The Irish Times - Sport

Sports Digest

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

We're on an upward trend and hope to reel in Puma

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

MAKING WAVES:After more than six months of hard racing, any one of four boats could be the overall race winner in Galway in six weeks’ time

Three could be the magic number

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

With the best ever performance by an Irish triathlete at a world event under her belt, Aileen Morrison is ready for London, writesIAN O'RIORDAN

Brisk ticket sales continue as cycling punters pay for view

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

OLYMPIC GAMES:DESPITE RENEWED complaints over their unwieldy ticketingsystem, London 2012 organisers have sold tens of thousands more tickets to the Games and claimed vindication over their decision to charge for sections of the road cycling races.

India appeal against Duckworth-Lewis

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

CRICKET NEWS:THERE COULD be no more symbolic example of India’s challenge to surpass England in every aspect of cricket’s world order. Now they are even seeking to overturn the Duckworth-Lewis method, the Lancastrian system of determining the result of matches in which rain stops play.

Serena's highness holds no sway with Razzano

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

TENNIS:SERENA WILLIAMS was dumped out in the first round of the French Open as unseeded home hope Virginie Razzano served up one of the biggest shocks in Roland Garros history.

Murray nicely refreshed after putting squeeze on Tatsuma

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

TENNIS:ANDY MURRAY wants to assure those who care and those who doubt that he is not falling to pieces. He is up and running at the 2012 French Open after a minor and unwarranted scare about the most discussed back in Paris halfway through what was ultimately a stroll against Tatsuma Ito on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Elsie can confirm potential

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

RACING:IT IS just over a month since Tom Mullins enjoyed one of the best days of his career at Punchestown and the Co Kilkenny trainer will be hoping the Kildare air will do the trick for Elsie in this evening’s finale.

Oxx to run Born To Sea in St James's Palace

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

RACING: BORN TO Sea will be kept to Group One company when he lines up next in Royal Ascot’s St James’s Palace Stakes in 20 days’ time.

Monarch still an entry in French Derby

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

RACING: THE POSSIBILITY of Aidan O’Brien scoring a rare Classic hat-trick this weekend remains open with Sunday’s French Derby at Chantilly an option for the exciting Ballydoyle colt Imperial Monarch.

No team looks good on the first day out

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

THE MIDDLE THIRD:You know the championship is back when you see a fella on the terrace with a four-cornered knotted hankie on his head to keep the sun at bay!

Canning and Forde looking doubtful for Galway opener

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

JOE CANNING has emerged as a doubt for Galway’s Leinster hurling championship opener against Westmeath on Sunday after suffering a recurrence of the shoulder injury which sidelined him for most of their league campaign.

More unrest in Meath as King elects to quit panel

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:04 GMT

CAOIMHÍN KING has reportedly left the Meath football panel after being overlooked for selection.

DRA likely to have final say on Johnston saga

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:03 GMT

ON GAELIC GAMES: OVER THE border from Cavan, Patrick Kavanagh succinctly reflected the importance of locality that’s so central to the enduring appeal of Gaelic games. In the poem Epic he frets how, compared to the imminent second World War, the humdrum events of life in Monaghan struggle to inspire timeless verse.

Gilroy aiming to freshen things up

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:03 GMT

Dublin set to mix the old with new recruits as they begin the defence of their title, writesGAVIN CUMMISKEY

Clarke determined to be back for the Irish Open at Portrush

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:03 GMT

GOLF: LOOKS CAN be deceptive, and Darren Clarke – dressed in a vivid pink jumper – looked the picture of health at Royal Portrush Golf Club yesterday as the countdown started in earnest towards the Irish Open, which will be held at the famed links on June 28th-July 1st.

Buyout deal for Rangers as transfer ban is lifted

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:03 GMT

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE:THE ADMINISTRATORS of Rangers have agreed to sell the stricken club to a newly formed company, Sevco 5088, of which the only director is Charles Green, formerly the chief executive at Sheffield United.

Rodgers, Martinez top list as Liverpool aim to name manager in 48 hours

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:03 GMT

LIVERPOOL HOPE to appoint their new manager in the next 48 hours, despite the complexities of hiring Brendan Rodgers or Roberto Martinez, the leading candidates for the job, within that timeframe.

Hazard tipped to be a hit with Chelsea

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:03 GMT

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:BELGIUM PLAYMAKER Eden Hazard has been backed by his international team-mates to be a major hit in English football.

Ukraine reject racism claims

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:03 GMT

POLAND AND Ukraine denounced British press allegations of racism and mob violence at soccer stadiums and yesterday assured foreign players and fans they would be safe during the Euro 2012 tournament they will jointly host next month.

Emotions run high as Foley talks of feeling betrayed over omission

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:03 GMT

A CLEARLY emotional Kevin Foley last night accused Giovanni Trapattoni of betrayal over the manner in which he was omitted from the final squad of 23 for the European Championship finals.

Foley suffers the cruellest of cuts as McShane gets nod

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:02 GMT

EURO 2012:IT IS hard to imagine a more cruel way for Kevin Foley’s season to end than yesterday’s news he will not after all be travelling to the European Championships with the Republic of Ireland squad.

Kidney remains upbeat despite disjointed performance

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:02 GMT

RUGBY: Ireland 28 Barbarians 29: THE DEFEAT won’t be the only thing that’ll smart this morning from an Irish perspective. A number of players picked up bumps and bruises on a night when the Barbarians opted to kick a late penalty, through Felipe Contepomi, to secure victory.

Tremors were felt in Ireland's team hotel

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:02 GMT

SOCCER: ITALY’S TROUBLED preparation for Euro 2012 took a tragic turn yesterday, with the cancellation of their friendly against Luxembourg in Parma following the confirmation of fatalities in the earthquake which struck nearby.

Foley feels 'betrayed' over omission

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:22:02 GMT

SOCCER:A CLEARLY emotional Kevin Foley last night accused Giovanni Trapattoni of betrayal over the manner in which he was omitted from the final squad of 23 for the European Championship finals.

Another milestone for Federer

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:23 GMT

TENNIS FRENCH OPEN:FEW PLAYERS in the history of tennis have had more right to celebrate their own deeds than Roger Federer. Yesterday another honour tumbled into the great man’s lap, when he dismissed Tobias Kamke with only minor inconvenience on day two of the French Open, and he struggled to hide his delight.

England complete series win with nine-wicket victory

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:23 GMT

CRICKET SECOND TEST:ENGLAND RACED to a series win over West Indies with a nine-wicket victory on the fourth day of the second Test at Trent Bridge yesterday after being set a modest target of 108.

Ireland 'A' put to the sword on opening day

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:23 GMT

SPORTS DIGEST: CricketIRELAND A endured a brute of day at the office on the opening day of their three-day game against Gloucester seconds at Coombe Park in Bath yesterday as they were put to the sword by the English county.

Camelot leads five-strong bid to end O'Brien's 10-year wait

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:22 GMT

HORSE RACING NEWS:CAMELOT MIGHT be an overwhelming favourite for Saturday’s Investec Derby at Epsom but Aidan O’Brien is taking no chances as he attempts to bridge a long 10-year gap in the world’s most prestigious Classic.

Gilroy will know about pitfalls, says Whelan

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:22 GMT

ALL-IRELAND SFC:WE DON’T mean to be raking up the fact that Ciarán Whelan’s 14-season career at the heart of Dublin’s midfield failed to deliver a Celtic Cross but it serves a purpose this week.

Harte may try to coax retired players back as injuries mount

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:22 GMT

ULSTER SFC:TYRONE MANAGER Mickey Harte has not ruled out cajoling three-time All-Ireland winners Brian Dooher, Philip Jordan and Brian McGuigan out of retirement after Seán Cavanagh was added to a growing injury list.

Cooper sees changing times ahead for Kerry

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:22 GMT

MUNSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL:ALL IS not well in the Kerry camp. It never is until they win in September. Their captain and multi-decorated marque forward Colm Cooper has admitted that significant change is coming.

Lawrie claims spot the hard way

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:22 GMT

US OPEN QUALIFYING:PETER LAWRIE had to do it the hard way, but it was worth it. A day after contending for the BMW PGA Championship, the Dubliner yesterday emerged from the 36-holes US Open international qualifying tournament at Walton Heath - in a play-off - and will make his debut in the Major at the Olympic Club in San Francisco next month, writes Philip Reid.

By the book: It's the player's responsibility to keep abreast of the rules, or consult official

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:22 GMT

DIFFERENT STROKES:A golf miscellany

Clarke forced to withdraw from US Open with injury

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:22 GMT

TOUR NEWS: YOU’VE GOT to wonder if or when Darren Clarke’s prolonged run of bad luck will end. How many black cats have crossed his path? When did he wander under a ladder? Did he crack a mirror? Someone, really, should give him a horseshoe.

Selfridge heads quality field for East of Ireland

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:21 GMT

SHORT GAME:CHRIS SELFRIDGE, winner of the Irish Close Championship at Royal Portrush GC over the weekend will head a star-studded field in the East of Ireland Open Championship at Co Louth GC, Baltray, staring on Saturday.

Awards pit stop for the season that never ends

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:21 GMT

ON RUGBY:Yes, Ireland misfired in the Six Nations, but any campaign with a first win over a Tri-Nations team at a World Cup and an all-Irish Heineken Cup final can’t be bad

The old country never looked so green

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:21 GMT

EURO 2012:DOES CESARE Prandelli have a spy? Could Vincente del Bosque have placed a man in Tuscany?

Jagielka called up to replace injured Barry

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:21 GMT

EURO 2012:ENGLAND HAVE called up the Everton defender Phil Jagielka to compete in his first major international tournament after Gareth Barry was ruled out of the summer’s European Championship with a torn stomach muscle.

Classy Ukraine dash Irish hopes

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:21 GMT

UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL Republic of Ireland 0 Ukraine 3:IRELAND CRASHED out of the Under-19 European Championship qualification chase yesterday when they succumbed to a second half onslaught by Ukraine in Parchal. Defeat to Portugal in their elite stage opener meant only victory for Paul Doolin’s side would suffice to resurrect their hopes of topping the four-nation group and reaching the finals.

Gorman strike gives Shelbourne fortunate win

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:20 GMT

FAI CUP Shelbourne 1 Bray Wanderers 0: FORTUNE MAY have deserted them in last year’s final when they lost on penalties to Sligo Rovers, but Shelbourne rode their luck last night as Philip Gorman’s first-half goal gave them a scarcely deserved win in this second round replay.

Wilkinson and Henry must prove fitness

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:20 GMT

RUGBY INTERNATIONAL MATCH:FITNESS ISSUES overshadow tonight’s fixture in the context of the upcoming three-Test tour to New Zealand. Isaac Boss will not travel to the land of his birth, ruled out with a quad injury. Mike Ross will go albeit with a grade one hamstring tear that requires a two-week rehabilitation period while Paul O’Connell is in London receiving medical treatment.

Italy's Euro preparations rocked by match-fixing scandal

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:20 GMT

EURO 2012:WITH EURO 2012 just two weeks away, Italian football was yesterday rocked by a massive match-fixing scandal that brings to mind the 2006 Calciopoli scandal right on the eve of Italy’s World Cup win in Germany.

Trap calls for clean-up after latest 'surprise'

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:19 GMT

SOCCER EURO 2012:GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has described the match-fixing and bribery investigation in relation to Italian football as a “humiliation” but acknowledged there has been a problem and insisted it is essential to clean things up.

Cooped up in luxury . . . now that's hardship

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:30:34 GMT

TIPPING POINT:Roy Keane believes ‘Wazza’ (Wayne Rooney) to be “mentally active” and that can spell potential trouble in terms of the ungodly horror that is boredom, writesBRIAN O'CONNOR

All in the scrum

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:30:34 GMT

Compiled byJOHNNY WATTERSON

Now is the time to enjoy the Leinster phenomenon

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:30:34 GMT

FRENCH NOTES:Despite yesterday’s loss in the RaboDirect Pro 12 final to the Ospreys Leinster have been a sensation to watch this season, writesMATT WILLIAMS

Republic of Ireland

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:30:33 GMT

How they performed byCARL O'MALLEY

Assured display provides reason for optimism

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:30:33 GMT

SOCCER ANALYST:The system looked the same but there were some subtle and hopeful signs of a more adventurous approach by Trapattoni’s men, writesBRIAN KERR

O'Shea must convince Trapattoni of fitness

Mon, 28 May 2012 07:26:58 GMT

SOCCER:JOHN O’SHEA will have to convince Giovanni Trapattoni he is fit enough to play a part at the European Championships by the time the Republic of Ireland play Hungary in Budapest next week, the manager said prior to departing with his squad for Italy yesterday morning.

Tipperary empty the bench to spare the horror show

Mon, 28 May 2012 07:26:57 GMT

GAELIC GAMES:STUDIES INTO quite what explains the popularity of horror movies tend to find their way to one of two conclusions. Either people are not actually scared by what they see but rather are excited and confuse that excitement for fear. Or else they willingly go through terror in order to experience the euphoria that comes with the relief of everything being okay in the end.

No dulling the pain as opportunity is lost

Mon, 28 May 2012 07:26:57 GMT

RUGBY:THIS WAS no way to end another fantastic season. However, for the third campaign in a row, Leinster will carry the bitter taste of a Rabo-Direct Pro12 League final defeat into their summer months. This one, as Leo Cullen admitted afterwards, tasted the worst, all the more so in front of a sun-drenched, carnival-like sea of blue after finishing ten points clear of the Ospreys and the rest.

Holders Merrion bow out

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:27 GMT

CRICKET:MERRION FELL at the first hurdle in their defence of the Lewis Hohn Williams Leinster Senior Cup on Saturday, losing by five wickets to YMCA at Claremont Road.

Webber wins again in Monaco

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:27 GMT

FORMULA ONE:MARK WEBBER celebrated the eighth win of his Formula One career as history was made in yesterday’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Scowling Roddick biggest loser on day one

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:27 GMT

TENNIS:AFTER ANOTHER quick start to the diminution of British interest – Elena Baltacha lasted a tick over an hour against Sam Stosur in the first result of the 2012 French Open – attention switched later to the embarrassment of others, and Andy Roddick was a scowling loser at the end of day one.

Bresnan puts England within reach of victory

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:27 GMT

CRICKET:TIM BRESNAN led England to the brink of a series-clinching victory on day three of the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge.

Ireland too strong for England in Cork

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:27 GMT

BOXING:Irish light-flyweight Jason McKay was edged out by Muhammad Ali at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork on Saturday night.

Coyle looks safe for Olympic spot but must sit and sweat

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:27 GMT

MODERN PENTATHLON:Ireland’s Natalya Coyle finished 21st in the 2012 World Cup final in China yesterday, and now seems mathematically safe for an Olympic slot.

Emotional Hesjedal becomes first Canadian to win Giro

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:27 GMT

CYCLING:Ryder Hesjedal became the first Canadian to win a Grand Tour when he snatched victory in the 2012 Giro d’Italia yesterday after faultless riding in the final time trial.

Morrison 'delighted' with Madrid result

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

TRIATHLON:Aileen Morrison achieved the best result by an Irish triathlete to date and proved she is a serious contender when it comes to the London Olympics after her second place finish at the Madrid ITU Triathlon World Series on Saturday afternoon.

Jezierski finishes seventh in 'A' final

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

CANOEING:NEWLY-QUALIFIED Olympian Andrzej Jezierski reached an A Final in Ireland colours at the Canoe Sprint World Cup in Duisburg in Germany yesterday. The 31-year-old won his semi-final of the C1 200 metres on Saturday, but did not have a good start in the final and finished seventh in a race won by Spain’s Alfonso Benavides.

The feeling of a long hot summer ahead as Joe goes on the attack

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

TV VIEW:IT WAS bucketing down in Monaco while the sun was splitting the goalposts in Thurles, and it’s not often you can say that. And for some reason best known to themselves the BBC gave Eddie Jordan umbrella-carrying duties as he and his colleagues wandered around after the Grand Prix, his arm stretched to snapping point as he tried to shield six foot, four inch Jake Humphrey and David Coulthard’s figure-hugging white pants from the deluge.

McMahon touched off in 50m breaststroke final

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

SWIMMING:SYCERIKA McMAHON won a silver medal on the final day of competition at the European Championships in Debrecen, Hungary, yesterday.

Five titles decided at national sailing event

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

SAILING:RACE READY Record fleet turns out for national championship

English closing in on the Olympic A-standard time

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

ATHLETICS:AT THIS rate it may only be a matter of time before Mark English runs the Olympic A-standard but for now improving his own Irish junior 800 metres record to 1:45.77 on Saturday evening represents another significant breakthrough.

Baldo is first ever French winner

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

CYCLING AN POST RÁS:ALTHOUGH IT didn’t achieve its primary goal of repeating its overall win of last year, the An Post Grant Thornton Seán Kelly team ended the An Post Rás in a successful way yesterday. The Irish-sponsored squad clocked up first and second place on the final stage to Skerries, with 2011 champion Gediminas Bagdonas and talented 21-year-old Sam Bennett leading the main bunch home.

Channon's Samitar wins in style

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

RACING:BEFORE YESTERDAY’S Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas the stage looked set up perfectly for another milestone moment in Aidan O’Brien’s momentous career: instead it was Mick Channon and champion apprentice jockey Martin Harley who broke their Classic duck in style with the 16 to 1 shot Samitar.

Ballinrobe preview: Darroun to bounce back

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

RACING:DARROUN can bounce back to winning form at Ballinrobe tonight after a lacklustre French expedition just eight days ago.

Golden Lilac in full bloom

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

RACING:GOLDEN LILAC got the better of the hat-trick-seeking Cirrus Des Aigles to make a winning seasonal reappearance in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp yesterday.

Lethargic Kingdom leave plenty in the tank

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

Kerry 0-16 Tipperary 0-10:AS JACK O’Connor stood in the centre of the pitch afterwards with his players circled around him, the set of his shoulders and jab of his finger told of a crankiness that wasn’t altogether surprising.

Tipperary have just about enough in reserve

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

Tipperary 2-20 Limerick 1-19:QUALIFIERS notwithstanding, yesterday must have been a time of great stress for Tipperary connections. Trailing by seven points heading into the last quarter, the GAA Munster hurling champions were staring down the barrel of the biggest surprise in the province for a while.

Freeman scores with first touch to show Monaghan the way

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

Monaghan 1-12 Antrim 1-9:EVEN THE best of summer Sundays can do with fairytales happening now and then and Tommy Freeman certainly provided the happy ending for Monaghan.

Meath take full control after shaky opening

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

Meath 0-16 Wicklow 0-11:RARELY HAS a Meath football team looked more nervous, unsure of themselves – flaky even – in the opening plays of a championship match. And rarely have they finished looking more composed.

Injuries dog Tyrone in run-up to Armagh clash

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

SEÁN CAVANAGH is set to miss Tyrone’s Ulster SFC opener against Armagh on Saturday week after suffering a shoulder injury during a club game yesterday.

Monaghan cruise through to last four

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:37:26 GMT

Monaghan 2-10 Antrim 1-2:MONAGHAN had little difficulty in booking their place in the semi-final of the Ulster minor football championship at the expense of Antrim in Clones yesterday.