Lennon pipped for honours

Equestrian: Dermott Lennon, whose superb second round clear clinched team gold for Ireland at the European show jumping championships in Holland 10 days ago, was just pipped at the post for the Grand Prix honours in Geesteren yesterday in a weekend of Irish seconds, writes Grania Willis.

Lennon and the Touchdown mare Liscalgot slotted into the runner-up spot at the Dutch show behind Germany's Markus Beerbaum (Royal Discovery), with Co Cork rider Robert Splaine fourth on the stallion Coolcorron Cool Diamond. Dutchman Gerco Schroeder finished sandwiched between the Irish duo in third on Eurocommerce Geneve.

Army rider Captain Gerry Flynn had kicked off the run of seconds when just missing out in the Ikast Grand Prix on Saturday, and the Irish team were still the bridesmaids at the Danish fixture yesterday when held down in second by Germany in the Nations Cup. A double clear from Francis Connors and Cruiseway and a four and clear from Flynn and Lieutenant David O'Brien gave the Irish a two-round total of eight, one fence off the winners.

Rowing: "We were very pleased at the way we performed but disappointed at the result," said Neptune's joint coach Liam Purdifat after his young crew made their exit from the Thames Cup at the semi-final stage of Henley Royal Regatta on Saturday, writes Liam Gorman.

Neptune were beaten by Ghent by one and three-quarter lengths in quite a fast time of 6 minutes, 31 seconds. "They were just too strong for us," said Purdifat. "They blew us away at the start".

Cycling: Cidona Carrick rider Eddie O'Donoghue yesterday scooped his biggest win when he won the three-day Ras Connachta in Mayo.

Tennis: Top seed John Doran defeated Conor Niland in Saturday's Irish Close final at Donnybrook 4-6 6-2 7-5. Doran clinched the three-hour battle when at match point Niland, believing Doran's shot to be out, casually swept the ball back to his opponent and into the tramlines only to hear umpire Ciarain Donovan call "game, set and match".