RICHARD DUNNE HAS been a virtual ever-present for QPR in the Championship this season and has been rewarded for his form and consistency with a one-year contract extension.
Dunne, who was signed by QPR from Aston Villa on a free transfer, has played 37 times for the club this season. He has recovered well from a groin injury that cost him the entire 2012/13 season.
“I am delighted,” the 34-year-old told his club’s website. “After missing a year through injury, to come back and play so many games is great. There is naturally always that worry that the injury may go again, so to play as regularly as I have has been brilliant. If we can kick on now and finish on a high, that would be the ultimate end to the season.”
While Dunne has proved the model of combative consistency, Harry Redknapp’s side have faltered in their promotion push since the turn of the year. They are nine points off Burnley, in the automatic promotion, runners-up spot, but odds-on to secure a playoff berth.
“What we have to do now is try to get as many points on the board as possible, and also to mentally prepare ourselves for the playoffs,” said Dunne. “When they come around we’ve got to make sure we’re in good form.”
He added, “The aim from the start of this season was to win promotion to the Premier League and that remains the case. That’s all we’re concentrating on at the moment. Whatever happens at the end of May, we’ll prepare accordingly for next season and for whatever challenge that brings.”
Fellow Championship side Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are expected to name Stuart Pearce as their manager for 2014/15.
The Sport Ireland statement is a strange one “he bore no significant fault or negligence”- While I’d doubt he intentionally took the substance it was most definitely negligent not to check with the team nutritionist if the substance was legal or not
Brendan O Sullivan got off lightly. Would the sports council have been so lenient if he was an athlete or cyclist.
No one forced O Sullivan to take the illegal supplement. It was the height of stupidly not to check with the team doctor.
As for Marc O Se to say he was unaware of O Sullivan’s use of an illegal supplement. Did he never ask where’s Brendan?
@Diarmuid: the banned substance was not in a supplement but in a sports drink, similar to Lucozade sport. That’s why he got off so lightly
Kimmage will be all over this like a rash. “Now hang on Joe! This is important!”
@Marks Awarded: he was on the same time as O Se and you’re correct. That’s exactly how it went
OSullivan had no idea what he took, it was in a drink. I believe that.
What I dont believe is Marc O’Se saying he had no idea, thats bullsh!t.
But fair play to the Kerry boys for closing ranks and keeping this quite. Best of luck to anyone who can beat these, that sort of loyalty and respect is hard to beat!!
Imagine if this was Diarmuid Connolly or another Dublin player.. Ud have fools tarnishing they’re All Ireland wins .. If its Kerry its ok just a mistake
Kerry didn’t win an AIl Ireland last year.