onor Murray; 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Rory Best (c

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Former pitcher Curt Schilling announced Wednesday that he is battling cancer. The 47-year-old Schilling divulged the news in a statement released through his employer, Bristol-based ESPN. It did not indicate what type of cancer Schilling has, when he was diagnosed or what his prognosis might be. "With my incredibly talented medical team Im ready to try and win another big game," said Schilling, who retired in 2009 after 20 years in the major leagues. "Ive been so very blessed and I feel grateful for what God has allowed my family to have and experience, and Ill embrace this fight just like the rest of them, with resolute faith and head on." ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said Schilling is taking a leave of absence. He recently signed a multiyear contract extension with the network and was to be part of the "Sunday Night Baseball" broadcast team, as well as contribute to the networks studio coverage, including its spring training coverage, Soltys said. "Our thoughts are with Curt and his family during this challenging time," the Bristol-based network said in a statement. "His ESPN teammates wish him continued strength in his cancer fight and we look forward to welcoming him back to our baseball coverage whenever hes ready". Schilling played for five teams during his Major League career. He won three world championships, with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2001) and Boston Red Sox (2004, 2007), sharing the World Series MVP award with teammate Randy Johnson in 2001. He won 216 games and struck out 3,116 batters during his career, but is perhaps best known for pitching in the 2004 ALCS and World Series after having stitches to mend an ankle injury. His bloody sock was later put on display in Cooperstown. Schilling has been in the news recently after the failure of 38 Studios, a video game company he owned in Rhode Island, with the help of a $75 million state loan guarantee. The company went bankrupt last year, leaving Rhode Island taxpayers on the hook to pay back tens of millions of dollars. Schilling said he invested and lost as much as $50 million. This is not the first time he and his family have battled health issues. Schilling recently revealed he suffered a heart attack in November 2011. His wife, Shonda, successfully battled melanoma in 2001. His daughter, Gabby, took to Twitter on Wednesday to ask for prayers for her father. "So i guess the word is out, if everyone could just keep my dad and family in their prayers it would mean a lot!" she wrote. Giovani Lo Celso Jersey . -- Shanshan Feng was alone in her opinion about the pin positions in the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Julian Draxler Paris Saint-Germain Jersey . Today, well look at five frontcourt players today, here from the Bay Area. 1. 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Dani Alves Jersey .com) - The Ottawa Senators will try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive when they face the Chicago Blackhawks who are trying to secure their place in the post-season.Ireland waited 111 years for a victory against New Zealand and now have the chance to grab a second in 15 days when they meet in Dublin on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 4.45pm. Irelands 40-29 victory in Chicago ended the All Blacks 18-game winning streak and are now primed for a furious backlash at the Aviva Stadium.As Steve Hansen and Joe Schmidt argue over who is favourites for Saturdays rematch, Ireland skipper Rory Best has challenged his side to scale new heights in performance to pull off another victory. Can Ireland make further history and beat the back-to-back world champions for a second time? We examine five key talking points:Ireland refuse to fall for Hansen mind games Joe Schmidt rejected Steve Hansens suggestion that the Ireland are favourites New Zealand boss Steve Hansen has branded his back-to-back world champions underdogs for the Dublin clash.Hansens claim has been met with near incredulity in all corners, especially as the All Blacks boast a 92 per cent win rate during his tenure. They have lost just four in 66 during Hansens reign, and those statistics belie his claim that Ireland enter Saturdays clash as favourites. QUIZ: Irelands win over NZ Ireland famously beat the All Blacks in Chicago, but do you remember how they did it? Just because Ireland claimed their first-ever win over New Zealand on November 5, the hosts have insisted that does not change the complexion of facing the worlds best team one iota.Ireland have rejected any suggestion of mind games from New Zealand and Hansen but he has no doubt issued that tag in order to challenge his side to hit back to expected form.New Zealands all-new second row Brodie Retallick (left) and Sam Whitelock resume their second row partnership The return of fit-again duo Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock is expected to transform New Zealands approach.Firstly the potent locks will boost the All Blacks scrum and lineout no end. But more than that, Retallick especially should revamp New Zealands approach with ball in hand. Ireland vs New Zealand November 19, 2016, 4:45pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass The peerless Retallick acts as a hugely-dangerous auxiliary midfield playmaker in New Zealands unique attacking system. Few teams have managed to shut down the wily operator, so Ireland have to do just that in order to produce another victory.Dagg ushered in to counter Irelands aerial game Israel Dagg scored New Zealands fourth try in their win over Italy last Saturday Battering ram wing Waisake Naholo has been relegated to New Zealands bench for failing to cope with Irelands tactical kicking strategy in Chicago.dddddddddddd.Naholo floundered as Irelands aerial bombardment paid huge dividend at Soldier Field. Picked to power through the middle of the field with ball in hand, instead Naholo wound up too often clutching at straws as Ireland gained front-foot ball through Johnny Sexton and Conor Murrays inch-perfect kicking game. Did you know? Half-backs Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton account for 54 of the last 91 points Ireland have scored against New Zealand. Hansen has picked Israel Dagg on the wing in the hope New Zealand can this time shut down one of Irelands primary sources of attacking platforms.OBrien can terrorise NZ again New Zealand were surprised Sean OBrien was not selected for the Chicago Test When Ireland ran New Zealand all the way in their 24-22 defeat in Dublin 2013, for the first hour back-rower Sean OBrien struck fear into the stunned All Blacks.New Zealands overtime converted try to steal the game has since been well documented, with the All Blacks exploiting that last-gasp victory in order to boost their unbeatable aura.Irelands win in Chicago has dented that invincibility of course though, and fit-again flanker OBrien can once again ruin New Zealands claim to immortality.The Leinster star is just about approaching full tilt and can easily repeat his barnstorming 2013 showing.Spare a thought for OMahony Peter OMahony has missed out on selection, with Sean OBrien named in the back row and Josh van der Flier on the bench Munster flanker Peter OMahony has proved one of Irelands most potent and dependable performers over the last five years.So it must have been with a heavy heart that Ireland boss Joe Schmidt once again omitted the bullish back-rower from his line-up to face New Zealand.OMahony would have been frustrated but accepting of missing the Chicago match, still fighting back to full fitness as he was after his long-term battles with knee trouble.But this week he has been in full flight, so to miss a second match against the worlds best side in as many weeks must cut deep. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Rory Best (c), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Devin Toner, 6 CJ Stander, 7 Sean OBrien, 8 Jamie Heaslip.Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Garry Ringrose.New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Liam Squire, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Kieran Read (c).Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Waisake Naholo.Watch Ireland v New Zealand live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Saturday from 4.45pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV pass. No contract. Also See: Sky Live: Ireland v New Zealand All Blacks are no underdogs QUIZ: Irelands win over NZ Follow @SkySportsRugby ' ' '