DIGEST: Mary McKenna has beaten a field of internationals to win the Spanish Seniors Amateur competition at Sherry Golf Club.
McKenna's score of 152 was enough to beat overnight leader and Scottish seniors champion Pamela Williamson by six shots on the course situated in the Cadiz region of southern Spain.
McKenna also overcame the challenge of defending champion Cecilia Mourgue d'Algue of France in wet and windy conditions. Mourgue d'Algue added a 77 to her opening 78.
Leading final scores: 152 M McKenna (Irl) 75, 77; 154 G Ekman (Swe) 77, 77. 155 C Mourgue d'Algue (Fra) 78, 77. 156 C Marsans (Spn) 78 78, V Pertierra (Spn) 78, 78. 158 P Williamson (Sco) 74, 84. F Anderson (Sco) 79, 79.
Jessica Kurten returned to her customary position at the head of an international field yesterday, winning the Carlsberg prize at the Belgian showjumping fixture in Hasselt, reports Grania Willis.
The world number two steered eight-year-old stallion Commandor home clear in 25.65 seconds to claim victory in the two-phase event.
The win followed hot on the heels of Thursday night's second place in Hasselt in the late jump-off class. Kurten used the horsepower of eight-year-old stallion Carving for the two-rounder, finishing 2.5 seconds off the pace set by Dutch winner Piet Raymakers.
Loreto's Nikki Keegan is the surprise inclusion in the Irish hockey squad for next month's four nations tournament in Argentina, which forms part of their build-up to April's World Cup Qualifier in Rome. Keegan had not been in the 21-strong panel that travelled to South Africa earlier this month for an unsuccessful tournament in Durban, writes Mary Hannigan.
Coach Riet Kuper called up the uncapped Keegan on the strength of her form in the panel's training camp in Spain at the beginning of the year.
Elaine Bromell and Katharine Elkin have been dropped after the South African trip while Hermes full back Fiona Connery is unavailable due to work. The tournament will pit Ireland against world champions Argentina, Olympic champions Germany and the United States.
"The South Africa camp showed that lots of work needs to be done but at the same time it made all the players aware that there is no time to waste and that a 100 per cent focus for the next eight weeks is required," said Kuper.
IRELAND: L Caulfield (capt), C Carey, K Farrell (all Hermes), C McKean, N Symmons, N Keegan, L Healy (all Loreto), A Platt, B McKeever (both Ballymoney), J Orbinson, E Cregan (both Push, Netherlands), A Speers, S Beaney (both Pegasus), Z Dahl (Old Alexandra), F Ferguson (Pegasus), M Goode (Cork Harlequins), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), C O'Brien (Railway Union), C Parkhill (Randalstown).
David O'Loughlin conceded time to the leaders on the fourth stage of the Amgen cycling Tour of California, the Navigators Insurance professional losing 57 seconds to the peloton at the end of the 210.7 kilometre race from Monterey to San Luis Obispo. He crossed the line in 103rd place.
First home was Juan José Haedo (Toyota-United Pro), outgalloping Fred Rodriguez (Davitamon-Lotto), André Korff (T-Mobile Team), and Gordon Fraser (Health Net p/b Maxxis).
Race leader Floyd Landis finished in the bunch, preserving his 29 second lead over Dave Zabriskie. O'Loughlin is 10 minutes and nine seconds down in 53rd.
