Today's other stories in brief
Death of Bobby Deacy
RUGBY:The death has taken place of former IRFU president Bobby Deacy in Galway.
The Galwegians RFC member was a key figure as the game evolved into the professional era in the mid-1990s. He served as IRFU treasurer from 1987 to 1996 when he became the eighth Connacht man to become president of the IRFU as the professional era started.
Deacy was secretary of the Connacht Branch from 1975-81 and was president in 1985-86.
Alfa Romeo first home to Hobart
SAILING: New Zealand supermaxi Alfa Romeo put an end to Wild Oats XI's four-year reign on the Sydney to Hobart yacht race by taking line honours in spectacular fashion yesterday.
Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo cruised home in the final stretch after opening up a 20-mile lead on Australian maxi Wild Oats XI and British supermaxi ICAP Leopard on Sunday. When the 100-foot yacht crossed the finish line opposite Castray Esplanade on the Derwent River in the 628 nautical mile course, Wild Oats XI still had 16 miles to go, with ICAP Leopard a further 24 miles astern.
One of the biggest spectator fleets accompanied Alfa Romeo up the final few miles as Crichton recorded a second line honours victory with a seasoned crew of 22 Australian, New Zealand and British round-the-world and America’s Cup sailors.
Crichton also won the 2002 race with a previous Alfa Romeo.
McIntyre insists Galway squad a work in progress
GAELIC GAMES: Galway hurling boss John McIntyre says the squad announced earlier this month is open-ended and he will be using the Walsh Cup campaign to try out new players.
David Collins’ return to the squad after a two-year injury nightmare will not happen until the National League as the 2005 Young Hurler of the Year will only return from Australia in February.
“We have picked the initial squad of 34 but as with last year it is open-ended,” said McIntyre.
“We have no difficulty in bringing lads in or moving lads out of the squad. The door is closed to nobody and we will be closely monitoring each player’s form,” he said.
McIntyre, who is heading into his second year in charge of the Tribesmen, will reassemble his squad this Saturday.
“We have a few weeks before the Walsh Cup kicks in; we are due to play the winners of the Laois v GMIT match on Sunday, January 24th, but we have lined up a challenge match with the Portumna lads for the middle of January,” added McIntyre.
Louth venue hosts student world finals
EQUESTRIAN:The Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian Centre north of Dundalk plays host this week to the Student Riders' Nations' Cup world finals, writes Margie Mcloone.
The event, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, is supported by Horse Sport Ireland and over 50 competitors from 16 countries are due to travel to the Co Louth venue where they will ride borrowed horses. It is a four-round, knock-out competition where the final round dressage test is at advanced medium level and the final round show jumping track can reach 1.50m.
Queen’s University’s Ben Crawford, who won individual gold at the 2008 World University Equestrian Championships in Algeria and who injured his thumb slightly in a fall in the beginners’ chase at Down Royal on Sunday, will be joined on the Irish team by show jumpers Nicola Fitzgibbon (Trinity College) and Michael Hutchinson (NUI Maynooth).
McGowan's Atlantic bid delayed again
ROWING: Seán McGowan made it back from Ireland to the Canary Islands for the start of the Atlantic Rowing Race yesterday only to discover it had been postponed – again, writes Liam Gorman.
The 41-year-old Limerickman, who hopes to become the first Irish person to row solo across the Atlantic, was originally hoping to be at sea for over three weeks by now.
However, the original start date of December 6th was pushed back three days because of a problem with the shipping of flares. The weather then swung against the race, which runs from La Gomera to Antigua.
There have been three postponements because of forecasts of bad conditions at sea. The race is now set to start this Saturday or, more likely, Sunday, January 3rd.
High seas were predicted for today off La Gomera.
