Equestrian Sport: Ireland's European gold medal show jumpers claimed the Canadian Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows in Calgary for the second successive year on Saturday, but the resulting move up to second in the Samsung league has been rendered somewhat meaningless following last week's announcement that Ireland will not be fielding a team for the Madrid final in 10 days' time, writes Grania Willis.
Germany held the advantage at the break on eight faults, with the Irish in third on 12, a single point adrift of second-placed Switzerland. But clears were hard to come by over Leopoldo Palacios' technical 12-fence track, with Peter Charles and his Hickstead Derby winner Corrada providing one of just four in the entire competition.
With the pressure building in the second round, the German and Swiss challenges faded, but the Irish and Americans redoubled their efforts and, in a mirror image of the European championships when anchorman Dermott Lennon was called on to clinch the gold, all eyes were once again on the Co Down jockey. With room for only one mistake, Lennon and Liscalgot returned the desired four-faulter to leave Ireland out in front of the Americans, with the Germans and Swiss next in line.
The German challenge faded at the European young rider three-day event championships as well. Leading after the dressage, the Germans dropped to second after the cross-country behind the British team, which had been only eighth after the first phase just behind the Irish.
Even with the team reduced to three following the withdrawal before the cross-country of defending champion William Clarke whose horse Gemstone got a knock, the Irish still pulled up to fourth after the cross-country, but more than four fences off a medal. A disappointing show jumping round from Rozzie Watson and Floating - the only Irish pair to go clear across the country - dropped the team to fifth, with the medals going to Britain, Germany and Finland.
Rugby: Barry Everitt produced another match-winning performance as London Irish beat Leeds 42-14 at Reading yesterday to move into second place in the Premiership behind early pace-setters Sale.
Outhalf Everitt, who booted 22 points to shoot down Harlequins last weekend, kicked another 27 after London Irish fought back from a 14-9 interval deficit. Amazingly, he has not missed a kick so far this term, slotting 18 out of 18. Yesterday. he landed seven penalties and converted tries by Chris Sheasby, Brendan Venterand Richard Bates.
Athletics: Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago, tested positive to the banned substance ephedrine at a meeting in the US earlier this year, the IAAF said on Saturday. But Boldon (27) will not be suspended as the offence is only punishable by a public warning and disqualification from the meet.
Tennis: Ireland's women took pride of place at this weekend's Home Countries tournament in Glasgow finishing runners-up to England after a good final day against the Welsh. Gina Niland and Elsa O'Riain recovered from a drubbing at English hands on Saturday to beat Wales in all three ties.
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Women's Football: Despite a slow start, Mayo rallied and gained a five point win over Clare (1-11 to 0-9) in the All-Ireland semi-final at Ballinasloe on Saturday. Cora Staunton was the star figure emerging with 1-5 .
Scorers : Mayo: C Staunton (1-5), E Mullen (0-3), C Heffernan, D O'Hora and M Heffernan (0-1 each); Clare: M Griffin (0-5), E Morrissey, C Daly, C Walshe and O Keane (0-1 each).
