Other sports news in brief
Polish trip in serious doubt
BOXING: The Irish senior squad’s participation in the Feliks Stamm tournament in Poland is in doubt because of the air travel restrictions. World champion Katie Taylor, Ken Egan and World Youth champion Ray Moylette were named in a 10-strong squad to take part in the Warsaw Multi-Nations.
The squad are due to depart for Poland tomorrow but, with most flights in and out of European countries grounded, it’s unlikely they can travel.
Ireland lose out by 18 runs
CRICKET:A blistering innings of 62 from Niall O'Brien wasn't enough to push Ireland over the line as they went down to an 18-run defeat against a West Indies XI in their Twenty20 clash at Sabina Park on Saturday, writes Emmet Riordan.
The Northants left-hander enjoyed the innings of his life on the ground three years ago, when his knock of 72 helped Ireland beat Pakistan during the World Cup.
This time around his team-mates were unable to seal the deal after he departed in the 18th over. Ireland finished their 20 overs on 153 for seven after the home side had earlier posted 171 for seven.
The 19-year-old Paul Stirling drew applause from the partisan home crowd for his knock of 33 from 19 balls at the top of the order.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul displayed his class with 64 from 47 balls, sharing in a 72-run second-wicket partnership with Wavell Hinds, who made 45.
Alex Cusack finished as the pick of the Irish attack, claiming three wickets for 19 from his three overs.
Double clears sees Lennon take fifth
EQUESTRIAN SPORT:Dermott Lennon, riding Woods Rosbotham's Hallmark Elite, finished fifth in the Rolex FEI Show Jumping World Cup, won for a third time by Germany's Marcus Ehning in Geneva yesterday, writes Margie McLoone.
Carrying 10 penalties through from the first two rounds, Lennon recorded two brilliant clears with the 10-year-old to divide yesterday’s third round competition with the US’s Richard Spooner on Cristallo and Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum on Gotha. In finishing equal fourth on Plot Blue, Ehning completed the final on a total of six penalties, with Beerbaum and Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer (Carlina) sharing second place overall on seven penalties.
Former world champion Lennon said: “I’m delighted with the horse as he’s relatively inexperienced at this level and we had only three World Cup qualifiers before arriving at the final. But over the weekend he answered every question I asked of him.”
Selby knocks Doherty out of World Championships
SNOOKER:Ken Doherty kissed goodbye to the Betfred.com World Championship as Mark Selby charged through to the second round.
After failing to qualify 12 months ago, Doherty was so thrilled to clinch his place in the draw this time that he entered the arena on Saturday and planted a kiss on the theatre floor.
The 40-year-old Dubliner, who was champion at the Crucible in 1997, was more restrained as his match against Selby resumed yesterday.
He had business to set about after allowing Selby to open a 6-3 lead in their opening session, but overturning that deficit proved a challenge Doherty could not rise to.
He won just one more frame, the 12th, as Selby showed why he is a serious title contender, taking his chances when they came along.
Selby had a chance of a 147 maximum break in the final frame, but missed the 11th black after reaching 81.
Nadal wins for sixth year in a row
TENNIS:Rafael Nadal won his first title in 11 months yesterday when he pummelled fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-0 6-1 to win the Monte Carlo Masters and send an intimidating message of intent before next month's French Open.
The four-time French Open champion’s shock fourth-round defeat at Roland Garros last year was a distant memory as Nadal became the first player to win the same event six years in a row since tennis turned professional in 1968, according to the ATP.
“You played very well, sorry for today,” the world number three said to Verdasco after putting in a display of exquisite claycourt tennis. “I have been feeling at home here. I played my best week for a long time. It’s unbelievable, it’s my favourite tournament.”
Seapoint qualify for AIB League
RUGBY:Seapoint celebrated their 75th anniversary in style by securing a prized spot in the AIB League and senior status for the 2010/11 campaign with a thumping, 33-7 win against Monivea at the Castle Grounds.
Leading the Provincial League play-offs table after the opening two rounds, the Dubliners moved 16-7 ahead of Monivea at half-time courtesy of a late try from Stephen Verso. Brian Keegan’s assured place-kicking also proved a key feature for Seapoint. Two tries in the final quarter sealed it for the Leinster League champions.
City of Derry, the AIB Junior Cup and Ulster League winners, defeated Limerick side 55-3 Richmond in the other final round game on Saturday.
They will now face Ulster rivals Portadown in a promotion/ relegation play-off to decide the 16th and final team to compete in AIB League Division Three.
