Snooker: Ken Doherty, Fergal O'Brien and Michael Judge upset the form book yesterday as Ireland qualified for their first ever Nations Cup final appearance. The Dublin trio overwhelmed 1999 champions Wales 5-1 in Reading. The Republic squad made the most of their good fortune, highlighted by an outrageous fluke in what proved to be the final frame.
O'Brien found himself under the cosh against world champion Mark Williams and was grateful to see the final red fortuitously drop into a centre pocket. He cleared up to the final blue to leave Williams needing snookers and then later potted match-ball pink.
Judge got the underdogs off to a great start with victory over out-of-sorts world number one Mark Williams. O'Brien followed up in a marathon 60minute second frame by defeating world number six Matthew Stevens, and although Doherty went down to Dale the Irish were not to be denied.
Doherty and O'Brien teamed up to get the better of Williams and Stevens, while Doherty fluked the green in the fifth against Stevens for 4-1.
It was left for O'Brien to defeat Williams and propel the jubilant Irish into tomorrow's best-of-11-frames final against either Scotland or Northern Ireland, who play today.
CYCLING: Yesterday's stage of the Tour Down Under in Australia saw Ciaran Power continue his excellent run of form, taking 10th place on the 157-kilometre fourth stage to Strathalbyn, reports Shane Stokes.
The 24-year-old Linda McCartney rider crossed the line in the main bunch, 17 seconds behind a trio of riders which was led home by Australian rider Luke Roberts.
In addition to taking his third top 10 finish in four days, Power has also risen three places in the general classification to 18th overall. With two stages left, he is currently four minutes and eight seconds behind new race leader Nicolaj Bo Larsen of Denmark.
ATHLETICS: Seamus Power will face up to a strong African challenge in this afternoon's Belfast International Cross Country, to be held in the grounds of Stormont Estate. Power was told earlier this week that the race budget had been used up and he would have to pay his own way to Belfast. But last night he was informed that the race organisers would now look after his travelling expenses, avoiding what would have been an embarrassing situation if he ended up winning.
Gareth Turnbull, also part of the Irish team that took bronze medals at the European Championships in December, will take part in the shorter 4 km race in preparation for the short course race at the World Championships in March.
Paula Radcliffe of Britain is the obvious attraction in the women's race. Anne Keenan Buckley leads the Irish entries, and will be joined by Teresa Duffy and Maureen Harrington.
