A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Curry has ban halved after appeal
CRICKET: Former Ireland international Desmond Curry is free to play for his club Limavady again after the one-year ban he received for incidents arising out of an Irish Senior Cup game last June was reduced to six months on appeal, writes Emmet Riordan.
At a rehearing of the case, Curry, 45, was found liable in respect of the level four charge of assault against Instonians’ Irish international player Andrew White, but not liable in respect of the level three charge for threat of assault.
An independent arbitrator appointed by Just Sport Ireland upheld three of the original charges – namely, abuse of cricket equipment, showing dissent at an umpire’s decision, and using language that was obscene, offensive or insulting. Curry has decided to appeal against the latest decision and the matter will now be heard by an Appeals Commissioner.
O'Rourke looking to improve on season's best in Belfast
ATHLETICS: The usually slow-burning indoor season reaches a sort of early climax this weekend with the National Indoor Championships in Belfast – with Derval O'Rourke again providing the headline act in the 60 metres hurdles, Ian O'Riordanreports.
O’Rourke is the only Irish athlete pre-selected for next month’s World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, and is likely to be joined by only a couple more, including Ciarán O’Lionaird in the 1,500 metres.
For now O’Rourke will be looking to improve her season’s best of 8.16 seconds possibly get under the eight-second mark, which she did once before in Belfast, and in fact passed up another racing opportunity in Germany last night in order to hit something of a peak in tomorrow’s final.
With the likes of David Gillick, Paul Hession and Alistair Cragg all likely to pass on the World Indoors, this weekend’s championships are less of a trial and more about winning national titles.
In the women’s 800m, UCD scholarship athlete Ciara Everard will be out to retain her title after breaking Sonia O’Sullivan’s 22-year under-23 indoor record when running 2:05.76 at the Intervarsity’s Championships last weekend.
It’s a busy weekend across the Atlantic too, with Waterford and Providence College athlete David McCarthy leading the Irish challenge in famous Wanamaker Mile at tonight’s Millrose Games, and where a DCU team that includes John Coghlan, son of Eamonn, will also be contesting the college distance medley.
Ainslie cleared to chase fourth gold
SAILING:Triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie was given the green light to compete at the 2012 London Games when he escaped further punishment yesterday for confronting a TV crew at the world championships last year.
The five-times world Finn champion was disqualified from the Perth competition for “gross misconduct” in December after boarding a media boat and remonstrating with the crew for impeding his progress.
Ainslie feared the Royal Yachting Association might impose a further penalty that could thwart his Olympic hopes.
British sailing’s governing body decided, however, that the original sanction was sufficient. “It would not be appropriate for the tribunal to impose a penalty over and above that imposed by the international jury at the event,” the association said.
Ainslie (35), has won two Olympic Finn golds and one in the Laser Dinghy.
Armagh book place in last four
GAELIC GAMES:St Patrick's, Armagh, booked their place in the MacRory Cup semi-finals with a 0-17 to 2-7 win over St Patrick's, Dungannon, at the Athletic Grounds last night. The Academy got off to a dream start with a goal after just 15 seconds from midfielder Peter McKenna, and a second from Stefan Lavery midway through the first half.
Armagh, who trailed by 2-3 to 0-8 at the interval, dominated the second half, with Michael Carson bringing his tally to six, and Sean McLoughlin, Philip Kelly and Daniel McQuade all hitting quality points.
ARMAGH: M Hynds; G Mackin, S Farry, S Freeman; M Carson (0-6, 5f), C White, S Connell; P Campbell, D McQuade (0-1); M Jones, T Murphy (0-3), T Conlon (0-1); C McKenna (0-1), S McLoughlin (0-2), P Kelly (0-2). Subs: J McElroy for Conlon, T Lardner (0-1) for McLoughlin.
DUNGANNON: S O’Neill; M McAleer, D Maneely, S Hamill; C McCabe, C Corrigan, B Murty; D Carroll (0-2), P McKenna (1-0); P Donnelly, R McGlone, C Mallon (0-2, 2f); S Lavery (1-0), A McGarrity (0-2, 1f), K O’Gorman (0-1). Subs: R Devlin for Lavery, S Molloy for Donnelly, S Hampsey for Murty, H Loughran for McGarrity Referee: B Cassidy (Derry).
Breen second in Rally Sweden
MOTOR SPORT: Craig Breen is holding second place after day two of Rally Sweden in the SWRC section of the World Rally Championship. Breen, who won the first round in Monte Carlo in January, is trailing leader PG Andersson by two minutes and six seconds after yesterday's eight stages.
Breen had been over nine seconds off the pace after a puncture on the Super Special Stage in Karlstad slowed him up. However, he got back on track yesterday finishing third on stages two and three to climb to third overall behind home favourite Andersson and wildcard Pontus Tidemand. The 22-year-old then had his fastest time of the day winning stage four and keeping himself in third position.
A collision with a snow bank on stage eight for Tidemand meant the Swede having to stop due to his front air intake being blocked. Breen capitalised and moved into second. Rally Sweden continues today finishing tomorrow.
Ireland look to keep up perfect record in Kenya
CRICKET: At least one international team is guaranteed a little warmth this weekend as Ireland get their season under way with a four-day Intercontinental Cup clash against Kenya in Mombasa early tomorrow morning, writes Emmet Riordan.
Temperatures are expected to rise to the mid 30s as Ireland go in search of a third straight win in the competition after home victories over Namibia and Canada at the end of last summer.
Barring Niall O’Brien, who is line to play his first game in the new Bangladesh Premier League today, Ireland coach Phil Simmons has a full-strength squad to pick from.
It’s almost six years since Ed Joyce has played first-class cricket for Ireland, but the Sussex left-hander’s experience in county cricket will prove invaluable.
Trent Johnston is back bowling again after recent knee surgery, while Surrey wicket-keeper Gary Wilson will take the gloves in the absence of O’Brien.
