ATHLETICS: Athletics Ireland yesterday finalised the Irish teams for the upcoming European Cup competitions, which take place on the weekend on June 21-22nd. The men's team competes in the Second League Group A, hosted by Lappenranta, Finland, while the women's team competes in the First League Group A, hosted by Aarhus, Denmark, writes Ian O'Riordan.
On the men's side, there are high hopes for success from Paul McKee, the World Indoor bronze medallist from Birmingham last March, who not surprisingly was selected in the 400 metres over Tomas Coman, who had also been showing good early-season form.
Also likely to lead the drive for promotion to the First League is James Nolan, who is selected in the 800 metres. The 1500 metre place went to 2001 World Student Games bronze medallist Gareth Turnbull, who has finally put his injury problems behind him.
With Sonia O'Sullivan unavailable because of her spell at altitude training in Switzerland, the women will look to Karen Shinkins for top points in her speciality, the 400 metres. There are similar hopes for Ciara Sheehy (100/200 metres) and Derval O'Rourke (100 metre hurdles), who both performed so credibly in Birmingham.
TENNIS: Andre Agassi celebrated his personal millennium yesterday with victory at the Stella Artois Championships in London in his 1,000th professional match.
The 33-year-old juggled swirling winds and a lively Peter Luczak of Australia to win 7-6 6-4.
