A round-up of today's sports news in brief

Walsh takes June award

BOXING:Billy Walsh, high performance coach to the Irish boxing team, is the Philips Sports Manager of the month for June.

At the 2010 European Senior Championships held in Moscow last month, the Irish boxing team came away with a five-medal haul with gold and silver going to Paddy Barnes and Darren O’Neill respectively and three bronze-medal wins for Kenny Egan, Eric Donovan and Tyrone McCullagh.

Swail to defend title in Celbridge

SNOOKER:Joe Swail will kick off his defence of the Lucan Racing Classic at Celbridge Snooker Club on July 24th against 2007 winner Davy Morris. Fergal O'Brien, tournament host and organiser, starts his bid against former professional, Rodney Goggins from Wexford. O'Brien has appeared in the last three finals but has yet to take home the winners trophy. The 2008 winner, Ken Doherty, is unable to play due to other professional commitments. With Mark Allen and Patrick Wallace unavailable, it gives a great opportunity to potential future professionals, Martin McCrudden and Robert Murphy. Making up the draw are Dubliners Michael Judge and Celbridge resident professional Joe Delaney.

Lucan Racing Classic (July 24th, Celbridge Snooker Club): Fergal O’Brien v Rodney Goggins, Joe Delaney v Robert Murphy (12pm), Joe Swail v Davy Morris, Michael Judge v Martin McCrudden (3pm). July 25th – semi-finals, 12pm and 3pm. Final – 7pm.

Ireland target Bangladesh in bid to tie down 10th spot

CRICKET:A chance to cement 10th spot in the world one-day rankings is top of the agenda for Ireland as they face into the first of two RSA Challenge clashes against Bangladesh at Stormont in Belfast today (10.45), writes Emmet Riordan.

A victory today would move Ireland level with Zimbabwe in 10th spot, while a second win over the Tigers tomorrow would leave just 10 ranking points between the sides.

Ireland welcome back their four top County-based players to the squad that won six games out six to retain their World Cricket League crown in the Netherlands last week.

“We don’t want to let ourselves down at home and while the conditions might favour us it will not be an easy test, but we are confident going into both games we can get results, that’s something we are targeting,” said skipper William Porterfield yesterday.

With Andrew Poynter ruled out with a shoulder injury, Ireland’s starting XI picks itself.

 McSweeney breaks record

ATHLETICS:Cork sprinter Ailis McSweeney has given herself the best possible send-off to the European Championships by breaking one of the longest standing records in Irish athletics. Running in the 100 metres at the IAAF Permit meeting in Leige, Belgium, the 27-year-old McSweeney posted 11.40 seconds to finally eclipse the old national mark of 11.43, set 32 years ago by Michelle Carroll-Walsh in the old Europa Cup in Sittard, Holland.

McSweeney’s time is also well inside the qualifying standard of 11.50 to compete in the European Championships in Barcelona in 12 days time and having already been entered as part of the Irish team for the 4 x 100 m relay, all that is now left is for Athletics Ireland to add her name to the individual 100 metres.

Her previous best this season was 11.60, while her lifetime best stood at 11.59 from all of five years ago, in Cardiff. But having won the Irish title in Santry in convincing fashion it was clear she was coming into shape at the right time.

Watson gets name on the board

CRICKET:Shane Watson became the first bowler to etch his name on Lord's new honours board as Australia dismantled Pakistan's inexperienced batting to take control of the first Test.

Watson finished with figures of five for 40 as Pakistan crashed to 148 all out – 105 runs behind Australia’s first innings total of 253.

Lord’s introduced a new honours board for neutral Test matches ahead of this game, which is being played at the venue because of concerns over the security situation in Pakistan. Pakistan had bowled themselves into a strong position when Mohammad Aamer wrapped up the Australian innings this morning with his fourth wicket.

But Salman Butt was left to plough a lone furrow before he was bowled by Watson for a stylish 63 as Pakistan collapsed, losing nine wickets for just 103 runs.

Watson tore the heart out of Pakistan’s middle order.