Impact of Stade de France abandonment
If there had been as much heat before 9pm in Paris on Saturday as there was afterwards on the airwaves, the France Ireland game in the RBS Six Nations could easily have been played.  As it was though areas of the pitch had refrozen as temperatures dropped to -8 and referee Dave Pearson had little choice but to call off the game.
The safety of players has to be the primary concern and with most coaches unwilling to train in sub zero conditions this seemed a likely postponement from a long way out.  It was apparently felt to be impossible to bring the game forward and that is in a sense understandable given travel arrangements of fans and the importance of TV scheduling.
The new date and time will be announced later on Monday, February 13th but March 3rd looks most likely.  This would mean both sides playing back to back four weeks in a row, similar to a Rugby World Cup schedule.
The decision was booed in the stadium and creates a headache for organisers who will now face claims for refunds and reimbursements; but from a tournament and team sponsorship perspective, there is at least a silver lining as the game will now be previewed twice with all the attendant publicity and profile.
Ireland Clinch World Seniors Tennis Title
Ireland celebrated its first ever International Tennis Federation Seniors World Team Championship title on Sunday in San Diego, California.
Lesley O’Halloran, Philippa Palmer, Niamh Kennedy and Grace Reidy made up the team of Over 45’s who won the Margaret Court Cup by coming from behind to win 2-1 over second seeds France.
Paracyclists claim Gold at World Championships
Ireland claimed two Gold medals, one Silver and one Bronze at the World Paracycling Championships in California at the weekend.  Catherine Walsh and Francine Meehan in the 3KM Female pursuit race followed Colin Lynch in the individual men’s 3KM pursuit
New Record at Athletics Championships
Ben Reynolds set a new Irish U23 record in the Men’s 60 metres hurdles at the Woodies DIY Irish National Indoor Championships on Sunday.  His time was just one hundredth of a second outside the standard for the World Indoor Championship in Istanbul next month, but Reynolds plans to race in Belgium next week in a bid to make that time.
Derval O’Rourke had little difficulty winning her 11th national title in the Women’s 60 metre hurdles.  O’Rourke first competed in the Junior Championships in 1999.
Athletics Club of the year St Abbans AC of Monavea County Laois recorded two wins on the day with Alan Kelly in the Men’s 800 metres and Barry Pender in the High Jump.
Zambia record emotional triumph
A penalty win after a 0-0 draw may not at first glance appear a golden moment but Zambia’s victory in the final of the Orange African Cup of Nations is a heart warming story.
In 1993 the national team was wiped out in a plane crash.  The only survivor on the team was Kalusha Bwalya who was travelling separately. Last night the nation captured its first international title with Bwalya, now President of the Zambian FA, at the heart of the celebrations.  He had played 147 times for the national side, scoring 100 goals.
Ivory Coast had not conceded a goal through the tournament but a 70th minute missed penalty by Didier Drogba proved ultimately to have been their downfall.
Latest issue of Sport for Business Weekly
The latest issue of Sport for Business Weekly looks at alcohol sponsorship of sport; Ulster Bank’s activation of rugby sponsorship around the RBS Six Nations and beyond; the renewed vigour in Irish greyhound racing and reviews the best of the Super Bowl marketing initiatives…