CRICKET: Ireland came tantalisingly close to winning the European Championship at Waringstown yesterday but were foiled by a single-run victory margin which saw England take the match and the title, writes Karl Johnston.

In the event, unlucky Ireland finished third over-all, behind Scotland and England.

Ireland's attack did well to keep England to 226 for 8 wickets after Jason Molins had won the toss and put the opposition in to bat. Andy White took three wickets, Gary Neely two, while Ireland's new wicket-keeper, 18-year-old Niall O'Brien, had two catches and one stumping, while not conceding a bye.

Molins, with a fine 106, was the game's top scorer.

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