EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING, TheScore.ie brings you the stories you need to know before 9am.
1. #RETURN OF THE KING Thierry Henry rolled back the years to steal the show in Arsenal’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Leeds last night. The Gunners legend scored the game’s only goal in a second-half substitute cameo, setting up an all-Premier League clash against Aston Villa in the fourth round.
2. #MESSI Lionel Messi was named last night as winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the third successive season. The Argentine international fended off rival nominees Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi Hernández to take the prestigious award, which was presented by former Brazil international Ronaldo. Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola won the Coach of the Year award while Santos sensation Neymar won the Puskas Award for the year’s best goal.
3. #AUSTRALIAN OPEN Venus Williams has withdrawn from next week’s Australian Open in Melbourne as she continues her recovery from an autoimmune disease. Williams has not played competitively since she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome during last year’s US Open but said yesterday that she hopes to return to action next month.
4. #GAA Suspensions handed down to GAA players sent off for violent conduct will be measured in terms of matches rather than weeks under a new disciplinary code to be trialled this season. The GAA confirmed details of the new policy yesterday, which is being introduced for the 2012 Allianz Leagues and senior inter-county championships in accordance with a decision taken at Congress last April
5. #JANUARY SALES Robbie Keane is expected to complete his two-month loan move from the LA Galaxy to Aston Villa today. The Republic of Ireland striker trained with Villa yesterday and could make his first appearance in Saturday’s Premier League game against Everton.
6. #HAWAII Steve Stricker opened the season with a win at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii overnight. The American overcame some early nerves to finish with a four-under par round of 69, beating Scotland’s Martin Laird by three shots.
