A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Murray looks to Lendl for some Major inspiration
TENNIS: Andy Murray has appointed former world number one Ivan Lendl as his full-time coach. World number four Murray will begin working with Lendl immediately as they prepare for the Australian Open next month.
“Ivan’s impact on the game is unquestionable and he brings experience and knowledge that few others have, particularly in major tournaments,” said the 24-year-old Scot.
Murray added: “It was important to me that any new person joining my team was able to add fresh insight. I look forward to working with him going forward.”
Czech-born Lendl (51) is one of the most decorated players of all time, a winner of eight Grand Slam tournaments.
In a statement released through Murray’s management company, Lendl said: “I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with Andy.
“He is a unique talent and I look forward to trying to help him reach his goals.”
Murphy on mark for Leicester
RUGBY: Ireland international Geordan Murphy was amongst the try-scorers as Leicester secured their fourth Premiership victory in a row by seeing off Sale 28-23 at Welford Road.
The Sharks were in danger of being over-run when they fell 17-0 behind after only 20 minutes, but they showed spirit to fight back and had Leicester nerves jangling towards the end before a late Toby Flood penalty secured a home win.
Leicester will reflect on their failure to collect a bonus point after being in total control for much of the match.
Bath claimed their first league victory for two months after they battered title play-off contenders London Irish into submission courtesy of a 30-3 success.
An early try by prop Anthony Perenise set the tone and World Cup-winning outhalf Stephen Donald added a conversion and two penalties to put daylight between the teams.
Scrumhalf Michael Claassens then sealed victory when he rounded off a brilliant 80-metre counter-attack sparked by fullback Nick Abendanon and wing Tom Biggs, before Bath were awarded a penalty try four minutes from time.
Gloucester’s Freddie Burns earned his side a 15-15 draw away to Saracens with a late penalty in a game played in shocking conditions.
Burns shared the scoring honours with Sarries outhalf rival Owen Farrell, who nudged his side 9-6 ahead in the first half, after Burns missed a drop-goal attempt just before the interval.
Farrell then stretched his side’s advantage to six points early in the second, but Burns levelled matters and repeated the dose three minutes from time after Sarries had again edged ahead in the 67th minute.
Worcester’s 6-0 victory at Adams Park meant Wasps started the new year with a fifth successive defeat in the Premiership, their longest league losing streak in 10 years.
Warriors outhalf Joe Carlisle scored the only points of the game – a penalty in each half.
Verdasco leads Spain to victory
TENNIS:Fernando Verdasco fought off a valiant effort by former world number one Lleyton Hewitt to help Spain get a 2-1 win over hosts Australia in the Hopman Cup in Perth yesterday.
The 30-year-old Hewitt, playing his first match since September in his latest comeback from a bad toe injury, produced a superb second set before world number 24 Verdasco took the match 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
Hewitt’s team-mate Jarmila Gajdosova defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the women’s singles but third-seeded Spain won the mixed doubles 6-3, 3-6, 11-9. Despite being a constant subject of retirement speculation, Hewitt refuses to accept that his injury makes it impossible to scale the heights again.
“I just want to play pain-free this year and hopefully finish my career in a good way over the next couple of years,” Hewitt said. “I feel pretty good tonight, maybe I should just chop the foot off.
Bohemians call on Callaghan
SOCCER: Bohemians have appointed Aaron Callaghan as their new manager after Pat Fenlon's recent move to Scotland to take the reins at Hibernian.
The 45-year-old has worked as coach tutor with the Football Association of Ireland and has held a number of positions at both League of Ireland and Irish league clubs.
Most recently, he was a first-team coach with St Patrick’s Athletic.
During his playing career, Callaghan spent 10 years playing in England, spending time at Stoke City, Oldham Athletic, Crewe Alexandra and Preston North End.
A defender, he was capped for the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level and also played with Shelbourne, St Patrick’s Athletic, Dundalk, Longford Town and Irish League outfit Crusaders.
Lohan on the road after indoor win
TENNIS: Tramore's Sinéad Lohan had no time to rest on her laurels after landing the women's singles title in the National Indoors Championships at the tender age of 16.
Just over 24 hours after her 6-0, 6-0 demolition of fellow Fed Cup player Lynsey McCullough at David Lloyd Riverview, Lohan set off from Dublin Airport yesterday for two ITF under-18 tournaments in Spain.
“I got a great start against Lynsey when I broke her after advantage in the opening game,” said Lohan.
Meanwhile, Niall Fitzgerald is hoping to captain Notre Dame University to major success on the US collegiate circuit after avenging his 2010 men’s singles defeat by Georgia’s Lazare Kukhalashvili on a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 margin.
The Greystones player’s win was achieved against the odds as he had trailed by 1-4 in the final set before reeling off the next five games.
