SPORTS DIGEST:MOTO GP: The aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan has led to next month's round of the MotoGP World Championship being rearranged for October 2.
The event was originally scheduled for April 24 at the Motegi circuit 90 miles north of Tokyo, but has been postponed following a request from the promoters to the FIM, the sport’s governing body.
The FIM confirmed a combination of the problems caused by the natural disasters and radiation leaks from nuclear plants had caused the race organisers to reschedule.
The Japanese round of the season was also moved from its original date last year following the fallout of the volcanic eruption in Iceland. The revised date for this year’s race means it slots into the calendar between the Aragon and Australian Grands Prix. The new MotoGP season is due to get under way at Losail in Qatar this Sunday.
UCD aiming to complete Gannon Cup four-in-a-row
ROWING:UCD are strong favourites to complete a four-in-a-row of Gannon Cup titles when they take on Trinity in the Colours rowing races on the river Liffey in Dublin tomorrow.
The spectacle of two eights charging down the relatively narrow channel from O’Connell Bridge to Heuston Station could be a perfect fit for early morning on the national holiday. The novice races start at 8 am, with the Corcoran Cup for senior women set for 9 am and the Gannon Cup (senior men) at 9.30.
Five of last year’s UCD crew – Colm Pierce, Richie Murray, Dave Neale, Finbarr Manning and Peter Grogan – are named again tomorrow. While Turlough Hughes (who is injured) may be a loss, Seán Jacob, a 38-year-old international who has returned to college this year, should strengthen the line-up.
Trinity put out the crew which was fourth fastest at last weekend’s Erne Head of the River.
Corcoran Cup holders Trinity will be bidding to defend their crown from a UCD team intent on revenge.
Gray seals double for Alexandra
SCHOOLGIRLS HOCKEY:Alexandra College captain Nicola Gray struck two identical penalty corner goals to complete an unlikely 4-3 comeback against St Andrew's to win the Senior Schoolgirls Premier League title, adding to their recent Senior Cup success.
Andrew’s looked well on course to earn revenge for that cup final defeat of 10 days ago when they led 3-1 at half-time.
But Hannah McDermott – who scored the silver goal winner in the first meeting – gave her side a lifeline and Gray slapped home two excellent corner goals to give her side a 4-3 win at Grange Road, yesterday.
Next on the agenda for Alex is an All-Ireland bid as they bid to claim the Kate Russell Cup in Limerick on March 24th and 25th.
Connacht’s Coláiste Iognáid became the fifth side to qualify for the competition with their victory over Salerno and now join Ulster’s Lurgan College, the South East’s Loreto, Kilkenny and Munster hosts Crescent Comprehensive.
Evans does enough to prevail in Italy
CYCLING:Australian Cadel Evans won the Tirreno-Adriatico race yesterday when he held off his rivals in the final time trial won by Swiss Fabian Cancellara.
BMC rider Evans, the 2009 road world champion, finished 31 seconds off the pace but it was enough to secure overall victory.
Dutchman Robert Gesink was second overall, 11 seconds adrift, with Italian Michele Scarponi taking third place four seconds further back.
Evans, who took the overall lead on Sunday, started cautiously and lost nine seconds to Gesink in the first part of the course before recovering and claiming some time back.
Giro champion Ivan Basso of Italy, who started the day in third place, never found a rhythm and dropped to fourth overall. Cancellara, a three-times time trial world champion, was once again in a class of his own, beating Dutchman Lars Boom by nine seconds over 9.3km.
O’Byrne takes up basketball job
BASKETBALL:Basketball Ireland yesterday announced the appointment of Bernard O'Byrne as their new secretary general. He will take up his new post next Monday, March 21st.
O’Byrne previously held senior positions with Coca-Cola, Nestle Ireland and CRH Plc and is a former chief executive of the FAI.
He said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be taking on the challenge of increasing the participation, commercial income and general profile of basketball in Ireland.”
