Sports Digest

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

Casey chosen as boxer of the year

BOXING: World title challenger Willie “Big Bang” Casey was voted Boxer of the Year by Ireland’s writers at yesterday’s National Boxing Awards at the Crumlin BC in Dublin.

Freddie Roach-trained Jamie “The Nuisance” Kavanagh was named Prospect of the Year and fellow Dubliner Anthony Fitzgerald scooped the Irish Champion of the Year award.

Philip Sutcliffe, who works Casey’s corner, was named the Coach of the Year.

McCorduck new ILGU president

GOLF: Marjorie McCorduck has been named president of the the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union (ILGU) for 2011-2012.

A member of the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) Council and ILGU Council in the past 10 years, McCorduck also completed two full terms as a member of the Midland district executive committee.

Originally from Templemore, Co Tipperary, McCorduck is a member of the Roscrea and Courtown golf clubs. She was Lady Captain of Roscrea in 1977 and represented both clubs in the Senior Cup.

She also served as a district selector at both girls and ladies levels and is a qualified Rules official, acting for the ILGU, LGU and RA.

ILGU board members Teresa Morgan (Ardee), Nora Murphy (Curragh) and Bernie Treacy (Donegal) retired following their three-year terms, with Dympna Conlon (Black Bush), Bernadette McTague (Birr) and Vonnie Noonan (Co Longford) respectively replacing them.

Alonso quickest in Valencia tests

FORMULA ONE: Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was quickest at the Circuito Ricardo Tormo ahead of current champion Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull.

Renault’s Robert Kubica was third of the new challengers, and fifth overall behind Force India’s Paul di Resta, running in last year’s car like Hamilton, who was fourth quickest.

In his first outing in the new Red Bull, the RB7, Mark Webber could only complete 17 laps due to installation issues, finishing 13 of the 15 who took to the track and four seconds down on Alonso.

Despite setting the pace at Valencia yesterday with a best time of 1:13.307, Alonso is refusing to pass judgment on his F150’s pace.

“At this stage it’s difficult to feel the competitiveness of the car, because in the past there were lower fuel loads, so it was easier to compare, with the tyres,” he said.

Australia's spectacular run-chase hauls in England

CRICKET: Australia pulled off a spectacular run-chase to win the sixth one-day international against England by two wickets in Sydney yesterday, racking up a record 334 for eight to take a 5-1 lead in the series.

Inspired by under-fire skipper Michael Clarke’s 82, the hosts scored their highest tally when batting second in a one-dayer to overhaul England’s 333 for six, a record by them against Australia.

Clarke was run out with eight runs needed, but John Hastings hit the winning four with an inside edge down to fine leg to spark wild celebrations among the Australians in a sparse crowd at the SCG.

Jonathan Trott, who struck 102 to help the tourists to their only victory in the series, compiled a superb 137 to drive England to what looked like a winning tally.

Australia, who already held an insurmountable lead in the seven-match series, knew they needed a record score as the heat of the day gave way to a cooler evening – and they got it.

Bobridge breaks Boardman's record

CYCLING: Jack Bobridge bettered Chris Boardman’s 15-year-old world record in the 4km individual pursuit at the Australian Championships in Sydney yesterday.

Bobridge clocked four minutes 10.534 seconds in qualifying for the national final to eclipse Boardman’s 4:11.114 set in Manchester in 1996.

It was widely thought Boardman’s record was unbreakable due to the rule change banning his aerodynamic “superman” position, and Bobridge was as surprised as anyone with his time.

“I can’t really explain it at the moment, I am still stunned,” said the 21-year-old.

“To come around and see that on the board, I was honestly quite shocked.”

Bobridge’s time came after watching fellow South Australian Rohan Dennis clocking 4:13.399 during his heat – the third fastest time in history behind Boardman.

The duo will meet in the final.