Sports digest

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

Galley Flash clinch senior men's title

Rowing:The All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships, with more than 500 crews competing in 72 races over three days, ended last night with Galley Flash from Ardfield-Rathbarry in Cork winning the senior men's title. Cairndhu from Larne in Co Antrim were the senior women's champions.

The championships drew an estimated 15,000 spectators to Broadstrand in Courtmacsherry in Cork. The best adult crew were Myross from Union Hall in Cork, while the Most Sporting Club were East Ferry, from Midleton.

The winners in the Fisa categories, which are contested at World Championship level, were widely spread. The singles titles went to Lisa Cameron from Cairndhu and Cormac Kelly from Arklow in Co Wicklow. The quadruples were won by St Michael's of Limerick (women) and Courtmacsherry (men), while the men's and women's doubles were both won by Ahakista of Cork. - LIAM GORMAN

Carroll proves all-round qualities with brace of goals

Women's hockey:Multi-talented Naomi Carroll showed her potential in an Irish hockey jersey as she displayed a poacher's instinct to net twice in a 3-1 win over Wales at Belfield yesterday.

She made her debut on Friday night in a 4-0 win over the Welsh, just five days after wearing Clare county colours in the women’s All-Ireland football quarter-final.

And Carroll – who is also a senior county camogie player – followed up with two close-range efforts in her second international as Ireland won 3-1.

Katie Mullan – another scoring for the first time in an Irish jersey – completed the victory in the 55th minute - STEPHEN FINDLATER

Leinster wrap up 23rd league title

Leinster CC extended their record of senior league titles to 23 as they wrapped up Division One with two matches to spare on Saturday by hammering Merrion by 170 runs in Rathmines.

Their title success comes in their first year back in the top flight, and Saturday’s game again showed that their bowling was key this summer as they skittled a strong Merrion batting line-up for just 63. Barbados pro Joel Leacock led the way as Leinster defended a total of 233 for six, taking four for 20, while Tim Law and Joe Carroll took three apiece.

Carroll had earlier hit an unbeaten 26 in a fine all-round showing, while opener Hugh MacDonnell (41) and Stephen Moreton (59) also contributed well with the bat.

Trent Johnston warmed up for today's T20 clash with South Africa 'A' at Oakhill in Wicklow (4pm) by hitting an unbeaten 54 to lead YMCA to a nine-wicket win over Rush in the Alan Murray decider at the Phoenix Park yesterday . EMMET RIORDAN

Roche performs strongly as Gilbert takes Vuelta stage

Nicolas Roche underlined his strong form on yesterday’s ninth stage of the Vuelta a España, attacking in the finale on the tough climb of Montjuïc in Barcelona and at one point appearing to be in line for a top three finish.

Roche responded to a move by former world champion Alessandro Ballan (BMC), catching and leaving the Italian, but was himself passed by the race leader Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha). Last year’s world number one Philippe Gilbert (BMC) was able to bridge up to him. He was caught with about 1km remaining, while Gilbert finished just ahead of Rodriguez, taking the win. “I was riding well but it was also a bit frustrating,” said Roche. “I was chasing the two leaders and hoped to be able to bridge up but wasn’t able to make it.”

He is seventh in the overall standings, two minutes 34 seconds behind Rodriguez. SHANE STOKES

Casey holds off local hope Morgan in Mullingar 

Headfort’s Brian Casey held off a late charge from home hope Dessie Morgan to win the Mullingar Grant Thornton Scratch Trophy by a stroke and boost his confidence heading to next month’s European Tour School.

The 21-year-old from Navan, who won last year’s Irish and Leinster Youth titles before storming to a 10-shot win in the Munster Strokeplay Championship earlier this season, fired rounds of 71 and 70 on the final day to win by a stroke from Morgan and Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy on four-under 284.

“It’s a great title to win and a nice feeling to have my name on a famous trophy alongside names like Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry,” said a delighted Casey.

Morgan was devastated to come up short in his bid to become the first Mullingar player to win the tournament on its 50th anniversary. “I thought this was the year to be honest, I had a feeling,” said the 31-year old.

Morgan led by a stroke from Aaron Kearney after a morning 72 but found himself five shots behind with nine to play.

“I don’t think I’ll get another chance because life just gets in the way. Who knows.”

Casey birdied the first four holes and went out in 32 despite a bogey at the eighth as Morgan turned in a damaging 39. BRIAN KEOGH