A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Flatley’s brace helps Connacht clinch youths title
SOCCER:Connacht edged out Munster in yesterday's concluding series of FAI Youths interprovincial ties in Wexford to claim the national title.
Victories over Ulster (4-1) and Leinster (2-1) for the westerners on Saturday meant a point at the home of Gorey Rangers FC would suffice against a Munster side that could also lift the trophy if they won.
Two goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second half by Castlebar Celtic’s Liam Flatley handed Connacht a commanding lead, one they preserved 18 minutes from time thanks to a penalty save by goalkeeper Adam Chambers from Chris McCarthy’s spot-kick.
Reigning champions Leinster rounded off a poor weekend by earning their first point from a 2-2 draw against Ulster.
Twinlight rewarded for game front-running performance
RACING:Twinlight put up a game front-running display to outpoint his four rivals in the Faber Audiovisuals Ballybrit Novice Chase at Galway yesterday. The Willie Mullins-trained 15-8 favourite was headed just briefly by Argocat at the final fence but he responded to Ruby Walsh's urgings.
Twinlight pulled away on the run-in to score by two lengths. Cootamundra was making eyecatching progress having been held up when he came down at the last. Walsh said: “He was a bit keen early and recovered well from two mistakes. In fairness, it was a good performance and he keeps surprising me.”
The jockey honours earlier on the card went to Davy Russell, who netted a near-28-1 hat-trick on Rogue Angel (1-6 favourite), Shrapnel (9-2) and Lastoftheleaders (7-2).
Meanwhile, Brown Panther proved a big disappointmfor as Les Beaufs (9-1) made all to take Group One honours in the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp, and Tom Dascombe’s stable star finished towards the rear. Les Beaufs won by four and a half lengths from Silver Valny, with Rollex Borget third.
Pembroke still six points clear following big win over Avoca
HOCKEY:Pembroke remain six points clear at the top of the Leinster Senior League following their 5-1 win over Avoca. The Ballsbridge side are chased by Three Rock Rovers and further behind third-placed UCD who are aiming for their most successful season ever this year.
Rovers kept their second place thanks to a last-gasp winner from Ali Haughton while a second-half hat-trick from Stephen Brownlow helped Glenanne bounce back from being 1-0 down to Fingal at the break to David Bane goal to win 4-1. It proved a sort of reverse to what happen between Fingal and Avoca a few weeks ago when Fingal hit the late goals to snatch a first seasonal victory from the Blackrock club.
Corinthians earned a good 3-2 win over Monkstown at Whitechurch with UCD keeping their high standing with a hard-earned 3-2 win over Railway Union.
There are now only two points separating five teams in the mid section of the table with UCD’s 15 points marginally ahead of Corinthians on 14 points and Monkstown, YMCA and Railway each on 13 points each.
Meanwhile goals from Audrey McCormack and Kerri Maunsell gave Glenanne their first points of the season on Saturday in a 2-1 win over Corinthian, Pembroke Wanderers and North Kildare drawing the only other Leinster First Division fixture of the weekend.
In the Irish Hockey Trophy all three home teams in Saturday’s ties advanced, Church of Ireland, Genesis and Our Ladys taking their places in the second round with wins over Banbridge, Wexford and Naas, respectively.
San Francisco Tigers take control
BASEBALL:The San Francisco Giants edged a step closer to the 2012 World Series title on Saturday night by posting a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park to go 3-0 up in the best-of-seven series.
Veteran pitcher Ryan Vogelsong continued his fine post-season form, throwing 5 2/3 solid innings with four walks and three strikeouts to keep the Tigers at bay on a chilly evening in Detroit.
Reliever Tim Lincecum and closer Sergio Romo saw the game out as San Francisco became the first team to achieve consecutive shutouts in the World Series since the Baltimore Orioles in 1966.
Gregor Blanco’s go-ahead triple to right-centre and Brandon Crawford’s RBI single – both in the second inning – proved decisive as the Giants moved within a game of clinching a second World Series crown in three years.
Vogelsong, who has overcome a string of injuries and personal setbacks in his career, was thrilled to have led his side to the brink of glory but warned there was still work to do.
Notable success for Dun Laoghaire duo
SAILING:Dun Laoghaire sailors Barry Hurley and Andy Boyle pulled off an impressive international offshore victory on Saturday morning when the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC) pair won the double handed class of the Rolex Middle Sea race with just minutes to spare.
Just 12 hours earlier the pair looked certain to finish outside of the time limit for the 600-mile marathon as light winds thwarted progress of the 35 foot yacht, Dinah.
Instead stronger winds finally arrived overnight on Friday to give the Dun Laoghaire yacht speeds of up to 17 knots to cover 120 miles in ten hours, sweeping them to victory with just 25 minutes to spare after a week at sea.
A total of 83 yachts from 19 countries were racing in thee 33rd edition of the race with six yachts competing for the double-handed prize. It was Hurley’s fifth appearance in the race.
Irish Ambassador to Malta Mr Jim Hennessy was dockside to welcome the Irish yacht, a modified Jeanneau, back to the Royal Malta Yacht Club just after 9am on Saturday morning.
