A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Lochte anchors US relay team to gold
SWIMMING: Ryan Lochte capped a golden day for the US when he overhauled a flying French 4x200 metres freestyle team to ensure the Americans won their fourth successive title in the event at the World Swimming Championships in Shanghai yesterday.
The 26-year-old Lochte had earlier romped to victory in the mens 200 metres backstroke title before he anchored the relay team, which also included Michael Phelps, to claim his fourth gold medal.
Hopes for a top-eight swim from distance specialist Gráinne Murphy in the 800m freestyle were dashed, after she finished 17th out of the heats in 8 minutes 35.17 seconds . Barry Murphy finished 35th in the 50m freestyle, while Melanie Nocher finished 23rd after posting a time of 2:13.39 in the 200m backstroke.
Impressive Irish beat Argentina
HOCKEY: Ireland impressed with a 4-1 win over Argentina in their third game of the INSEP Five Nations Challenge in Paris yesterday.
Michael Watt got Ireland off to a flyer with a superb solo effort after four minutes. Six minutes later after great work by Peter Caruth down the left and into the circle, a penalty stroke was awarded and despatched by John Jermyn.
Ireland continued to control the game against opponents ranked seven places above them in 11th place in the world. Despite being reduced to 10 men, as Paul Gleghorne saw green, Ireland almost extended their lead in the 25-minute after a great run by Caruth resulted in shot by Timmy Cockram which was well saved.
Cockram made amends in the next attack with powerful reverse shot into bottom corner with five minutes left to half-time.
Argentina pulled one back after the break, through Ibarra’s penalty stroke, but Watt’s superb finish on 70 minutes completed the scoring.
Chamney joins Irish injury list
ATHLETICS: Injuries have hit hopes of having a strong Irish team for the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu next month.
Already without David Gillick (400m) and Ailis McSweeney (100m), Thomas Chamney, the national 800m champion and Beijing Olympian, yesterday announced he has been forced to cancel all plans for any competition during the 2011 summer season because of an injury which he has been nursing for the past few months.
The European Youth Olympics concluded yesterday with Ireland’s Karl John Griffin taking bronze in the men’s 800m final. Marcus Lawlor was fifth in the 200m final with 21.57, just outside his best.
Usain Bolt defied gusting winds to blaze to victory over 200m at the Stockholm Diamond League meeting last night, winning in 20.03 seconds.
Bogey-free round shoots Masson into top spot
GOLF: Germany’s Caroline Masson is a shot clear at the top of the British Women’s Open leaderboard after carding a blemish-free second round of 65 at Carnoustie yesterday.
The 22-year-old, who turned professional last year, moved on to 11-under-par with her impressive second round, which included four birdies on the front nine and a further three on the back nine.
South Korean duo In-Bee Park and Meena Lee were a shot behind Masson after the former shot an eight-under-par round of 64 to move into contention while overnight leader Park signed for a 69 to remain in the hunt.
Another South Korean pair were two shots further back, with Se Ri Pak and Na Yeon Choi tied for fourth along with Holland’s Dewi Claire Schreefel.
Ireland’s Rebecca Codd missed the cut by a single shot, after a second round 75 left her two over for the tournament, while a second-round 76 left Stephanie Meadow seven over.
Cribben steps down in Offaly
GAELIC GAMES: Tom Cribben informed Offaly county board chairman Pat Teehan yesterday he will not be seeking a fourth year in charge of the senior football panel. Offaly were well beaten by Wexford (0-16 to 0-8) in the Leinster first round on May 28th and despite rallying to beat Monaghan their championship campaign was ended by Limerick (3-13 to 0-15) on July 9th.
The county board expect to announce a new football and hurling manager next month.
Hall holds nerve to see Ireland home
CRICKET: Waringstown’s Josh Hall held his nerve at the death for the second straight day as Ireland beat Afghanistan by four runs in their second Under-19 World Cup qualifier match at Balrothery yesterday, writes Emmet Riordan.
The all-rounder bowled the final over with Afghanistan requiring 11 runs with two wickets remaining. And having hit the winning boundary off the penultimate ball against the USA on Thursday, Hall’s over went for just six runs, with a run out coming from the third delivery before he bowled Najibullah Zadran as he was attempted to hit the six needed off the final ball to secure the win.
Ireland were again saved by their lower-order batting, with Andy McBrine making 50, Adam Coughlan 28 and Barry McCarthy a vital run-a-ball 47 as Ireland closed on 212 from their 50 overs.
Today is a rest day, with Ireland facing Scotland at Milverton in Skerries tomorrow (10.45).
