will apply to all GAA matches.
