ATHLETICS: The Irish teams endured mixed fortunes at the European Cup Second League in Tallinn, Estonia at the weekend with the women ensuring promotion by finishing first, and the men just missing out by finishing third.
Nine individual victories helped the Irish women win out with 129 points, ahead of Lithuania (124) and Estonia (112). The top two of the eight competing nations go forward to the First League next season.
Ciara Sheehy (200m), Karen Shinkins (400m) and Geraldine Hendricken (1,500m) were particularly impressive on the track, while Eileen O'Keeffe won the hammer, improving her own Irish record to 60.28 metres.
The men missed out on promotion by just 3½ points, finishing third with 114½ behind Belarus (127) and Estonia (118). Paul Brizzel (200m), Paul McKee (400m), Colm McLean (1,500) all sealed maximum points on the track - as well as in both relays - but there was disappointment in too many of the field events.
In the British Milers Club meet at Birmingham, Sonia O'Sullivan won the 1500m in 4:9.96.
ROWING: Wins for NUIG's senior men in both the eights and fours were the main headlines from Athlone's big regatta on Saturday - although strong winds caused the abandonment of some events - and NUIG went on to win the eights again yesterday at Galway regatta.
On both days UCD's eight could finished third; disappointing results in the run-up to Henley. However UCD's quadruple scull finished a close second to Leander at Marlow yesterday.
At Women's Henley Eimear Moran again flew the flag with success, winning the junior single sculls title, while Trinity reached the final of the college eights, only to lose out to Durham University. Lagan Scullers were also beaten in the final of the lightweight quadruple sculls.
GOLF: Jonathan Kaye, seeking his first US PGA Tour win after eight seasons as a pro, fired a five-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Greater Hartford Open in Connecticut on Saturday.
CRICKET: Pembroke, having been knocked out of the Leinster Senior Cup the previous day, pulled off a convincing six-wicket victory over the holders, North County, at Balrothery yesterday, to book a place in the final of the Leinster Senior 50-Overs league, sponsored by Lewis Traub.
The match was badly affected by rain, and was eventually reduced to 31 overs a side.
For North County John Mooney made 49, while his brother Paul hit 44. In reply, having lost two early wickets, John Byrne (52) and Malcolm Stuurman (53) helped to steer Pembroke to victory.
