IrishCentral Playoffs - b5cc3275d518416eacb61d676e8d84d1

New York Knicks and Boston Celtics Swap Standards for Second Playoff Series in Three Seasons (IrishCentral)

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:02:59 PDT

The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks have come through the 2013 NBA Regular Season in different ways The Celtics have endured injury after injury and problem after problem to secure the seventh overall seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Knicks have enjoyed their trip to the second seed behind only the Miami HeatThis is very much the inverse of what recent history has told us about these franchisesFor only the third time during his tenure, Doc Rivers' Celtics didn't finish first in their division READ MORE

Boston Celtics: Playoff Formula Mixes Flexible Roster With Veteran Leadership (IrishCentral)

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:02:51 PDT

With Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett ailing over the past few weeks, the Boston Celtics have endured a relatively rough patch Their playoff spot is set, but the inconsistency that comes with broken continuity has given the franchise a 4-8 record in their last 12 gamesThat is not the way the Celtics will want to enter the playoffsRegardless of who they will face in the first round READ MORE

New England Patriots v. Houston Texans AFC divisional playoff preview (IrishCentral)

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 09:00:41 PST

A melancholic result on the first day of the NFL divisional round of the playoffs has offered the New England Patriots both added motivation to make the next round, as well as fair warning to those expecting an easy result in Foxboro. READ MORE

New England Patriots' Approach Over Final Four Weeks is Vital For Playoff Success (IrishCentral)

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 02:16:37 PST

The Patriots can't afford to lose Tom Brady, especially at this time of the yearJust a few weeks ago, the New England Patriots were involved in a mini-controversy when Rob Gronkowski was injured on an extra point play against the Indianapolis Colts Many argued that Gronkowski should have been long pulled because the Patriots were well ahead with nowhere near enough time for the Colts to make a comebackFast forward to today, and the Patriots appear to be dealing with the same issues Victory over the Miami Dolphins this weekend, while not convincing, was enough to guarantee the team a playoff spot READ MORE

Whisper it quietly: The Yankees might miss the playoffs (IrishCentral)

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:02:03 PDT

To date, this had been an enjoyable summer for New York Yankee fans Their team cruised through the early portion of the season, while their old rivals, the Red Sox, collapsed out of sight a number of weeks ago Yankee fans celebrated wildly, like a pack of angry, learning challenged chimpanzees, taking great delight in Boston’s horrific demise Then, the party quietened, the storm clouds began to gather on the horizon READ MORE

It is a done deal people - We will have a playoff system in College Football (IrishCentral)

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 06:01:24 PDT

By: JASON O'MAHONY

The presidential oversight committee met in Washington on Tuesday to BCS commissioners' plan for a four-team playoff system which will begin in 2014 and run for an estimated 10 years.

Notre Dame's Jack Swarbrick announces new BCS playoff format (IrishCentral)

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 03:45:24 PDT

Athletic Director Jack SwarbrickAll 11 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conference commissioners stood shoulder-to-shoulder behind Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick, who read the BCS statement from a podium set up in a hotel conference roomThe statement outlined what many considered to be a foregone conclusion READ MORE

Graeme McDowell just misses playoff in US Open final round -- Northern Irishman, Padraig Harrington both came close (IrishCentral)

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 05:00:21 PDT

Graeme McDowellIn the end Graeme McDowell just missed a playoff for the US Open championship at the Olympic Club in San FranciscoIt was a remarkable performance by McDowell, whose final hole 24 foot putt missed left to bring about a play-off against ultimate winner Webb SimpsonSeveral times during the final round McDowell looked like he would fall out of contention but somehow kept in touch and gave himself a chance at a playoff after a gutsy birdie on the 17thHe stood on the final tee knowing a birdie would get him a play off but his final putt came up short READ MORE

NBA Playoffs 2012: The Boston Celtics Would Prefer the Miami Heat not the Indiana Pacers (IrishCentral)

Fri, 18 May 2012 01:45:22 PDT

While the Boston Celtics still have a long way to go in their second round matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers, they currently lead 2-1 in the series, one can't help but wonder about the shockwaves that are emanating from Indiana right nowThe winners of the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers second round series will lie in wait for the Celtics if they can overcome the 76ers Right now, the Pacers are shocking the Heat as they lead 2-1 with home court advantage in their favorAfter Chris Bosh got injured, the Heat looked a little lost lats night in Indiana with Dwyane Wade having a historically bad night shooting the ball READ MORE

Playoffs intriguing as ever - West Ham and Blackpool win first legs (IrishCentral)

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:17:44 PDT

By: CIAN O'CONNELL

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce is remaining calm despite the Irons' impressive 2-0 playoff first leg success over Cardiff City.

Boston Celtics - Rocky Road Continues in the NBA Playoffs 2012 (IrishCentral)

Sat, 05 May 2012 12:16:20 PDT

After Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo returned to lead the Boston Celtics to an overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks last night, the blows kept on coming for head coach Doc Rivers with Avery Bradley adding his name to the list of walking woundedBradley appeared to have a dislocated shoulder, the Celtics official word is that he has a sore shoulder, that wouldn't pop back in last night Ultimately Bradley didn't finish the game and left in the fourth quarter while his status for the remainder of the series is clouded in doubtThe Celtics were just getting their roster in shape with Allen having an impressive return from injury, scoring 13 points from the bench on six of 12 shooting despite not hitting a three and adding six rebounds with two steals READ MORE

Boston Celtics v. Atlanta Hawks NBA Playoffs Preview (IrishCentral)

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 02:30:14 PDT

Ray Allen has been described as 50-50 for the opening game of the first round of the playoffs In the past, losing one of the "big three" would have been a major issue for Doc Rivers' side to overcome, but with Allen currently filling the sixth man role, the Celtics should be happy to have him rest until he is fully fitThis is the last stand of the big threeAfter this season, Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett may be back in Boston together, but there is no chance that they will be leading the team from the front READ MORE

Boston Celtics Enter the Most Critical Stretch of the NBA Regular Season (IrishCentral)

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:30:11 PDT

Are the Boston Celtics doing it again?Is a team which was completely lifeless prior to the all-star game getting set to win the division and make a run in the playoffs?The Celtics currently reside in the seventh seed of the western conference With the Philadelphia 76ers playing at 500, with an 8-8 record, since the all-star break, the Celtics are also closing the gap in the Atlantic divisionSince the all-star break, the Celtics have a record of 13-5 which is the third best in the league READ MORE

Boston Celtics: What does the team need for a playoff run (IrishCentral)

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 06:45:16 PDT

The trade deadline cam and passed without a move from Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge Many expected the Celtics to either blow up the big three or add another piece to aid them in their final season togetherRay Allen and Kevin Garnett are likely playing their last seasons in Boston while Paul Pierce's role is sure to decrease over the coming yearsBut before we get to all that, the Celtics have to try to fight for one last shot at the finals and wrap up their playoff spot READ MORE

New England Patriots v. Denver Broncos NFL Playoffs Breakdown (IrishCentral)

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:00:22 PST

The New England Patriots are the next stop on the Tim Tebow bandwagon, as the Denver Broncos travel to Foxboro to play in the divisional round of the AFC playoff pictureAs the world is enveloped in Tebowmania, after the Broncos eased past the Steelers in the wildcard round, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are fully focused on reversing their recent playoff fortunesNot since the 2008 AFC Championship, have the Patriots beaten a team in the playoffsOf their last three playoff losses, against the Giants in the Super Bowl in the same year, the Ravens in the wild-card round in 2010 and the Jets in the divisional round last year last year, the most recent defeat is the most noteworthy READ MORE

New England Patriots: Bye Week isn't enough to fix Problems (IrishCentral)

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:56:09 PST

The 2011 NFL regular season is in the books after the New England Patriots destroyed the Buffalo Bills in Week 17Not too surprisingly, it is another year in which Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have led the Patriots to the top of the AFCBrady and Belichick are undoubtedly the kings of winning in the regular season, the duo have won more games than any other player coach combination throughout history, and this year may be their greatest achievement to dateThat is, their greatest achievement so far as the regular season goes READ MORE

Ireland tie Estonia 1-1 in European Nations playoff, win 5-1 on aggregate (IrishCentral)

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:30:16 PST

Ireland and Estonia tied in Dublin 1-1 tonightEstonia scored in the 56th minute when Vasilljev scored with a shot that Given should have saved Ireland had lead Estonia 1-0 following a goal by Steven Ward following a corner kick by Damien DuffKevin Doyle headed on Duff's corner and after the goalkeeper parried it, Ward finished the rebound to the net READ MORE

Ireland certain of qualifying in European Championship playoffs (IrishCentral)

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:06:38 PST

By: CATHAL DERVAN

ESTONIA - 0 REP OF IRELAND - 4

Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland have one foot in the European Championship finals after a night when it was all so easy in Estonia.

Ireland v. Estonia European Playoff: Maturity of Stephen Kelly will soften the loss of John O'Shea (IrishCentral)

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:45:22 PST

The Republic of Ireland will enter their crucial away tie with Estonia this Friday without one of their best and most experienced playersFormer Manchester United defender, and current Sunderland captain, John O'Shea will miss the trip to Estonia because of a hamstring injuryThe 30 year old from Waterford has been capped an incredibly 70 times for his country and has been a stall-worth in the team over the past few seasons O'Shea's versatility had seen him move to right back after the emergence of Sean St READ MORE

Ireland will meet Estonia in play offs for European finals (IrishCentral)

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:45:14 PDT

Ireland got lucky when the draw for the playoffs in the European championship were madeThey will play Estonia, the weakest team left in the playoffsThe first game will be on either Friday November 11 or the following day with the second leg in Ireland on 15th of NovemberThe other games see Turkey take on Croatia; the Czech Republic to play Montenegro, while Portugal will face Bosnia & Herzegovina READ MORE