Other sports news in brief
Women's Under-17 side in Uefa final
SOCCER:The Republic of Ireland Women's Under-17 team secured their place in the Uefa Championship final with a 1-0 victory over reigning champions, Germany at the Colovray Stadium in Nyon yesterday. Irish defender, Megan Campbell produced the game's only goal after 38 minutes when she scored with an audacious free-kick from 30 yards, just on the stroke of half-time.
That win means that Ireland will now face Spain in the Uefa Championship final on Saturday, and have qualified for the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup finals which will take place in Trinidad and Tobago from September 5th-25th.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:Grace Moloney, Ciara O'Brien, Megan Campbell, Jessica Gleeson, Jennifer Byrne, Ciara Grant, Aileen Gilroy, Dora Gorman (C), Denise O'Sullivan, Siobhan Killeen, Stacie Donnelly. Subs: Niamh McLaughlin, Rianna Jarrett (on for Donnelly, 63 mins), Tanya Kennedy, Kerry Glynn, Amanda Budden, Claire Shine, Harriet Scott.
Northants suspend Niall O'Brien over late return
CRICKET:Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien has been suspended and stripped of the vice-captaincy by his county side Northamptonshire after he reported back late from last Thursday's One-Day International against Australia, writes Emmet Riordan.
O’Brien, 28, played in Northants’ T20 victory over Leicestershire at Grace Road last Friday but was not picked for Sunday’s defeat to Derbyshire or last night’s game against Nottinghamshire
Northants chief executive Mark Tagg said: “He’s been suspended from his vice-captaincy for an internal disciplinary matter which is ongoing. Theres a meeting to take place, and it will be sorted out this week. When he next plays is up to the coach.”
Meanwhile, Niall’s younger brother Kevin will captain Ireland for the first time against West Indies ’A’ in the first of two one-day games at Stormont today (10.45am).
He steps in as Trent Johnston is still recovering from a bruised thumb, picked up against Australia.
-EOIN MORGAN hit his second one-day century for England to lead them to a four-wicket victory in the opening NatWest Series ODI clash against Australia at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.
The 23-year-old Dubliner made an unbeaten 103 from just 85 deliveries, bringing up the victory with the 16th four of his innings.
Australia had earlier made 267 for seven from their 50 overs in the day/night clash with Michael Clarke top-scoring with 87 not out.
Leaders 50 miles ahead of rest
SAILING:The leading boats in the Conway Media Round Ireland Race were last night approaching Malin Head and are expected to finish the 704-mile contest in the early hours of tomorrow morning – or a little later, writes David Branigan.
Confounding expectations, Piet Vroon’s Tonnerre de Breskens 3 continued its lead established from minutes of starting the race on Sunday but the larger Rosslare Europort skippered by Steve White was gradually hauling in its smaller rival for the “line honours” trophy.
Both boats were duelling some 50 miles ahead of the next group of boats though all 37-boats had successfully reached the Atlantic coast with no retirals reported.
Inis Mor skippered by Bernard Guoy from Clifden Boat Club was passing home waters in third place but also provisionally listed as the overall leader after IRC-handicapping was applied.
Mick Liddy and Mark Pollock on Team Daft were chasing to oust him from third place on the water.
Murphy penalised for slow play
GOLF:Carlow golfer Aedin Murphy was penalised for slow play in the Women's British Open Amateur Championship at a sun-drenched Ganton in Yorkshire yesterday.
The 21-year-old international said: “It is something I am constantly working on. I try and walk quickly between shots but then have to go through a certain routine or else my concentration goes and I cannot focus” said Murphy.
Despite the penalty Murphy still leads the Irish challenge and returned a 79 and still has a realistic chance of making it into the last 64.
Cork’s Gillian O’Leary (27) with one double bogey and five bogeys posted an 80 while Sarah Cunningham from Ennis appears out of the hunt after taking 88.
There was a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard with American Taylore Karle, Scotland’s 18-year-old Curtis Cup player Sally Watson and Canadian Sue Kim all returning scores of one under par 72.
Barritt looks to hold down spot
RUGBY:Brad Barritt will become the latest import to try to make England's inside centre position his own when he lines up against the New Zealand Maori in Napier today.
Shontayne Hape and Riki Flutey have both made the journey from New Zealand into England’s midfield since Martin Johnson took over as manager in the summer of 2008.
Barritt is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Mike Catt, who was also born in South Africa.
