Cricket: Victory for Ireland over New Zealand in their first Women's Cricket World Cup match was certainly not expected, but the fact that the Irish self-destructed did not help their cause at the BIL Oval at Lincoln near Christchurch yesterday. New Zealand raced to a facile eight-wicket win, with 25 overs to spare.
Having won the toss, Ireland skipper Miriam Grealey sensibly decided to bat first, and though they managed to bat out down to the last of the 50 overs, a total of four run-outs was to prove expensive. Only Caitriona Beggs and Nikki Squire put up any resistance, while Grealey contributed nine runs.
Beggs top-scored with 31 and faced 105 deliveries, scoring one four before being run out. Squire, who was also run out, hit 18 off 46 balls.
An unbeaten 49 (69 balls, five fours) earned New Zealand opener Paula Flannery the player of the match award, while Anna O'Leary and Rebecca Rolls contributed 26 and 19, respectively. Ireland's next match is against Australia at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch tomorrow; "another step along the learning curve", said Ireland's coach John Wills.
Motor Sport: Ireland's top performers of 2000 were honoured at a celebration lunch in Dublin yesterday by Motorsport Ireland, the governing body. In all seven awards were presented to reflect outstanding achievement in karting, motor racing and rallying both at home and abroad. In addition a special Hall of Fame Award was presented to former Formula One Driver Derek Daly, who represented Ireland with distinction on the international stage during the late 1970's and 1980's. The other awards presented were: Michael Devaney (junior kart champion), Mark Ffrench (Irish kart champion), Paul Dagg (Dunlop Irish Racing Driver of the Year), Paul Harris and Eugene O'Donnell (Dunlop National Rally champions 2000), Damien Faulkner (International Racing Driver of the Year), Rory Galligan (Billy Coleman Award). The Billy Coleman award, presented to 27-year-old Galligan, is a completely new award which was set up at the start of the year by Motorsport Ireland working in conjunction with rally clubs around the country. The award, named after the all-time rallying great, was created to encourage and support up-and-coming young Irish drivers. In addition to a cheque for £20,000, Galligan will receive coaching and professional advice.
Gaelic Games: Cavan corner back Rory Donoghue and centre forward Larry Reilly have both been summoned to appear before the GAA's Games Administration Committee (GAC) for their involvement in the on-pitch brawl during last Sunday's National Football League match with Sligo.
Donoghue was red-carded immediately after the incident while Reilly was seen to be involved in the initial tussle with Sligo's Ken Killeen. Both Killeen and Sligo midfielder Paul Durcan have also been called before the GAC - and not midfielder Eamonn O'Hara as was initially disclosed by the county board.
The four players will now appear at the GAC meeting next Tuesday to learn of their suspensions under the new `closed-season' rules.
