Swimming: Trinity student Colin Lowth, a member of the Cormorant Club in Dublin, was narrowly edged out of the semi-finals in the 200 metres butterfly at the European championships in Helsinki yesterday.
The dedicated Lowth was hugely disappointed, despite being the least under pressure of the Irish contingent to produce a time worthy of consideration for the Sydney Olympics. He had set his sights much higher and hoped to get inside his personal best (2:01.96) for the distance. But he failed to strike an even balance with his going-out and coming-back times and had to be content with 2:02.76, a veritable blink of an eyelid away from the final 18. He finished up 19th out of a field of 31.
Lowth goes in the 100 metres butterfly tomorrow. Lee Kelleher of Cork competes in the women's equivalent today. Meanwhile, the other half of the Irish elite squad set off yesterday to compete in the Scottish Open championships in Glasgow, again with Olympic qualification in mind.
Hockey: Ireland must defeat Poland in Prague tomorrow to avoid the unthinkable prospect of being relegated to the C Division of the women's European under-21 championship, yesterday's crushing 12-0 win over Azerbaijan providing a little comfort.
The Irish women were not in control of their own destiny as they attempted to gain promotion into the top flight. An earlier 2-2 draw between Belarus and Scotland rendered yesterday's outing as little more than an academic exercise.
Jenny Osborne, the UCD striker, hit four of the goals, the others coming from Jenny McDonough (2), Orlaith Curtin (2), Ciara O'Brien (2), Pamela Magill and Orla Ryan.
European Under-21 Championship (B division, in Prague) - Pool A: Belgium 3, Lithuania 3; Czech Republic 3, Poland 2; final standings: 1, Lithuania 7 pts; 2, Czech Republic 6 pts; 3, Belgium 4 pts; 4, Poland 0. Pool B: Ireland 12, Azerbaijan 0; Scotland 2, Belarus 2; final standings: 1, Scotland 7 pts; 2, Belarus 5 pts; 3, Ireland 4 pts; 4, Azerbaijan 0.
Soccer: Cork City directors are aiming to have a new manager in place in time for their friendly against Wolverhampton Wanderers on July 19th following the sudden departure of Colin Murphy earlier this week. Murphy left Turner's Cross after just two months to take up a coaching job with Premiership club Leicester City. Dave Barry's former assistant at the club, Liam Murphy, has taken Temporary charge of the team which is preparing for the new season and, in particular, its forthcoming UEFA Cup match in Switzerland.
