A round-up of other sports news in brief
Davies chasing Irish Open hat-trick at Portmarnock
GOLF: Laura Davies will be on a mission to equal Sophie Gustafson's record of three Ladies Irish Open titles and claim the top prize of €75,000 when she tees up in the AIB Ladies Irish Open, supported by Fáilte Ireland, at Portmarnock Hotel and Links tomorrow.
Davies won the event in 1994 and 1995 at St Margaret's, while Gustafson won in 1998 at Ballyliffin, in 2000 at Faithlegg and at Mahoney's Point in Killarney in 2003.
After arriving in beautiful weather yesterday, Davies was relishing the opportunity to compete for a third Irish Open trophy and her second title of the season after her victory at the Australian Open.
"I haven't seen the course yet but I like links golf and I just need to get a bit of confidence back," said Davies.
Cluskey topples fourth seed
TENNIS: Dubliner James Cluskey displayed tremendous courage and resilience to topple number four seed Colin O’Brien in the Irish Men’s Open Futures at Fitzwilliam yesterday.
The situation looked distinctly unfavourable for unseeded Cluskey yesterday when he found himself a set and a break down against his former Davis Cup doubles partner.
But he stormed back to win the next five games against the Malahide left-hander to force the contest into a decider. And he eventually clinched a place in the quarter-finals on a 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7/2) scoreline, after a riveting contest lasting two hours and 51 minutes.
Cluskey now faces third seed Philippe de Bonnevie of France today.
Ireland top pool for semi-finals
HOCKEY: A 1-0 win over Malaysia at the Champions Challenge II in Russia yesterday was enough for Ireland to finish top of their pool, ahead of Ukraine on goal difference, to set up a semi-final meeting with Belgium tomorrow, writes Mary Hannigan.
Lisa Jacob got the goal after 18 minutes when the UCD captain deflected home Ireland’s second penalty corner of the game after being picked out on the right post by Shirley McCay.
Malaysia rallied in the second half, winning four short corners in quick succession, but the Irish defence held firm, earning coach Gene Muller’s praise after the game.
Captain Eimear Cregan may beavailable for the semi-final. The Limerick woman missed the pool phase after straining an ankle.
IRELAND: E Gray, E Clarke, E Stewart, B McKeever (capt), S McCay, C McKean, A Speers, N Symmons, L Jacob, N Small, L Barr. Subs: E Smyth, M Frazer, L Colvin, M Harvey, R Flinn.
Martin gets call to ride Tour
CYCLING:Dan Martin got a major thumbs up from his Garmin Slipstream team yesterday when he was confirmed for the squad for the Tour de France, writes Shane Stokes.
The 22-year-old Irish road race champion is only in his second year as a professional but will make his debut in the race on July 4th.
“I’m very happy to get the place,” he told The Irish Times yesterday. “I didn’t know for sure until today, although I was obviously hoping to be selected. I’m looking forward to it, even if it will be the hardest and longest race I’ve ever done.”
The Birmingham-born rider is nephew of Stephen Roche, who won the race in 1987. He is a former British junior champion but declared for Ireland several years ago.
He’s registered several strong results in his 18 months as a pro, winning the 2008 Route du Sud and then finishing second on a mountain stage plus second overall in the recent Tour of Catalunya.
O'Brien ruled out for six weeks
CRICKET: Ireland Wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien will be out of action for up to six weeks, writes Emmet Riordan. An MRI scan has confirmed two tears in his right ankle, which he injured during the World Twenty20 tournament.
It is a big blow for the 27-year-old Dubliner as he was looking to continue his good form from the on his return to action with Northamptonshire.
O’Brien will miss the start of Ireland’s Intercontinental Cup defence against Kenya next week and the three One-Day Internationals that follow against the African side.
However, O’Brien says he is confident of a swift return to action.
