Pirate Irwin

Pirate Irwin is a journalist with Agence France Presse , who has been based in Paris for 16 years having initially arrived for just a six month summer stay. Born in Ireland in 1965 and educated at Eton and Institute for Foreign Students in Tours after missing out on University by a large margin. His first name is a gift from his grandfather inspired by Radio Caroline but not appreciated by a Roman Catholic priest at christening. 

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/ 8 February 2006

Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire in final stretch

Hosts Egypt are just one win away from a record fifth African Nations Cup title after they beat Senegal 2-1 in a riveting semifinal in Cairo on Tuesday. The Pharaohs will meet fellow group-A outfit Côte d’Ivoire — whom they beat 3-1 in the first round — in Friday’s showpiece after the Elephants edged Nigeria 1-0 earlier in the day.

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/ 4 February 2006

Egypt, Senegal advance

Egypt kept home interest alive in the African Nations Cup in Cairo on Friday as they beat Democratic Republic of Congo 4-1 to ease into the semifinals and a step nearer a record fifth title. To reach the final they will have to get past 2002 finalists Senegal, who edged previously unbeaten Guinea 3-2 to make it a dreadful night for French coaches, DRC’s Claude Le Roy and Guinea’s Patrice Neveu.

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/ 1 February 2006

It’s murder in Group of Death

The so-called Group of Death at the African Nations Cup lived up to its billing on Tuesday as both matches went down to the wire. In the end, Nigeria finished top of group D after coming from behind to beat Senegal 2-1, while Zimbabwe deservedly beat Ghana 2-1 but still finished out of the money.

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/ 31 January 2006

Tunisia trounced in Egypt

Monday was not a night for champions as reigning African Nations Cup holders Tunisia were trounced 3-0 by Guinea and ended up second in group C. At least they still have an interest in the tournament, whereas 1996 champions South Africa reached new depths as they were beaten 1-0 by Zambia.

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/ 27 January 2006

Sibusiso Zuma: ‘This is a team for the future’

Champions Tunisia on Thursday stayed on course to become only the second team to retain the African Nations Cup since it was extended to 16 sides as they beat a sorry South Africa 2-0 in their Group C clash. Defeat ended Bafana Bafana’s interest in the competition and confirmed their sharp decline since winning the title in 1996.

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/ 26 January 2006

Cameroon cruise into Egypt quarterfinals

Cameroon joined Côte d’Ivoire in the African Nations Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday as they beat sorry Togo 2-0 and looked a good bet to add a fourth title to their laurels. Angola just about kept an interest in the tournament, but only by their fingernails, as they fought out a 0-0 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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/ 23 January 2006

Bitter rivals set for Afcon showdown

Hosts Egypt go up against bitter rivals Morocco in Cairo on Tuesday in what should be one of the highlights of the African Nations Cup. The Group A clash will more than likely see Morocco exit the tournament should they lose and victory for Egypt would see the hosts through to the quarterfinals.

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/ 28 November 2005

All gold for All Blacks

Everything the All Blacks touch seems to turn to gold. That’s the opinion of Wallabies coach Eddie Jones and the embattled handler is not far wrong. Aside from coming from behind to land the right to host the 2011 World Cup, New Zealand finish the year with the British Isles Grand Slam, a 3-0 series win over the British and Irish Lions and the Tri-Nations trophy.

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/ 29 September 2005

Raul racks up 50 in Champions League

Raul became the first player to rack up 50 goals in the Champions League as the Real Madrid star helped his side to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Greek side Olympiakos in their match on Wednesday. Liverpool were held 0-0 at home to Chelsea, whom they controversially beat in the semifinal last term.