A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Collapse costs Ireland dear in Dubai
CRICKET:A middle order batting collapse cost Ireland dear in Dubai yesterday as they went down to a six-wicket defeat to Zimbabwe in their opening warm-up game ahead of the World Cup, writes Emmet Riordan.
Despite losing Paul Stirling for six early in their innings, the Irish pairing of William Porterfield and Ed Joyce had pushed the scoreboard along to 111 when the dreaded Nelson struck.
After adding 105 for the second wicket, a drive from Porterfield deflected off the bowler and Joyce was run out for 45.
It signalled an Irish collapse with seven wickets falling for just 43 runs, with Porterfield’s 66 and 41 from Andrew White the only other notable scores as Ireland were bowled out for 204.
Opening batsman Brendon Taylor guided Zimbabwe to victory with 42 balls to spare, hitting an unbeaten 82 and adding 102 in a fourth-wicket partnership with Craig Ervine.
Meanwhile, England captain Andrew Strauss has admitted that former Ireland player Eoin Morgan could be ruled out of the World Cup because of a fractured finger.
“He’s got a broken finger,” said Strauss. “We’re pretty confident the other guys are going to be fit, but Eoin Morgan we are not sure of at this stage. It’s a big loss potentially.”
DCU get better of college rivals
BASKETBALL:DCU Saints have put themselves in a great position to finish second in the Northern Conference and gain home advantage in the play-offs after an 83-76 win away to recently crowned National Cup champions UCD Marian, writes Shane Whelan.
A tight encounter swung in Saints’ favour in the last two minutes with Kevin Lacey hitting a crucial three to bring his total to nine points in the quarter.
“It was a very valuable win,” said Saints coach Vinny O’Keeffe. “It’s a bit of a dog-fight between ourselves, UCD and Belfast Star for the play-off spots and we have earmarked second spot, so hopefully this will go a long way in achieving that goal.”
UL Eagles are proving unstoppable at the top of the Southern Conference, recording their sixth straight league win 100-75 at home to Neptune.
Cameron Mitchell, who is averaging just over 24 points per game, produced another impressive scoring display with 31 points.
Elsewhere, UCC Demons maintained second in the Southern Conference after a crucial 98-88 win over Belfast Star.
Brammeier 10th
Matt Brammeier made an excellent debut with the HTC Highroad team yesterday, netting a fine 10th in the opening prologue of the Tour of Qatar, writes Shane Stokes.
The Liverpool-born Irish road race champion covered the 2.5km circuit nine seconds off the winning time set by Dutch rider Lars Boom (Rabobank).
Boom beat the runner-up, world time-trial champion Fabian Cancellara, by four seconds.
Brammeier was best-placed of the HTC Highroad team.
Monaghan cruise
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL:Ulster champions Monaghan cruised to a 2-14 to 0-7 victory against beaten 2010 All-Ireland finalists Tyrone as the Bord Gáis Energy NFL swung into action yesterday.
In Division Two, All-Ireland champions Dublin began their campaign in ominous fashion with a 2-17 to 1-4 victory against Armagh.
In Division Three, Clare opened with a 2-9 to 0-7 win against Down.
Kubica injured in Italian rally
MOTOR SPORT:Formula One driver Robert Kubica had surgery yesterday for injuries sustained in a "high speed" crash in Italy's Ronde di Andora Rally.
“After undergoing extensive medical checks this morning, Robert Kubica has been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand,” his Lotus Renault GP team said in a statement.
The incident came five weeks before the new Formula One season starts and places a doubt over whether the 26-year-old Pole will be fit to compete.
Kubica was driving a Skoda Fabia when the car left the road and collided with a church wall.
Brady wins U-20 cross country
ATHLETICS: The weather held up well at the Woodie's DIY Cross Country Championships at Alsaa yesterday.
Underfoot conditions did suffer, however, as a result of heavy rain in the hours leading up to the event that resulted in the organisers making slight changes to the course.
Liam Brady (Tullamore Harriers), winner of the Under-19 title a few weeks ago, headed a strong Irish Under-20 team as part of the Celtic international.
On the final lap Brady dug deep and finally broke away to win in good style from Ross Matheson of Scotland.
A second Celtic win followed when Laois’ Michael Mulhare broke away from the field at an early stage and cruised to an easy Under-23 victory.
In the women’s Masters race, Annette Kealy (Raheny Shamrock AC) broke clear to win from Carmel Crowley (Bandon AC).
McMahon wins
SWIMMING:
Sycerika McMahon from New Ross was the star performer when the Dave McCullough long course meeting concluded at Plassey yesterday.
She won the 400m and 100m freestyle and the 200 individual medley to qualify for the European Championships in Serbia.
Aisling Cooney is off to the World Universities championships after a personal best of 1.03.24 to beat Emma Cassidy from Sunday’s Well in the 100m backstroke.
Shani Stellard also qualified for the Europeans thanks to a PB in the 200m breaststroke in 2.23.63.
Mick Spain dies
GAELIC GAMES:The death took place on Saturday of Offaly's Mick Spain, writes Seán Moran.
From the Kilcormac/Killoughey club, he was a former trustee of the GAA and Offaly’s Central Council delegate for 25 years.
A prominent referee, he took charge of the 1972 All-Ireland hurling final in which Kilkenny beat Cork, and had the distinction of refereeing county finals in three counties on the same day.
Killimor book place in final
CAMOGIE:Killimor emerged from a dog-fight at Duggan Park to book their place in the All-Ireland Senior Club final at the expense of Oulart-The Ballagh.
Both sides showed tremendous battling qualities in heavy conditions as the Ballinasloe pitch understandably cut up in its second game after torrential rain.
Killimor led at half-time 0-5 to 0-4, Martina Conroy converting a 45 and a free to go with a point from play for the Galway team.
Ursula Jacob slotted two frees for Oulart and added two more points after the resumption, while Una Leacy brought her tally to two from play.
But Conroy converted another 45 and two frees, and with Brenda Hanney, Emer Herbert and Susan Keane providing scoring back-up, Killimor prevailed 0-9 to 0-8.
In the Intermediate semi-final played before the senior match, The Harps of Laois beat a gritty Sarsfields 2-12 to 1-7.
