Croke Park Faces NFL Competition

Dublin's Croke Park faces competition from four major European cities – London, Munich, Frankfurt and Edinburgh – to host an NFL regular season game in the next 18 months.

Tentative enquiries have taken place since January this year but an NFL delegation arrives in Dublin tomorrow, where they will be greeted by the Lord Mayor Andrew Montague, before inspecting GAA headquarters.

The suitability of Croke Park will be compared with Wembley, which has hosted the most recent NFL games in Europe. London as a venue, however, has become a difficult logistical proposition next year due to the Olympic Games.

Other stadiums under review by the NFL are believed to be the two German stadiums in Frankfurt and Munich. The Commerzbank-Arena only has a capacity of 48,000 in comparison to Croke Park’s full house of 82,300. However, this venue has links to the sport, having been the home patch of the Frankfurt Galaxy until NFL Europe folded in 2007.

The Olympic stadium in Munich is the other option with its capacity of 69,250.

Murrayfield, the Scottish rugby union ground in Edinburgh, with its capacity of 67,130, is believed to be another contender but it struggles to get decent numbers for Edinburgh rugby matches.

NFL teams played at Croke Park before the stadium was completely revamped. On June 27th, 1997 the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Chicago Bears 30-17. Should Dublin be chosen as the venue, the Steelers would be strong contenders to return as their chairman emeritus Dan Rooney is the United States ambassador to Ireland. His father, Art Rooney, founded the franchise as the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1933.

Rooney is not directly involved in the current negotiations but he has been a regular guest of the GAA at Croke Park and provided advice ahead of the NFL visit.

Another potentially significant factor in American Football coming to Croke Park, in 2012 at least, is the Aviva Stadium has already secured the Notre Dame versus Navy game for September 1st next year (a fixture previously hosted by Croke Park in November, 1996) – 20,000 American tourists are expected to visit Ireland for that event.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who will not be part of tomorrow’s delegation, mentioned Croke Park as a potential venue in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated.

Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna and his staff will host the Americans. “They will be examining our facilities; the pitch, the corporate area, our television viewpoints and all other aspects of the stadium,” said McKenna. “We believe Croke Park will make a strong impression.

“They will be looking at the four- and five-star hotels in Dublin and the transport infrastructure so it is a case of us as a stadium and the whole city putting our best foot forward. We have co-operation from a number of senior tourist officials to assist us. This would be more than just a NFL game; it is a week-long festival.

“It would provide a huge economic boost to secure a NFL game at Croke Park,” McKenna added. “And not just for the GAA but for the entire city. There are massive benefits from such a worldwide event coming here.”

Croke Park is a proven venue for hosting major sporting events. The All-Ireland finals every September are an obvious example. In 2003 Nelson Mandela was guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics.

McKenna can also cite the three U2 360-tour concerts in 2009 that saw 250,000 spectators enter the stadium over three nights.

There was also the hosting of soccer (against France) and rugby (against Australia) internationals over successive days in November, 2009. The stadium was commercially flipped and the pitch manicured in just 14 hours. The previous November saw the biggest ever attended provincial rugby match in Ireland as Leinster defeated Munster 25-6 in the Heineken Cup semi-final.

Ironically, a major delegation of GAA officials is currently in San Francisco as part of the annual All Star hurling tour.

Sparky is Sunderland Favourite

Mark Hughes is the leading choice to be the next Sunderland manager ahead of bookmakers' favourite Martin O'Neill, BBC Sport understands.

Hughes, 48, resigned as Fulham boss in June to "further my experiences" and believes the Black Cats can match his ambitions.

Sunderland insist they have no preferred choice to replace Steve Bruce, who was sacked on Wednesday.

Former Aston Villa manager O'Neill, 59, is the bookies' odds-on favourite.

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter Ian Dennis wrote on Twitter: "Sources close to Hughes did not confirm or deny whether there has been contact but did say 'he would be interested in a club with ambition and Sunderland fit that bill'. Club not ruled out making an appt [appointment] by weekend."

Hughes began his managerial career as Wales boss in 1999 before spells with Blackburn and Manchester City. He left Fulham after less than a year in charge.

In October, he reflected on his departure from Craven Cottage, saying: "My ambition for where I wanted to take the club was not matched."

Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed hit back at Hughes, calling him a "strange man" and a "flop".

But former Sunderland defender Michael Gray believes Hughes is the ideal replacement for Bruce.

He told BBC Sport: "I played under Mark Hughes at Ewood Park and I loved it. I know exactly how he works and I think he would be perfect for what Sunderland need right now.

"He is a personality of real stature and has a fine coaching staff, who he takes everywhere with him. He is out on the training ground every single day and knows exactly what he wants from his players."

Hughes enjoyed a distinguished playing career, representing Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn.

O'Neill, who has not had a club since he left Aston Villa in August 2010, has been regularly tipped for vacant posts at high-profile teams in the last 12 months.

Former Liverpool and Aston Villa boss Rafael Benitez and ex-Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti are also among the bookies' leading contenders to replace Bruce.

Sunderland have won only two of their 13 Premier League games this season and are two points above the relegation positions.

MCC Agree New Plan for Lord's

The MCC Committee met at Lord’s on Wedneday and considered a number of enhancement schemes put before it by its Ground Working Party.

It has decided to focus on developing Lord’s on a stand-by-stand basis, and on the Club’s freehold land only.

Oliver Stocken, MCC Chairman, said:“Since the process of looking at the long-term development began some years ago, the Club has always prioritised the fundamental objective of maintaining and enhancing the reputation of Lord’s as the pre-eminent cricket ground in the world and the global home of cricket.

“The Club also made it clear that the Vision for Lord’s project was subject to both the financial viability of the proposed development as a whole and reaching an agreement with the ECB on the number of major matches to be played at Lord’s in the coming years.

“As reported at the AGM earlier this year, the Club has committed £3 million since 2008 on this complicated project.

"However, the Club was awarded the Platinum Package of major matches by the ECB in September 2011, and that has provided the Committee with the confidence to fund a redevelopment scheme on the Club’s freehold land, on its own.

”This is the course of action that the Committee has today decided to pursue.

“MCC would like to thank Almacantar, the property developers with whom we have been working over the last few months, for their work in presenting possible development options to the Club.

”Ultimately, the Committee agreed on the way forward for the long-term redevelopment of Lord’s, probably beginning at the Pavilion End with the rebuilding and enhancement of the Tavern and Allen Stands, which will provide significantly improved amenities.”

Once the Club has produced a revised development plan, supported by a sustainable business plan, consultations will take place with Westminster, the GLA and other interested parties, including the local community.

At the end of this process, the approval of MCC Members for any scheme will be sought.

Celtic Europa Hopes Fading

Celtic's hopes of reaching the knock-out stages of the Europa League are still alive - but only just after losing 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid.

The Hoops were no match for the Spanish side who dominated the game and sealed their progress into the next round with the win.

With Rennes holding Udinese in the other game in Group I, Celtic can still progress if they beat the Italians in their final game.

Brazilian playmaker Diego terrorised the Celtic midfield and defence throughout the game with his trickery and was a constant threat.

Celtic on the other hand will be disappointed they didn't test young Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois more, managing only two shots on target in the game.

From the starting XI which thrashed St Mirren 5-0 at home in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at the weekend, Hooper had surprisingly been dropped for midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng.

Skipper Scott Brown and Mohamed Bangura returned from respective ankle and knee injuries but could only find places on the bench.

The dropping of Hooper, who scored a hat-trick against the Buddies, was perhaps with a view to Sunday's SPL game against Dundee United at Tannadice but it still perplexed the Parkhead crowd, which was seemingly affected by the unusual kick-off time of six o'clock.

With less than a minute gone, following an Atletico corner which Hoops defender Glenn Loovens originally headed clear, Eduardo Salvio headed wide of the target from close range.

Celtic asserted themselves on the game Ki's corner from the right was headed on by Majstorovic and Samaras' close-range flick drew a reaction save from Thibaut Courtois.

Samaras looked in the mood and after motoring down the left and into the Madrid box his cut back from the by-line was cleared by Atletico defender Filipe Luis, with the visiting defence looking as rocky as their Hoops counterparts.

As the driving rain and wind returned, lone striker Stokes took a James Forrest pass and did well to set up Samaras inside a crowded Atletico penalty box but the stretching Greece striker blazed over the bar.

Atletico were slick on the counter but it was from a corner that the Spanish club took the lead through Turan.

Diego's ball from the right was headed clear by Majstorovic only for the Turkey international quickly to drive powerfully back in from 20 yards.

Celtic's stand-in skipper Beram Kayal appeared to dip his head to allow the ball to fizz straight past Forster and into the net.

As the home side wobbled Salvio and Gabi had efforts which missed the target.

In the 37th minute Hoops left-back Joe Ledley had to be replaced by Charlie Mulgrew after picking up an injury which required him to be carried off on a stretcher up the tunnel.

Wanyama was replaced by Hooper for the start of the second half with the former Scunthorpe striker sent up to support Stokes, in what was a show of intent by Lennon.

Atletico, though, started as brightly as they had begun the first period and within two minutes of the restart Gabi had surged forward before sending a shot wide of the target from the edge of the box.

At the other end, moments later, Stokes linked up with Samaras before the Irishman's low drive was saved by Courtois down at his right-hand post.

Salvio again caused problems as the Parkhead defence made a hash of clearing their lines, getting past Majstorovic and Kayal before driving the ball past Forster and across the Hoops goal, finding no takers.

On the hour mark, with Celtic getting a foothold in the game again, Kayal latched onto a Loovens header from a Mulgrew free-kick and sent a volley just wide of the target.

Moments after Courtois made a great save under the bar from Ki's whipped free-kick at the expense of a corner, Hooper had the ball in the net from close range only to see the assistant referee with his flag raised.

Forster then fumbled an in-swinging free-kick from Diego onto the bar and Celtic escaped but the Hoops keeper subsequently did better when he foiled Salvio's attempt to lob the ball over him 12 yards from goal.

Stokes was replaced by Brown in the 75th minute and the home side began pushing for the leveller, which, ultimately, failed to arrive.

Palace Winners at Theatre of Dreams

Manchester United were dumped out of the Carling Cup by Crystal Palace at Old Trafford after Darren Ambrose inspired a 2-1 upset after extra-time.

Palace stunned a second-string Red Devils side on Wednesday evening to join Manchester City, Liverpool and Championship rivals Cardiff in the semi-finals of the tournament.

The visitors were the brighter side in the opening half and finally saw their efforts rewarded in the 65th minute when Ambrose unleashed a screamer from long range to break the deadlock.

United wasted little time in pulling things level, with Federico Macheda scoring from the spot three and a half minutes later after being hauled down in the area by Patrick McCarthy.

Neither side could find the winner before the 90 minutes were up and the game was sent into extra-time locked at 1-1.

It was the visitors that eventually prevailed after Ambrose starred again with a stunning free-kick which substitute Glenn Murray bundled home.

Murray may have been close to straying offside as he got forward for the winner but Palace deserved their success for their endeavour throughout a tight contest.

Changes

United may have made 10 changes but were hardly lacking in senior experience with the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Park Ji-sung, Jonny Evans and Antonio Valencia starting.

Full-back Fabio da Silva was the only survivor from the weekend draw against Newcastle but Chris Smalling returned for his first start since October's infamous 6-1 thrashing by Manchester City after overcoming a foot injury.

Palace, backed by a sizeable following in a below-capacity 52,624 crowd, went into the game with confidence despite failing to score in their previous five games.

Manager Dougie Freedman made five changes himself but his team looked the brighter at the onset.

Wilfried Zaha was a recurrent danger and after blasting over he appealed for a penalty when he ran at Fabio and went down on the edge of the area - but referee Chris Foy saw nothing untoward.

Darron Gibson had a shot deflected behind for United but the lively Zaha went close again when he fired over from seven yards.

United began to settle and established a measure of control but Palace had another chance when Sean Scannell snatched the ball from Valencia and Kagisho Dikgacoi dragged a shot wide.

United were forced to make a change when Fabio limped off after 37 minutes and 19-year-old Ezekiel Fryers replaced him at left-back.

The hosts had their best chance of the first half when Valencia crossed from the right and Mame Biram Diouf volleyed over with an overhead kick.

Palace also had injury problems as Scannell was forced off for Jonathan Parr and Dean Moxey was receiving treatment when the first half ended.

Moxey was unable to continue and was replaced by Ambrose after the break while United boss Sir Alex Ferguson gave Ravel Morrison a chance in place of Berbatov.

United almost took the lead soon after the restart as Valencia robbed Anthony Gardner and hit a low shot past Lewis Price but it rolled narrowly wide.

Valencia claimed the goalkeeper had got a fingertip to the ball but a goal-kick was given.

Morrison then tested Price with a long-range shot as United upped the tempo but, despite failing to grasp the ball first time, the keeper remained unbeaten.

Price saved from Morrison - but just as it seemed United were taking charge Palace took the lead with a stunning goal against the run of play.

There seemed little danger as Ambrose received the ball from Zaha but he launched a vicious shot from 35 yards which curled into the top corner.

It was a brilliant way to end a goal famine which had lasted 550 minutes but the London side's lead was wiped out just four minutes later - Macheda netting from the spot after his shirt was grabbed by Patrick McCarthy.

Palace refused to let their heads drop and had the better chances as normal time ran out.

Murray hit the side-netting in the last minute and Zaha shot straight at Ben Amos.

Gibson went close early in extra time when a shot from the right flew agonisingly wide after taking a slight deflection off Gardner.

Yet Palace proved again that they were made of stern stuff as they reclaimed the lead in the 98th minute.

Ambrose clipped in a free-kick from the left and Murray shook off Evans to head home from close range.

Gibson led the United response with another long-range effort which narrowly missed and Macheda poked an effort wide.

Ambrose almost hit a second screamer when he drilled a 40-yard free-kick at goal but Amos made a fine save.

The second period of extra time was a much cagier affair with Palace defending deeply but they survived a couple of heart-stopping moments to prevail.