A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Dutch end their long losing streak
CRICKET: The Irish women’s team went down to their first defeat to the Netherlands since 1989 as they lost by two wickets in a European Championships clash in Utrecht yesterday.
Ireland got off to the worst possible start after being put in to bat by the home side, losing opener Rebecca Rolfe to the first ball of the game after she was bowled by Laura Brouwers.
Skipper Isobel Joyce also went early after making four and when Kim Garth departed after making a patient 20 from 58 balls, Ireland were 49 for four.
Runs from Laura Boylan (19) and Amy Kenealy (21) not out helped get Ireland into three figures but a total of 116 was always going to be hard to defend.
The Dutch were cruising to the total 79 for two in the 30th over, but both Kenealy and Elena Tice struck twice in an over to slow down their progress before they got home with two overs to spare.
Loeb and Citroen extend partnership
RALLYING: Multiple World Rally champion Sebastian Loeb has reached an agreement to remain with Citroen for another two years.
The move puts an end to speculation the 37-year-old Frenchman, winner of the last seven titles and current championship leader, could retire at the end of the season.
Loeb said: “With the arrival of other manufacturers in the championship, the competition is going to get tougher in the years to come.”
Loeb joined Citroen in 2001, winning his first rally the following year and claiming his maiden title in 2004.
Citroen general manager Frederic Banzet said: “Sebastien Loeb is a great ambassador for the make. We’re proud of his loyalty to Citroen and of the fact that he’s continuing with his career with the team that’s supported him since his debut.”
DCU's Gregan goes hunting for a medal in Shenzhen
ATHLETICS: DCU student Brian Gregan will be looking to claim a medal finish in the final of the 400m at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China today after winning his semi-final heat in a time of 46 seconds flat yesterday.
Gregan kept Russian Valentin Kruglyakov in his sights over the opening half of the race, staying in line with the apparent leader, until he surged ahead in the final 100 metres, winning by .07 of a second.
UUJ’s Amy Foster narrowly missed out on a spot in the 100m finals after finishing the semi-finals with a time of 11.60.
In swimming, Niall Wynn, Karl Burdis and Bethany Carson set new personal bests after finishing in the top of their event heats.
Wynn finished the 200m IM in 2.05.88 giving the UCD student 20th position in the event, while Burdis placed sixth in his heat of the 100m butterfly with a time of 56.02.
Carson surpassed her best time in the women’s 100m butterfly with a final time of 1.02.79 after placing second in her heat.
Irish squad to be confirmed
BOXING: The Irish Amateur Boxing Association will meet on Saturday to ratify their squad for the upcoming AIBA World Championships and Olympic qualifiers in Azerbaijan.
IABA President Tommy Murphy confirmed yesterday that Saturday’s meeting will begin at 11am at the National Stadium in Dublin. The AIBA World Championships, which will also act as the first major qualifier for male boxers for the 2012 Olympics, glove off in Baku on Monday, September 26th.
Boxers finishing in a top-10 position in eight of the weight divisions from light-flyweight to light-heavyweight in Baku will book their tickets for the 2012 Olympics. Boxers in the heavyweight and super-heavyweight classes will have to finish in a top-six position to qualify for the 30th Olympiad.
A 15-strong Elite Irish squad will leave for an eight-day training camp with hosts Italy, Ukraine and Azerbaijan in Assisi on Friday.
