Sports Digest
CYCLING: Cycling Ireland yesterday announced the composition of the Grant Thornton-backed Team Ireland squad which will represent the country in the World Road Race Championships in Madrid next week, writes Shane Stokes. Philip Deignan will hope to build on his fine debut pro season and the fifth place he achieved in the European Championship in Austria earlier this summer when he leads the charge in the Under-23 road race. He will be supported by Paídí O'Brien, Andrew McQuaid, Miceal Concannon and Ryan Connor in his bid for a medal.
Former world junior champion Mark Scanlon will line out in the Elite road race alongside fellow professionals David McCann and David O'Loughlin, the current Irish road race champion. The latter will be the country's sole entrant in the time trial events. All three have been in good form of late, with O'Loughlin winning the Mengoni GP and Scanlon taking second on a stage of the Tour de L'Avenir.
Siobhán Dervan's good season racing in Belgium sees her represent Ireland in the Elite women's road race. She met CI's criteria for selection earlier this month when she finished seventh in the Wielsbeke Grand Prix and she is hoping to ride well in her first world championship.
"A lot of people believe this team will do a great job in Madrid and I would certainly agree with that," said CI President Miceal Concannon at the launch. "I am very excited about this line-up. This it is the strongest Irish selection in many years."
Italian Paolo Bettini added his name to the list of favourites for the World Championship by scooping stage 16 of the Tour of Spain yesterday. He fended off compatriot Alessandro Petacchi by less than a wheel's width for victory in the 162.5-km leg from Leon to Valladolid. Spaniard Miguel Angel Martin Perdiguero finished third.
RUGBY UNION: Saracens back Nicky Little has been banned for 11 weeks. The Fiji international was cited by London Irish officials for striking Exiles fly-half Ross Laidlaw during a league game last week.
The suspension, which underlines the RFU's no-nonsense approach to indiscipline this season, will sideline Little until November 22nd. Saracens have 14 days to decide whether to appeal against Little's ban.
And Gloucester have followed Leicester's example and announced a two-week ban for hooker Rob Elloway following the 37-7 A League victory over Bath at Kingsholm. Elloway was yellow-carded as a result of an 80th-minute incident, but Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan convened an internal disciplinary hearing after reviewing a tape of the match. The fortnight's ban means Elloway is sidelined until September 27th. He admitted the offence.
Tigers last week took action against England World Cup winner Lewis Moody, imposing a four-week suspension after he struck Leeds' England Under-19 captain Jordan Crane.
BOXING: Leinster holds a monopoly in the Irish team named yesterday to fight in Cleveland against the US and Italy on October 14th, writes Pat Roche. There is one surprise with Jamie Conlon, the St John Bosco flyweight getting the nod ahead of his Belfast Colleague Ryan Lindberg of the Immaculate club.
Lindberg was convincing in his victory over Conlon in the final trials at the National stadium. The St Michaels Athy trio David Oliver Joyce at Bantam, feather Eric Donovan and welter Roy Sheahan deservedly earned places.
Two female boxers European champion Katie Taylor and multi Irish title holder Alana Murphy are included in the Irish team to compete against Canada later on in October.
IRELAND (v US and Italy): Fly: J Conlon (St John Bosco, Belfast). Bantam: D O Joyce (St Michaels Athy). Feather: E Donovan (St Michaels Athy). Light: D Murphy (St Saviours). Light welter: A Caryle (Golden Cobra). Welter: R Sheahan (St Michaels Athy).
IRELAND (v Canada): Bantam: S McKim (Abbey, Antrim). Feather B Harkin (Twintowns). Light: A Sadlier (St Saviours). Light welter: J J McDonagh (Brosna). Light middle: E Healy (Portlaoise). Female Representatives: K Taylor and A Murphy.
