Today's other sports in brief
Hatton back to winning ways
BOXING:Ricky Hatton overcame a handful of booming left hands to get back into the winning habit and line up a world title showdown against IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi in America in November. Hatton claimed a points win over durable Mexican Juan Lazcano in front of 57,000 at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Malignaggi also failed to impress on the undercard with a split-decision victory over South African Lovemore N'Dou.
Williams out of Wales squad
RUGBY:Newport Gwent Dragons scrumhalf Andy Williams is the latest player to withdraw from Wales' summer tour to South Africa after suffering a back injury in training. Williams has been sidelined for three weeks after requiring an injection to manage the problem.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is already without leading scrumhalf options Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel plus Grand Slam winners Gavin Henson, Lee Byrne, Martyn Williams and Huw Bennett.
But he has decided not to call up a direct replacement for Williams because Gareth Cooper will be free to depart with the squad on May 29th after Gloucester failed to reach the English Premiership final.
Cooper and uncapped London Irish scrumhalf Warren Fury will travel as the only specialist scrumhalves with winger Shane Williams to be used as emergency back-up.
Gatland is set to add Richard Hibbard to the touring party after he replaced Bennett in the training squad this week.
Harte's golden-goal secures title
HOCKEY:Aoife Harte's golden-goal meant Hermes reclaimed their position as All-Ireland club champions, taking back the trophy they won two years ago by defeating Loreto 1-0 in yesterday's final.
It was a sublime effort, set up by 16-year-old Chloe Watkins whose pass found the onrushing midfielder.
Harte's initial effort was blocked by Rachel Keegan's foot but a good advantage from umpire Lyn Morrow allowed her to carry on, picking up the ball and hammering into the bottom corner.
The changing of the guard was apparent in Saturday's semi-final when Hermes deposed last year's champions, Pegasus - a side complete with five retired internationals in their squad.
Hermes coach Colin Stewart has protested numerous times this season that his side is in transition with former internationals Catriona Carey and Mary Logue retiring while Jenny Burke missed the end of the season due to pregnancy.
Add to that, captain Fiona Connery missed the final as she flew out to her wedding and you would be forgiven for agreeing with Stewart But, at Belfield yesterday, his side came of age and in the process secured a golden future for the club.
Sier holds his nerve to claim victory for Rovers
HOCKEY:Three Rock Rovers broke Pembroke Wanderers' two-year hold on the All-Ireland club championships with a ferocious Maarten Sier drag-flick.
It came 47 seconds before the end of golden goal extra-time and proved to be the Dutchman's final touch in a Rovers jersey but was undoubtedly his most important.
Three Rock coach Turloch O'Siochain went into the finals weekend believing his side to be rank underdogs but they stood their ground in the face of a mighty Pembroke tide to claim their first President's Trophy.
The sides qualified for the final in the most disparate of fashions - Rovers coming through in an 11-goal classic while Pembroke got by after a tough, scoreless battle with old rivals Glenanne. Indeed, television replays suggested that the Glens were unlucky to be eliminated after Gary Shaw's effort was ruled out for being adjudged outside the circle. The Tallaght side eventually lost 4-2 on strokes.
In the final, Pembroke - going in search of three in a row - settled the quickest with veteran Gordie Elliott looking the likeliest to unlock his former club's defence.
Neither side, though, could get a crucial goal leading to extra-time. Three Rock, again, had most of the forward momentum and were eventually rewarded when Phelie Maguire was bundled over on his path to goal. Sier held his nerve to convert to give the Rathfarnam side the the top prize in Irish hockey and a coveted EuroHockey League berth.
Bath win European Challenge Cup
RUGBY:Bath won their first trophy for 10 years to give departing England internationals Steve Borthwick and Olly Barkley a dream send-off.
England and Bath captain Borthwick held aloft the European Challenge Cup following a fascinating Kingsholm final highlighted by its punishing physical nature.
Despite an erratic refereeing display from French official Christophe Berdos, Bath did enough to deny Worcester a victory that would have secured Heineken Cup qualification next season. Harlequins will now take England's sixth European Cup place, joining Bath, Gloucester, Leicester, Wasps and Sale Sharks.
Bath, having lost four successive finals in three different competitions since winning the European Cup in 1998, scored tries through flanker Jonny Faamatuainu and full-back Nick Abendanon.
Lynch on the double in Rome
EQUESTRIAN:Denis Lynch won the two international classes at the five-star show in Rome yesterday on two 11-year-old geldings belonging to his patron Flaminia Straumann, Margie McLoone reports.
In the afternoon's accumulator, Tipperary-born Lynch and Upsilon d'Ocquier gained the maximum 44 points in 36.35 to beat Britain's Robert Smith and the Irish-bred Mr Springfield (36.45). In the evening's Grand Prix, the German-based rider and his Nations' Cup ride Lantinus recorded the only double clear in the 60 starter competition.
At home, Francis Connors and Highfort Stud's Merlins Magic won the Grand Prix at Rolestown to head the grand prix league on 17 points.
