SPORTS DIGEST:SOCCER: The Republic of Ireland women's Under-17 side were defeated 2-1 by Brazil in their opening World Cup game at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad on Monday evening.
Brazilian striker Glaucia scored the game’s opening goal after just four minutes, before Raheny United midfielder Siobhán Killeen scored a superb equaliser in the 58th minute.
However, Glaucia was on hand again to regain the lead two minutes later with a strike inside the box.
Ireland now face a stiff test tomorrow in the shape of Canada, who beat Ghana 1-0. Kick-off in Port of Spain is 9pm (Irish time).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: G Moloney, C O'Brien, M Campbell, J Gleeson, J Byrne, C Grant, A Gilroy (C Shine, 75), D Gorman (capt), D O'Sullivan, S Killeen (R Kearney, 90), S Donnelly (R Jarrett, 75). Subs not used: Z Boyd, T Kennedy, K Glynn, A Budden, H Scott, J Maloney, E Hansberry.
Roche ready to tackle mountains
CYCLING: Nicolas Roche will today have the clearest insight yet into his chances of a high overall finish in the Vuelta a España as the race moves into the high mountains. The 11th stage heads 208km to the Vallnord/Pal ski resorts of Andorra, and will be one of the most crucial stages of the race.
Roche rode solidly on yesterday’s 175km to Vilanova i la Geltrú, finishing with the main contenders and retaining eighth place overall.
First to the line was Spanish rider Imanol Erviti (Caisse d’Epargne), who was part of a 12-man breakaway early on, then pushed ahead inside the tough final 25km. He soloed in 37 seconds ahead of seven others, while the 51-man main chase group finished one minute 38 seconds back, sprinting for 11th place.
Roche rolled in towards the front, netting 27th to remain on the same time as the other race contenders.
Philip Deignan had another quiet showing, finishing 10½ minutes back in 88th place. He is 117th overall.
Higgins may learn fate today
SNOOKER: John Higgins is set to learn his fate today as the two-day tribunal to determine whether he conspired to fix matches comes to a close.
Former world number one Higgins (35) spent around nine hours defending himself against those allegations on day one of the hearing in central London yesterday.
More evidence may be presented today, after which a judgment is expected that could save or destroy Higgins’ career.
Niland gets back on track in France
TENNIS: Conor Niland put the disappointment of missing out on a place at the US Open behind him yesterday as he edged out Switzerland's George Bastl 4-6 6-4 6-4 in the first round of the ATP Challenger Tour event in St Remy, France.
Number eight seed Niland, whose ranking has improved one place to a career-high mark of 153, faces Belarus’ 166th-ranked Uladzimir Ignatik in the second round tomorrow. The Limerick man beat him 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 in a Challenger event in Russia in July.
Meanwhile, Sam Barry faces a huge challenge at the US Junior Open when he faces Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia/Herzegovina in today’s second round.
Barry, ranked 62nd in the world at Under-18, will take confidence from his victory over the third-ranked Dzumhur at the Belgian Junior Championships last May.
Stirling smashes 177 in Toronto
CRICKET: Paul Stirling rewrote the Irish one-day international scoring records in Toronto yesterday as his marvellous innings of 177 helped Phil Simmons' side post a massive 325 for eight in the second ODI against Canada, writes Emmet Riordan.
The total was an Irish record in an ODI, beating the 308 made against the same opposition in Kenya back in 2007, while Stirling’s knock beat Kevin O’Brien’s individual record of 142.
The Middlesex player, who turned 20 last Friday, was well on course to become just the second player to make a double century in an ODI after Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, only to fall off the last ball of the 45th over.
In compiling what is the 13th highest score in a one-day international, Stirling faced 134 balls, hitting 21 fours and five sixes.
Ireland lost the opening ODI to Canada on Monday by four runs on Duckworth Lewis, their first defeat to a fellow Associate nation since July 2008.
Harrington loses appeal for Galway disqualification
RACING:Trainer Jessica Harrington lost an appeal at the Turf Club yesterday against the disqualification of Magical Memoir at Galway 11 days ago.
The Turf Club’s appeals body upheld the decision of the racecourse stewards to place Magical Memoir behind Days Ahead, who passed the post second after interference between the horses on the run-in of a maiden hurdle.
However, after a hearing that lasted over 90 minutes, and included evidence from Harrington, Days Ahead’s trainer Eoin Doyle and jockeys Davy Russell and Mark Bolger, the appeals body, chaired by judge Tony Hunt, refused a Turf Club application for costs in the case.
Yesterday’s panel felt there was merit in the appeal and also ordered that deposits be refunded.
Harrington will hope for better luck at the Curragh on Saturday when she attempts to secure her first Group One prize in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes with her supplementary entry Pathfork.
