Sports Digest/EQUESTRIAN: Denis Lynch and Cameron Hanley were both in winning mode over the weekend, notching up a double apiece on the continental show jumping circuit in Germany and Norway, writes Grania Willis.
Lynch, who claimed Friday night's late-finishing young horse qualifier at the German fixture in Neumunster with So Limit, found his way back into the winner's enclosure yesterday when scoring in the
AG speed prize with the stallion Schneesturm.
The Irish pair hurtled through the timing beam five-hundredths of a second faster than Dutch runner-up Angelique Hoorn.
But Grand Prix honours escaped 29-year-old Lynch when the nine-year-old Lancelot crossed the line more than four seconds off the pace for a fourth-place finish behind Swedish winner Rolf-Goran Bengtsson.
Cameron Hanley had started off the Irish run of success when claiming the opening leg of the Gentleman's Cup in Vestfold, Norway, on Friday and went on to win Saturday's final with the 11-year-old mare Night Dancer.
He was further away from the sharp end in yesterday's Grand Prix, finishing 13th with Hippica Kerman after a single error in the first round. Honours once again went to Sweden, this time to Malin Baryard.
Chief executive praised
CRICKET: The chairman of the Irish Cricket Union Joe Doherty has paid tribute to the outgoing chief executive Peter Thompson saying that the ICU is now in a "very strong position to capitalise on the foundations he has laid", writes James FItzgerald.
Thompson will be leaving the ICU early in March, nearly two months before the end of his contract. The early departure was by mutual consent and despite Doherty's tribute, the ICU had not intended to renew Thompson's contract and had told him so as far back as last November.
Thompson came in for fierce criticism that he had not taken in enough sponsorship during his time at the helm of Irish cricket but in a statement issued last night Doherty was quick to highlight the positive impact that he had in his three years in charge.
"The union would like to pay tribute to Peter Thompson for his work over the past three years culminating in the Bank of Ireland sponsorship of the senior team - the biggest commercial deal ever in Irish cricket," said Doherty.
"His three years in charge saw unparalleled growth and success both on and off the field for Irish cricket and he leaves the union in a very strong position to capitalise on the foundations he has laid.
"The recent successes on the field have led Ireland not only into its first World Cup (in West Indies next year) but also into one-day international status and the ICC's elite group of high-performance Associate nations," he said.
It is thought that following Thompson's departure the ICU may review the exact role and duties of the position.
Thompson is due to take up a position in sports management with English rugby union club the Pertemps Bees.
Meanwhile, Pakistan became the first under-19 team to retain the world title when they beat India by 38 runs in Sri Lanka yesterday.
India's spinners routed Pakistan for 109 in 41.1 overs before their batsmen slumped to nine for six in 25 minutes before lunch.
Piyush Chawla, who earlier took four wickets for eight runs, rescued the innings with 25 not out before India were dismissed for 71 in the 19th over.
Pakistan paceman Anwar Ali finished with five for 35 including three wickets in his opening over.I
Ireland finished in 13th place following a six-wicket victory over Uganda on Saturday.
Series win for India
CRICKET: Yuvraj Singh hit an unbeaten century and Mahendra Singh Dhoni a blazing 77 yesterday, propelling India to an eight-wicket win over Pakistan to clinch the one-day international series 4-1.
The two posted an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 146 to power India to 287 for two in 46.5 overs in reply to Pakistan's286 for eight. Yuvraj ended on 107.
It is India's 13th consecutive successful run-chase and their 12th victory in their last 16 matches.
Pakistan's total was built on half centuries from Younis Khan (74 not out) and Mohammad Yousuf (67) while Indian paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth took four for 58.
