Sports Digest

A round-up of today's other sports news stories in brief

Exile's Hala'ufia faces hearing over Cullen incident

RUGBY:Chris Hala'ufia, the London Irish number eight, has been cited for an alleged punch/strike on Leinster captain Leo Cullen during last Saturday's Heineken Cup clash at Twickenham. He will appear before an independent disciplinary hearing in Dublin tomorrow, writes John O'Sullivan.

The citing was lodged by the citing commissioner for the match, Jean-Claude Legendre of France, while the the independent judicial officer appointed for the hearing is Jean-Noel Couraud of France.

Biarritz secondrow Jerome Thion will also have to answer a charge of punching arising from an incident against Glasgow Warriors last weekend. That match’s citing commissioner has reported Thion for an alleged punch/strike on lock Richie Gray. The hearing also takes place tomorrow in Dublin.

Making it a busy day at ERC headquarters, Bath lock Danny Grewcock has been summoned to an independent disciplinary hearing as a result of the red card he received against Ulster at The Recreation Ground on Saturday.

The red card was brandished by French referee Jerome Garces for a stamp on the forearm of Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris. Grewcock faces a ban of between two and nine weeks if he is deemed to be guilty.

Meanwhile, former Ulster and current Northampton Saints flanker Neil Best has agreed to join Worcester Warriors next season in the hope that regular first-team rugby might reignite his international career.

Ryan boys make history but lose out to Rockwell

Rockwell27 St Munchin's8

THE RYAN brothers made history when they became the first triplets to play in the Avonmore Munster Schools’ Senior Cup at Clanwilliam yesterday and they will be available for the next two years.

But for the second year in a row Rockwell upset the Limerick side with a decisive win.

A superb start paved the way and by half-time Rockwell led 24-3.

International outhalf JJ Hanrahan had the opening try, which he converted.

He also added the points to the second try by Donogh McGillicuddy.

It was all Rockwell at this stage, and Harry McNulty got in for a third try which Hanrahan also converted.

The outhalf also kicked a first-half penalty.

Brian Mullins had the sole St Munchin’s first-half score with a penalty.

The second half was more evenly contested, with St Munchin’s getting their try from scrumhalf Darren Ryan.

His brothers Evan and Cian were secondrow partners.

But any lingering hopes of a comeback ended when Hanrahan dropped a goal.

Scorers

Rockwell: JJ Hanrahan, 1 try, 1 penalty, 1 drop goal, 3 cons; D McGillicuddy, H McNulty, try each. St Munchin’s: D Ryan, try; B Mullins, penalty.

ROCKWELL:B O'Rahilly; S Horgan, H McNulty, D McGillicuddy, R Mullane (replaced by D White); JJ Hanrahan, J Raftery; T Doyle, R Moran, C O'Donnell; S McGuire, S McCarthy; S Buckley, J Maher, L Cahill.

ST MUNCHIN'S:J Murray (K McCarthy); C Cunnane (S McMahon), L Kuntz, E Carr, P Curtis; B Mullins, D Ryan; C Gavin, E Hogan (B McNamara), J McGovern; E Ryan, G Ryan; C Tsang (R O'Donnell), K McNamara, T Gleeson.

Referee:L Colgan (MRA).

Top Russian to miss Olympics

SKIING:Alena Sidko (30), one of Russia's top cross country skiers, has been thrown out of their team for next month's Vancouver Olympics.

“We can confirm she is ineligible to compete. If you want to know why you must ask the Russian ski federation,” an International Ski Federation anti-doping administrator said.

Local media reported Sidko tested positive for the blood-booster EPO at a home ski race last month.

Haas claims maiden win at last

GOLF:Bill Haas (27), the son of former Ryder Cup player Jay, is up from 200th to 112th in the world after his maiden USPGA Tour victory on Monday.

Haas birdied the last two holes of the Bob Hope Classic over the Palmer Course at PGA West in California to finish one ahead of fellow Americans Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson and South African Tim Clark.

WORLD RANKINGS:1 Tiger Woods 13.59pts, 2 Phil Mickelson 7.83, 3 Steve Stricker 6.83, 4 Lee Westwood 6.37, 5 Jim Furyk 5.51, 6 Martin Kaymer 5.31, 7 Pádraig Harrington5.24, 8 Henrik Stenson 5.20, 9 Paul Casey 5.16, 10 Ian Poulter 5.12, 11 Rory McIlroy5.10, 12 Geoff Ogilvy 4.96, 13 Kenny Perry 4.68, 14 Sergio Garcia 4.34, 15 Robert Allenby 4.26.

Other leading Europeans:29 Luke Donald, 31 Robert Karlsson, 38 Soren Kjeldsen, 39 Francesco Molinari, 41 Anders Hansen, 42 Graeme McDowell, 43 Oliver Wilson, 44 Soren Hansen, 47 Simon Dyson, 51 Edoardo Molinari, 52 Alvaro Quiros, 54 Peter Hanson, 57 Miguel Angel Jimenez, 90 Shane Lowry.

Rugby Fixtures

SATURDAY

AIB ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE

Division One A (2.30):St Mary's v Shannon, Templeville Road; Dolphin v Clontarf, Musgrave Park.

Division One B (2.30):Ballymena v UCC, Eaton Park; Galwegians v Ballynahinch, Crowley Park; Young Munster v Dungannon, Clifford Park.

Division Two (2.30):Belfast Harlequins v DLSP, Deramore Park; Corinthians v Clonakilty, Corinthian Park; Dublin University v Malone, College Park; Lansdowne v Thomond, RDS; Old Crescent v Greystones, Rosbrien; Old Wesley v Bective Rangers, Donnybrook; Terenure v Bruff, Lakelands; UCD v Highfield, Belfield.

Division Three (2.30):Ards v QUB, Hamilton Park; Barnhall v Midleton, Parsonstown; Connemara v Banbridge, Monastery Field; Nenagh Ormond v Instonians, New Ormond Park; Rainey OB v Naas, Hatrick Park; Sunday's Well v Navan, Musgrave Park; Suttonians v Portadown, McDowell Park; Wanderers v Carlow, Merrion Road.

AIB Junior Cup Final (1pm):Armagh v City of Derry, Dubarry Park.

AIB Senior Cup Final (3pm):Cork Constitution v Garryowen, Dubarry Park.

SUNDAY

A International:England Saxons v Ireland, The Recreation Ground (2pm).

AIB League

Division One B (2.30):Old Belvedere v Buccaneers, Anglesea Road.

Leinster Schools' B Senior Cup first round:Blackrock College v Belvedere College, Donnybrook (2.30).