SPORTS DIGEST:MOTOR SPORT: MotoGP's governing body will discuss Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner's controversial collision in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix at a hearing later this month.
The pair came to grief at the Jerez circuit when Rossi crashed his Ducati into the Honda rider while attempting an overtaking manoeuvre at the end of lap six.
Rossi accepted responsibility for the crash and apologised after the race – won by Jorge Lorenzo – while Stoner conceded it was a “racing incident”, although could not resist a barbed jibe at his rival, telling the Italian: “Your ambition outweighed your talent”.
The hearing will take place on Thursday, April 28th, prior to the next race at Portugal’s Estoril circuit.
Jordan reported to be ready to quit
GAELIC GAMES: Defender Philip Jordan failed to attend training with the Tyrone squad last night, just hours after newspaper and online reports claimed he is about to quit inter-county football.
Jordan, Tyrone’s only current All Star, made his first appearance of this season as a 54th-minute substitute in last Sunday’s football league Division Two win over Louth.
He had just recently returned to full training after undergoing surgery on a hip problem.
The future remains unclear for the 31-year-old Moy man, but it’s understood strenuous efforts will be made to ensure the three-time All-Star and treble All-Ireland winner remains part of the Red Hand squad.
Taylor on home ground, as Egan heads for Finland
BOXING:World and European lightweight champ Katie Taylor will have her next outing in her home town of Bray.
The 2010 AIBA World female boxer of the year is slated to meet Spain’s Jennifer Miranda at Wicklow’s Royal Hotel on Good Friday (April 22nd).
Taylor will also have two further fights in Cork and at a venue to be confirmed in Ireland next month ahead of the European Union Championships in Poland.
Meanwhile, Olympic silver medallist Ken Egan ran 5km in a time of 18.56 in a charity race in Athlone last Sunday. Egan departs for Helsinki tomorrow morning as part of a seven-strong Elite Irish squad for the Gee Bee Multi Nations.
Michael Conlon, Tyrone McCullagh, David Olive Joyce, Adam Nolan, Jason Quigley and Tommy McCarthy will also represent Ireland in Helsinki.
The IABA have a second Elite squad at the Feliks Stamm Multi-Nations in Warsaw. Boxing will commence today.
Clijsters forced out of Fed Cup
TENNIS:US and Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters will be out of action for at least four weeks due to a painful right shoulder and wrist.
The world number two said she will miss Belgium’s Fed Cup semi- final against Spain next week and the Madrid Open starting April 30th.
“I think this is a great pity,” said the 27-year-old. “The Fed Cup is something I was really looking forward to. But I felt that something was out of the ordinary; there were too many minor ailments.”
Simmons slams ICC Cup decision
CRICKET:Ireland coach Phil Simmons believes the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to restrict the 2015 World Cup to just the 10 full members will set the game back 10 years, writes EMMET RIORDAN.
“It is a dark day for cricket but a great day for greed and fear,” said the former West Indies all-rounder. “It is hard to find words to describe this despicable decision made by some who want to keep things among themselves and some who fear us.
“There can be no cricketing reasons for this decision, as we answered the cricket question, the television rating question, and we are the 10th ranked nation in the world – so what else is needed?
“Congratulations to India on winning the last real World Cup and congratulations to the ICC for pulling the game we love back 10 years.”
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