SPORTS DIGEST: AMERICAN FOOTBALL:The New England Patriots overcame a sluggish start before roughing up the Kansas City Chiefs in a 34-3 blowout to earn some breathing space at the top of the AFC East Division.
Tom Brady and the Patriots’ (7-3) offence were ineffective for a majority of the first half as they fell 3-0 behind, but the home team proved unstoppable once they started scoring and opened a two-game advantage in the division.
“We couldn’t do anything in the first half, we had a hard time moving the ball,” Brady said after finishing with 234 yards passing and two scores.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski caught two touchdown passes for the second straight game and set New England on their way with a 52-yard score.
Oulart’s Doyle ruled out of club final
HURLING:Oulart-the- Ballagh must plot the downfall of Offaly champions Coolderry in their AIB Leinster Club senior hurling championship final in Nowlan Park this Sunday without influential forward Stephen Doyle.
Doyle was forced to retire close to the finish of the semi-final with a groin strain, having made quite an impact during his time on the pitch.
Selector Jimmy Prendergast has ruled Doyle out of starting the final.
“He has undergone intensive treatment since the semi-final. There is no way he’ll be fit enough to start the game. The best we can hope for is getting 20 minutes out of him.”
Forward Peter Murphy has also been ruled out having missed the semi-final with a broken finger.
Awesome Federer turns on style to crush Nadal
TENNIS:Roger Federer produced a stunning display of tennis to thrash his great rival Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-0 and book his spot in the semi-finals at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London last night.
Federer had won only seven of their previous meetings but he was simply on another level as he wrapped up victory in 61 minutes, winning 10 of the last 11 games.
The Swiss said: “I’m very happy, it’s a very surprising result. Sometimes you don’t live up to your expectations. I’ve definitely seen Rafa play better but I’ve definitely played worse.”
Nadal now faces a win or bust clash with Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga tomorrow in his final Group B clash after Tsonga defeated American Mardy Fish 7-6 6-1.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray has pulled out of the finals in London. The Scot picked up a groin injury in practice last week and struggled through a 6-4 7-5 defeat by David Ferrer on Monday before making a decision yesterday.
Arthur new Australia cricket coach
CRICKET:Former South Africa cricket coach Mickey Arthur yesterday became the first foreign head coach of the Australian team, completing a revamp of management following their disastrous Ashes campaign last year. The 43-year-old was in charge of the Proteas from 2005 until 2010 and had most recently been coaching Western Australia. His contract runs until after the 2015 World Cup.
Arthur replaces Tim Nielsen who resigned after the Australian tour of Sri Lanka in September. Troy Cooley had been in charge on an acting basis for the tour of South Africa.
His appointment was the latest in a restructuring that included the appointment of former Australia rugby international Pat Howard as general manager.
Former chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch and selector Greg Chappell were both ditched with John Inverarity named new full-time chairman of selectors, with former test players Rod Marsh and Andy Bichel as part-time selectors.
Captain Michael Clarke and Arthur will also act as selectors.
