Sports Digest

A round-up pf today's other stories in brief

Circuit of Ireland for IRC series

MOTOR SPORT: The Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally will take its place on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) series in 2012, it was confirmed yesterday.

Broadcast across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas by Eurosport, the IRC series last year had a global viewing audience of 79 million.

The 13-round IRC series will travel Europe, with the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, in its traditional Easter slot (April 6th-7th next year), the only Irish or British round on the calendar.

A jubilant Bobby Willis, event director of the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, said:

“We’ve done it! When we took over the running of the Rally in 2010 we stated that we wanted to re-awaken the sleeping giant that is the Circuit of Ireland and today’s announcement is the realisation of that vision.

“Be under no illusions this country can look forward to hosting a truly world class event.”

Ireland women retain one-day status

CRICKET: Ireland made up somewhat for their failure to qualify for the Women’s World Cup by retaining their one-day international status after defeating the Netherlands by four wickets in Dhaka, Bangladesh, yesterday, writes Emmet Riordan.

Ireland captain Isobel Joyce led the way in an excellent fielding display, running out Dutch top scorer Kerry-Anne Tomlinson for 34 and breaking a 55-run stand for the third wicket with Helmien Rambaldo.

Joyce had already run out opener Denise Hannema and would also take a wicket. Five of Ireland’s seven bowlers claimed wickets as the Dutch were restricted to 139 for nine in their 50 overs.

Ireland will now face Bangladesh in the fifth/sixth place final tomorrow. They lost to the hosts in the group stages but need a victory to hold on to ninth place in the world rankings.

Tendulkar poised for his ton of tons

CRICKET: Sachin Tendulkar was on course for his 100th international century, while Rahul Dravid completed a milestone to lead India’s strong reply in the third and final Test against West Indies yesterday.

The hosts, chasing an imposing first-innings total of 590 by West Indies, were 281 for three at the close of the third day, with Tendulkar (67) and VVS Laxman (32) at the crease.

Playing in front of a 20,000 crowd at his home Wankhede Stadium ground, Tendulkar hit five boundaries and a six as he added 57 for the fourth wicket with Laxman.

“We will have a full house with the little master on 67 but the big crowd might have some broken hearts tomorrow,” smiling West Indies captain Darren Sammy said.

Dravid (82) became the second player after Tendulkar to reach 13,000 runs in Tests, and also brought up 1,000 runs in a year for the third time in his career as he made his 62nd half-century.

New franchise picks up ÓhAilpín

AUSTRALIAN RULES: Setanta Ó hAilpín has been handed another opportunity to become an established AFL player after new franchise Greater Western Sydney selected him in the AFL draft at Homebush yesterday.

The move came as no surprise given GWS head coach Kevin Sheedy had signalled his interest in Ó hAilpín on a number of occasions since his release by Carlton.

Former International Rules boss Sheedy has come out of retirement to take over the Giants and is backing Ó hAilpín to add to his 80 games and 67 goals, while also helping GWS tap into the Irish market in Sydney that had so long been the preserve of the Swans, with Tadhg Kennelly on their list.

A spokesman for Ó hAilpín’s old club, meanwhile has denied the club offered two-year contracts to Dublin dual minor star Ciarán Kilkenny and Louth starlet Ciarán Byrne.

Federer maintains perfect World Tour Finals record

TENNIS: Defending champion Roger Federer maintained his perfect record at the ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-1 3-6 6-3 victory over Mardy Fish at the O2 Arena.

The world number four had already secured his place in the semi-finals with Tuesday’s stunning win over Rafael Nadal, while Fish was playing purely for pride after two defeats.

It looked like being a very unhappy Thanksgiving Day for the American as Federer broke serve straight away and dominated the first set, but the second was a different story.

Fish, whose preparations for his first appearance at the end-of-season showpiece were hampered by a hamstring injury, took the fight to his opponent and began to have significant success, particularly on his forehand.

In the end, one break was enough, but Federer, who is looking for a record sixth title, upped the pace again at the start of the decider, and once he moved into a 3-0 lead there was no way back for Fish.

Williams to do show jumping review

EQUESTRIAN: Jane Williams, managing director of training, facilitation and strategic consultancy Sia Group, has been appointed by Horse Sport Ireland to review their senior show jumping high performance programme.

HSI announced it would carry out the review following the senior team’s failure to qualify for the London Olympics at the European show jumping championships in Madrid in September.

Williams’ brief will be to identify the key factors that contributed to the teams non-qualification and to make recommendations.

HSI chairman Joe Walsh said Williams, who has been working recently with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association on their strategy, “was a person of stature and independence” and he looked forward to receiving her report.

“We hope to have a draft report for the consideration of the board at their first meeting in 2012 which will be in late January, he said.

Egan back to winning ways in London

BOXING: Ken Egan returned to winning ways with a power-punching performance at last night’s Olympic Test Event quarter-final in London.

The Dublin southpaw beat Chinas Xuan Bao 13-6 at the ExCel, the venue for boxing at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Bao, who was 4-1 down at the end of the first, took a standing count in the second after he was tagged with a superb right hook.

Irish team-manager Des Donnelly said Egan, who has dropped back to to light-heavyweight from heavyweight, looks back to his best.

“The Chinese lad was very upright, taller and with a longer reach but Kenny boxed very well.

He was very composed and patient in there and it was a very good win.”

Meanwhile, Declan Geraghty and David Oliver Joyce will be involved in quarter-final duels tonight versus Thai flyweight Norapoj Tetchkoom and Italian lightweight Donato Consenza respectively.