BOXING: O'Neill falls in quarters

Kilkenny middleweight Darren O'Neill was beaten by Scotland's Fundo Mhura yesterday in his quarter-final bout in the European Senior Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

The Paulstown club fighter lost on the 20-point rule when the referee stopped the contest in the third round with the score 33-13.

The fight was a huge opportunity for O'Neill to win a medal at European level and it slipped from the Kilkenny man's grasp in a fight he was capable of winning.

The 22-year-old Scot had an awkward and unorthodox style, presenting O'Neill with few chances, tying him inside and opening a lead. The Scot won the opening exchanges, leading 6-3 in round one, which increased to 19-8 by the end of round two.

At 29-13 O'Neill put Mhura on the canvas and forced a count. On return to action the Scot was awarded four quick scores and at the bell it reached 33-13.

Meanwhile, Neilstown's Kenneth Egan will face Artur Beterbiev of Russia in today's light heavyweight semi-final.

EQUESTRIAN: World Games squad named

A squad of 10 riders and 12 horses have been nominated for Ireland's team for the show jumping at next month's World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

Five riders will make the trip to the games, with the final quintet due to be finalised on August 22nd.

World number two Jessica Kürten tops the list, and is joined by Marion Hughes, Cameron Hanley, Cian O'Connor, Shane Breen, Billy Twomey, Peter Charles, Capt Shane Carey, Edward Doyle and Kevin Babington.

O'Connor and Twomey have been named with two horses apiece, but there is no place in the squad for Dermott Lennon, who won individual gold at the last world games in Jerez, Spain, four years ago.

Anna Merveldt and Judy Reynolds have been named for the dressage in Aachen and Barry Capstick for the carriage driving.

The games, which run from August 20th to September 3rd, are costing the German hosts 39.3 million to stage.