The Front Pages
He has taken his time about doing it but Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has finally appointed a new front bench.
“Noonan and Bruton get top posts in Fine Gael front bench,†reads the Irish Times headline.
Meanwhile, the Irish Independent opts for, “Kenny takes command as rebels put in their place.â€
The new deputy leader is, as expected, the party’s health spokesman Dr James Reilly. Former deputy leader Richard Bruton has been demoted but will play an important role in the economic team.
Mr Kenny has brought senior figures such as new finance spokesman Michael Noonan back from the political wilderness to bolster his leadership. Leo Varadkar will join Mr Bruton and Mr Noonan in a new economic team which will deal with key issues.
Some of Kenny’s loyalists to gain promotion to the front benches include Michael Ring, Alan Shatter and Jimmy Deenihan.
In other news, Ireland rugby star Brian O’Driscoll will tie the knot with Amy Huberman today. The wedding at Lough Ryann Estate in Mohill, Co Leitrim will be one of the most lavish Irish weddings of the year.
Tales from the Tabs
Poor Stevie G. Thousands of England fans have received texts and emails saying captain Steven Gerrard had got wife Alex Curran’s 16-year-old sister pregnant and that this undermined the national team’s World Cup hopes. However, the Sun report says it’s all a hoax and that Alex Curran doesn’t even have a sister.
It was rumoured that the England dressing room was divided between support for Gerrard and John Terry. The Chelsea man lost the England captaincy when his cheating lifestyle was exposed last year.
The Sports Pages
Roy Hodgson breezed into Anfield yesterday and laughed off claims that bringing the glory days back to Liverpool is impossible, the Daily Star reports.
The former Fulham boss replaces Rafa Benitez as manager of at what he called, “the biggest club in football.â€
After putting pen to paper on a three-year contract worth £3 million, Hodgson said; “My aim is to work for the club and the people of Liverpool and help the team win matches.
“The ownership issues are above my head at all times and not something that bothers me.
“Number one priority is always the football team and to help them do a little bit better than last season by getting back into those Champions League places where they have always been and still want to be.â€
