Showjumpers fail to reach the second round at Aachen

Equestrian sport: Ireland's showjumpers, winners of a record-breaking 10 Nations Cups last season, failed for the third time in five runs to make it through to the second round, this time at the big German fixture in Aachen yesterday, writes Grania Willis.

With two top horses - Cameron Hanley's big winner last season Ballaseyr Twilight and Cian O'Connor's Waterford Crystal - out of action after injuries earlier in the week, chef d'equipe Lt-Col Gerry Mullins was struggling to put together a team strong enough to take on some of the world's best.

Belgium came out to claim the honours on four faults, with Germany narrowly winning out for second place in a head-to-head with Italy that saw the Italians demoted to third by a mere second on the clock.

Gaelic Games: Derry have left a vacancy at left corner back for tomorrow's Ulster semi-final clash against Tyrone in Clones. This is one of three changes to the side that defeated Antrim in the first round. Dermot Heaney returns at centrefield to partner Anthony Tohill with young Fergal Doherty switching to the right wing of the attack. Niall McCusker is recalled after four months' absence.

Losing out are Kevin McCloy, Paul Murphy and Ronan Rocks although McCloy is first in line for the vacant position - his place at full back having been taken by Sean Lockhart's switch from the corner.

DERRY: O McCluskey; G Doherty, SM Lockhart, AN Other; F Crossan, P McFlynn, G Coleman; A Tohill, D Heaney; F Doherty, D Dougan, N McCusker; P Bradley, E Muldoon, J McBride. Subs: To be announced.

Rowing: Fine wins for Sinead Jennings - who had almost 10 seconds to spare in her repechage - and Sam Lynch in his semi-final sent the two Irish lightweight single scullers through to the finals at the World Cup in Seville yesterday. Gearoid Towey and Tony O'Connor also won their semifinal in the lightweight pair, and there is a real possibility of three medals today for the Irish.

However, in what is developing as something of a club v country stand-off, it emerged yesterday that Neptune had entered Towey and O'Connor in three classes for Henley, although Irish team manager Mick O'Callaghan has been firm in his ruling that no members of the team should compete.

Neptune captain Gerry Farrell says that the entries will most likely be withdrawn, although he is critical of the plan to hold a training camp from Wednesday in Enniskillen, saying the elite oarsmen would be better off training in England.

Back on the water in Seville, the lightweight four, which includes three under-23 oarsmen, exited after finishing fifth in their repechage, and the lightweight double of Neal and Owen Byrne face into a B final after reaching a semi-final but finishing last.

Hockey: Ireland made a winning start to their defence of the Celtic Cup last night in Belfast when they swept to a 3-1 win over Wales.

Pembroke Wanderers striker Justin Sherriff opened the scoring in clinical fashion when he flicked home a penalty corner on the 20th minute. On the stroke of half-time, Sherriff turned provider when he laid the ball off for Julian Stevenson to score from a couple of yards out.

Wales were confined mainly to breakaways and following one of them, Graeme Egan reduced the deficit when he shot home from the edge of the circle. Sherriff set up Nigel Buttimer in the 64th minute for the insurance goal.

Ireland: W Bateman, E Lutton, C Jackson, D Smyth, J Black, M Raphael, S Butler, N Buttimer, J Stevenson, J Sherriff, D Clarke. Subs: P Lombard, M Black, I Steen. Celtic Cup: Scotland 3 (S McCartney, P Webster 2,) France 1 (F Souez); Ireland 3 (J Sherriff, J Stevenson, M Buttimer,) Wales 1 (G Egan).