Cuddihy claims silver in Tampere

Sports DigestATHLETICS: For the third weekend in succession Irish athletics was rewarded with a medal-winning performance at underage level with Joanne Cuddihy taking silver over 400 metres at the European Junior Championships in Tampere, Finland.

The Kilkenny athlete clocked 53.62 seconds, behind Russia's Mariya Dryakhlova - the pre-race favourite - who clocked 52.65 seconds.

There were nervous moments, however, as a technical problem first caused a false start, and then kept the athletes waiting on the track in serious heat for some 20 minutes before finally being given starting orders.

Monaghan athlete Ciaran O'Connell was the only other Irish finalist in Tampere, and he finished eighth over 800 metres in a time of 1:52.03, with victory going to Germany's Erne Bauschinger in 1:49.43.

Cuddihy's run followed the medal-winning performances of walker Ann Loughnane in the 10km at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Canada earlier this month, and Robert Connolly over 5,000 metres at the European Under-23 Championships in Poland last weekend.

TENNIS: It was a case of youth triumphing over experience when Conor Niland got the better of former international Eoin Collins in the final of the Rabobank Irish Men's Open singles at Templeogue on Saturday.

Niland was adding the title to the Irish Close and his straight sets win, 6-3 6-4, saw him break Collins's serve once in each set.

Collins, who has a career in banking in Las Vegas, said he would be available "if they would have me" for Davis Cup matches. En route to the final he beat current Davis Cup players Seán Cooper and Nicky Malone.

EUROPEAN YOUTH OLYMPICS: 1,500 metres runner Colin Costello appears the strongest Irish candidate for gold in the European Youth Olympics, which opened in Paris last night, after his fifth-place finish in the World Youth Championships in Canada a fortnight ago.

The Meath-born athlete runs in both the 1,500 metres (a straight final this evening) and the 2,000 metres steeplechase on Thursday.

Strong performances are also expected from Wicklow's Des Earls (800 metres), Laura Crowe of Tralee (400 metres) and Carlow-born Leona Byrne (100 metres hurdles). The Youth Olympics will close on Friday.