Briefs

Froome takes stage win to consolidate Oman lead

CYCLING:Team Sky’s Chris Froome won the fifth stage of the Tour of Oman to consolidate his overall lead ahead of today’s final day.

Froome claimed a morale-boosting victory in a duel which could continue in this summer’s Tour de France, winning the 144-kilometre route from Al Alam Palace to Ministry of Housing in Boshar ahead of Spain’s Alberto Contador (Team Saxo-Tinkoff).

Contador, who finished narrowly behind in the late dash for the line, is second overall ahead of today’s 144km sixth stage from Hawit Nagam Park to Matrah Corniche, with Froome holding a 27-second lead in the leader’s red jersey. Froome, who is riding in the same Team Sky squad as Bradley Wiggins for the first time since last July, is on course to win his first major stage race.

Marist progress in match marred by three red cards

Marist College 0-9 Knockbeg College 0-8

LEINSTER COLLEGES SF A QUARTER-FINAL: Marist College triumphed at at Castledaly yesterday where three players were sent off. The first came in the 17th minute in Knockbeg’s Aaron Forbes as Marist trailed 0-4 to 0-5 at the break. With 10 minutes left, Knockbeg led 0-7 to 0-5 but Robert Ashe and Niall McInerney levelled. Peter Ryan put Marist in front before Knockbeg goalkeeper Danny Bolger was sent off, to be followed by Marist’s Andrew O’Sullivan. Knockbeg’s Michael Keogh hit a late point.

MARIST COLLEGE: T Finnerty; B O’Donohoe, E Quigley, M McArdle; J Marshment, C Marlowe, R Ashe (0-1); A Curley, S Omukoro; M Monaghan, N Neary (0-3, two frees), TJ Fox; N Kelly (0-1), N McInerney (0-1), A Byrne (0-2, one free). Subs: D King for Marshment (10 mins); P Ryan (0-1) for Monaghan (48 mins), A O’Sullivan for Fox (57 mins).

KNOCKBEG COLLEGE: D Bolger; L O’Sullivan, D Brophy, K Doyle; A Campion, D Ramsbottom, A Brennan; JJ Mahon (0-1), C Hogan (0-1); M Keogh (0-1, free), A Forbes, D O’Reilly; E O’Neill, D Tompkins (0-1, free), C Murphy (0-4, four frees). Subs: D McDermott for Brophy (25 mins), D Lawlor for O’Neill (48 mins). D Halpin for Murphy (55 mins), A McGrath for McDermott (58 mins). Referee: P Nelis (Meath).