North County champions

Cricket: There were wild scenes of jubilation in Waringstown last night as North County won the Irish Cup, sponsored by Royal Liver, for the first time.

Their victory over Cliftonville by 74 runs was only the second time that a Leinster side has won the cup in the 20-year history of the competition - Phoenix the previous winners in 1986 - and the huge North County support made up for the long wait.

A third-wicket partnership of 123 in 25 overs between Andre Botha and man of the match John Mooney gave the Balrothery side the initiative which they never relinquished, Paul Mooney banked their advantage by taking 24 off Brian Anderson's comeback over.

Cliftonville's second-wicket pair of John Terrett and international Andrew Patterson threatened briefly, but when both were dismissed in the space of three overs, either side of drinks, the Cliftonville innings subsided.

Details in SPORTS ROUND-UP

Tennis: John Doran, the top seed at the Irish Open, dispatched less experienced challenger Conor Taylor, the number six seed, 6-3 6-1, in the semi-final at Templeogue last evening, writes Pat Roche.

Taylor (19) went into the match convinced that it would be a battle of big forehands; but authority on service games gave the tie another crucial dimension. "I needed to get my first serves in with more regularity if I was to put him under pressure," said Taylor. "I had break points that I could not take advantage of," he added.

Taylor's problems on serve were highlighted in the second set when he was broken three times. He had lost service in the eighth game of the match which gave Doran the only break of the first set and set him up for a 6-3 win.

Doran meets South African Vaughan Snyman in today's final. He ousted Australian Luke Bourgeois 7-5, 7-5 in a game of some technical brilliance.

Details in SPORTS ROUND-UP

Motor Sport: Donegal driver Damien Faulkner has returned to Ireland for the original busman's holiday. The Indy Lights driver in the United States will pilot a Kremer Lola in today's inaugural FIA Sportscar Championship race at Mondello Park.

For Faulkner it will be a big challenge. "I can't wait to find out what 650 horsepower feels like around Mondello," he said.

The entry includes former Formula One drivers Jan Lammers, from Holland, and Italians Mauro Baldi and Alex Caffi.

Athletics: With just one more day before the World Transplant Games in Kobe, Japan come to a close, the Irish team have scooped one gold, three silver and seven bronze medals.

Darren Cawley (kidney transplant) from Aughagour, Westport, won a bronze medal yesterday for the 400 metres and Tony Gartland from Hacketstown, Carlow (liver transplant) picked up a bronze for the 1,500 metres.

Student Games: Mark Howard was unlucky not to qualify for the 200 metres final at the World Student Games in Beijing yesterday. Having broken the Irish under-23 record on Thursday (20.88 seconds) he finished with another quick time of 20:95.

Aoife Byrne was narrowly beaten in the sprint to the finish in the 800m, clocking two minutes 4.97 seconds. She just missed the last qualifying spot for the final.

Hockey: A goal from France five minutes from time denied Ireland's women's team victory in the opening game of the Celtic Cup in Amiens yesterday, writes Mary Hannigan.

Claire McMahon gave Ireland the lead six minutes into the second half, after goalkeeper Tara Browne had denied France on four occasions, but the hosts stole a draw with their late equaliser. Substitute Ciara O'Brien (UCD) was Ireland's outstanding outfield player. Ireland play Wales today and Scotland tomorrow.