DUBLIN, Ireland -- Martin ONeill was hired as Ireland coach on Tuesday and will have former Manchester United captain Roy Keane as his assistant in a box-office pairing tasked with reviving the teams fortunes. Mike Singletary Jersey . The 61-year-old ONeill returned to management eight months after the Northern Irishman was fired by Premier League club Sunderland, while Keane has been a TV pundit since leaving as Ipswich manager in 2011. Keanes appointment is a surprise, as the outspoken former midfielder has had a volatile relationship with the Football Association of Ireland and walked out of the 2002 World Cup without kicking a ball. "Today, the FAI board is appointing two Irish legends as manager and assistant manager of our national team," FAI chief executive John Delaney said. Ireland has taken its time appointing the successor to Giovanni Trapattoni, the veteran Italian coach who left in September. It settled on two of the biggest names in Irish football. "Im the bad cop and hes the bad, bad cop," ONeill told British broadcaster ITV. "Were excited by it and Im looking forward to it greatly." ONeills first matches in charge will be friendlies against Latvia at home on Nov. 15 and Poland away on Nov 19. Ireland failed to qualify for next years World Cup finals in Brazil. Ego Ferguson Jersey . The NFL club and Rogers Communications announced Wednesday theyve put the beleaguered Bills Toronto Series -- which features Buffalo playing exhibition and regular-season games at Rogers Centre -- on hold for at least a year. Gale Sayers Jersey .C. -- Cam Newton wasnt flawless on Sunday.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The reigning AL manager of the year isnt going anywhere. That is, unless youre counting spring training, where Joe Maddon is eager to get to work after agreeing to a three-year contract extension that could keep him in Tampa Bays dugout through 2015. The Rays formally announced the deal with the 58-year-old manager during a news conference at Tropicana Field on Wednesday. Maddon has led the team to the playoffs three of the past four seasons and believes they have an excellent chance of getting back again this year. Maddon said while hes flattered by speculation that he would have been attractive to other teams if the Rays had not locked him up long-term that he had no desire to leave Tampa Bay, which has a talented young roster capable of contending for championships for years to come. "I know the grass -- the turf -- is not any greener anywhere else," Maddon said. "I wanted to be here." Maddon is 495-477 in six seasons with the Rays, who struggled through a decade of futility before finally posting the first winning record in franchise history in 2008, when they not only defied the odds by finishing ahead of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for AL East title but made their first World Series appearance. Tampa Bay won arguably baseballs toughest division again in 2010, then overcame a nine-game deficit in September to edge Boston for the AL wild-card spot on the final night of last season. Maddon has excelled despite fielding a team, whose payroll is among the lowest in baseball. A year ago, the Rays lost six key players to free agency and traded two others, yet won 91 games to finish second in the AL East, which traditionally has been dominated by the big spending Yankees and Red Sox. "Weve really grown a lot over the last several years," said Maddon, who lost 101 games in 2006 -- his first with Tampa Bay -- and 96 the following seasons. The Rays have averaged 92 wins the past four seasons. And with one of baseballs youngest and deepest pitching rotations and what could be an improved offensive attack led by Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton, Ben ZZobrist, Carlos Pena and Luke Scott, Maddon said the club has everything it takes to return to the post-season. Walter Payton Jersey. "Weve come up short the last two years in the playoffs, but we did get there," Maddon said, alluding losses to Texas in the divisional round in 2010 and 2011. "Weve got to extend that a little bit as we move forward. ... Its about winning. It is about getting to the last game of the season and winning it the next time we get a chance to be there." Rays executive vice-president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman lauded Maddons ability to connect with players, develop young talent and always "put the franchise first" in making decisions. "I think one of his greatest strengths is something that isnt talked about nearly enough," Friedman said. "Everything Joe does is under the guise to make this organization better in both the short term and the long term. "He takes the time to get to know each individual player and what their strengths are and what makes them tick," Friedman added. "Hecreates an environment for the players that instills self-confidence and allow them to play up to their talent level." Maddon was entering the final season of a three-year extension he signed in May 2009. Prior to his arrival after spending more than three decades in the Angels organization, the Rays went 518-775 under the teams three previous managers. He is the only manager Friedman has worked with. He said the organization never doubted it hired the right manager to help turn the franchise around, even when the team can continued to struggle on the field in Maddons first two seasons. "From top to bottom weve developed a common vision and a level of trust that is critical to the success weve had and anticipate having," Friedman said. "I think its the most interesting place to be involved in major league baseball," Maddon added. "Theres a lot of freedom here. Theres freedom to get better, a lot of freedom to think. ... and to try new ideas. ... We enjoy the challenge of putting it all together." cheap jerseys ' ' '
