A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Fitzmaurice and Foley take the honours in Abbeyleix
MOTORSPORT: THE opening round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel Rally, was won by the Kerry crew of Thomas Fitzmaurice and Fionn Foley in their Subaru WRC.
In an absorbing tussle through all nine stages, they finished 17 seconds ahead of the Cork/Mayo combination of Brian O’Mahony and John Higgins, also in a Subaru WRC. Monaghan’s, Niall Maguire and Enda Sherry Subaru WRC were third – 44 seconds further adrift.
The Group N category was won by Robert Barrable and Dermot O’Gorman (Skoda Fabia S2000) and Frank Kelly and Liam Brennan (Ford Escort) took victory in the Modified section.
Fitzmaurice (Subaru WRC) set the pace and opened up a three-second lead over the Subaru WRC’s of Brian O’Mahony (Subaru WRC) and Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC). Dubliner Robert Barrable (Skoda Fabia S2000) was fourth – eight seconds further behind.
Three of the top ten starters failed to finish the loop. Garry Jennings retired when the ex-Donnelly Toyota Corolla failed to start after it stalled. Roy White (MG S200) and Steve Simpson (Subaru WRC) both crashed out.
Over the second loop, O’Mahony trimmed the deficit to five seconds as Fitzmaurice survived a major moment on S.S. 4. O’Mahony mounted a bank on S.S. 7 but still had the same stage time as his rival. Fitzmaurice emerged victorious to take his first ever rally win.
Cleverly turns on class for home fans
BOXING:Nathan Cleverly produced a classy, assured display on his homecoming to comfortably retain his WBO light-heavyweight crown with a unanimous decision victory over American Tommy Karpency at Cardiffs Motorpoint Arena on Saturday.
The 25-year-old was the overwhelming favourite going into the fight against the Pennsylvania southpaw, and was eager to impress in his first fight on home turf in over four years.
And he did so in superb fashion, taking control of the bout from the first bell to the last, not losing a round as all three judges scored the fight 120-108 in the Welshman’s favour after Karpency, who battled gamely throughout, found his speed and accuracy too much to handle.
But Karpency refused to bow and briefly rocked the Welshman with a left in the final round.
The win extends Cleverlys unbeaten record to 24 wins, with this his 13th fight to go the distance.
Checa bounces back after crash
MOTO:Reigning World Superbikes champion Carlos Checa bounced back from a crash in the opening race of the new season to win yesterday's second race at Phillip Island. But Max Biaggi is the early leader in the standings after a win and a second place in the day's double-header.
Biaggi won the first race by an impressive seven seconds from compatriot Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad), who edged out Effenbert Liberty’s Sylvain Guintoli for second.
Britain’s Tom Sykes was fourth for Kawasaki, having started on pole after yesterday’s Superpole session was cancelled due to the death of 17-year-old Superstock 600 rider Oscar McIntyre in the preceding support race.
Jakub Smrz was fifth, while reigning series champion Checa crashed out spectacularly while leading the race early on.
Biaggi, having started race two from second, ran off course on the first lap after swerving to avoid Sykes worked his way back through the field to his original grid position.
Lomu treated in hospital again
RUGBY:The wife of former All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu says the ailing rugby star is again in hospital receiving treatment for kidney failure.
The 36-year-old Lomu received a kidney in a transplant operation in 2004 after his own kidneys failed as a result of the rare illness nephrotic syndrome.
Nadine Lomu, who is also his manager, said yesterday her husband had been admitted to hospital but was fighting “a great battle” against his illness.
Rangers get some points on the board
SOCCER: Rangers gave their supporters some much-needed cheer with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Inverness to secure their first Premier League points since going into administration.
Goals from Steven Davis and Sone Aluko put Rangers two ahead inside 16 minutes and Andrew Little justified his selection up front with a composed finish.
Steve Williams headed one back before the break but the champions remained in control and Lee McCulloch netted an opportunistic fourth from his striker’s role.
The players came into this game knowing there is a real possibility some of them may lose their jobs in the coming week as administrators prepare to review staffing across the club. But they produced a highly professional display to send the buoyant away fans home happy.
Four look certain for Olympic spots
EQUESTRIAN:Ireland look certain to have at least four riders qualified for this summer's Olympics ahead of Thursday's March 1st deadline.
Billy Twomey and Denis Lynch have secured two showjumping places following the weekend’s action at the five-star Swedish show in Gothenburg, while Camilla Speirs and Mark Kyle picked up enough points in Co Cork to bag two places in the eventing competition.
Speirs (22) held on to her overnight lead to win the CIC class at the Goresbridge Go For Gold international horse trials at Ballindenisk on Saturday afternoon with the 12-year-old Crosskeys Rebel gelding Portersize Just A Jiff.
Elizabeth Power has endured two disappointing seasons but hopefully the tide has turned for the Co Meath rider who finished second in the CCI on the thoroughbred gelding September Bliss.
