A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Ireland boosted by Rankin arrival
CRICKET:Ireland coach Phil Simmons will be looking for an improved display from his side as they face New Zealand today in the first of their official World Cup warm-up games in Nagpur, India, writes Emmet Riordan.
Ireland lost to both Zimbabwe and Kenya during their camp in Dubai, but have been boosted by the arrival of opening bowler Boyd Rankin, who has been taking part in a fast bowling clinic in India. The 6ft 8in Warwickshire player was Ireland’s leading wicket-taker at the 2007 World Cup with 12.
All-rounder Nigel Jones is unlikely to play after coming down with sickness.
Murray Dublin date possible
TENNIS:World number five Andy Murray has indicated that he will be available for Britain's second round Davis Cup match in July, which could be a tie against Ireland in Dublin, writes Johnny Watterson.
Murray has pulled out of Britain’s first-round match against Tunisia next month in Bolton but speaking at a tournament in Rotterdam, the 23-year-old said he would be available to play in July.
“I’m not playing Davis Cup next month. I’m probably going to play in the tie after Wimbledon,” said Murray.
Ireland plays against Luxemburg in the first round and if they win that match and Britain defeat Tunisia, the teams meet at Riverview in the second round the week after Wimbledon.
Summerhill earn shot at Jarlath's
GAA:Paddy Herrity and Niall Murphy scored 1-10 between them to help Summerhill College to a 1-12 to 0-8 victory over St Mary's, Galway and qualify to meet St Jarlath's of Tuam in next month's Connacht Colleges SF A provincial decider.
SUMMERHILL: V Cadden; E Flanagan, D Burke, C McDonagh; C Doherty, B McGarry, M Flynn; N McManus, K Sweeney; C Finneran 0-1, H Cawley, D Long; S Cawley, N Murphy 0-5, 1f, P Herrity 1-5, 5f. Subs: P Logan 0-1 for H Cawley 35; S Peyton for McManus 42; M Casey for Long 44; T Finnegan for McDonagh 53; N McManus for Flanagan, inj, 62.
ST MARY’S: R Lavelle; B McEntee, B Madden, M Ó Bearra; M Ó Curraoin, E Walsh 0-1, B Bohan; J Doran, M Mulkerrins; J Casserley 0-1, F Ó Bearra 0-1f, C Ó Conáire 0-1; C Gleeson, C Ó Laoi (0-3fs), M Upton (0-1). Subs: D Kerr for Ó Curraoin 22; T Ward for Bohan 41; A O’Toole for O Connaire 60; C McMahon for McEntee 60; D Higgins for Madden 66.
Egan's boot proves vital for Sligo
RUGBY:Reigning champions Sligo Grammar School had to come from behind to see off the challenge of Marist College, 12-7, in the Connacht Schools Senior Cup semi-final at Athlone yesterday.
Marist were on top early on and Ben Carty put fullback Robert Henshaw in for an excellent try which was converted by Carty after eight minutes.
But Sligo reduced the deficit to 7-6 by the break thanks to penalties from Colm Egan, and he kicked two more penalties in the second half to set up a final date with Coláiste Iognaid from Galway.
SLIGO GS: J McGoldrick; M Martin, J Healy, K McGoldrick, M Green; C Egan, E Gavin; T Ferrari, D Rooney, B McCormack, S Boyle, D O’Dowd-Hill, C Brady, C Goulden, D Heath. Replacement: M Davey for Rooney 64.
MARIST COLLEGE, ATHLONE: R Henshaw; E Maher, C Seery, R Sheridan, C Fitzgibbon; B Carty, B Digby; B Teape, S Flanagan, S Meunargia, K Cooper, T Thornton, S Ryan, E Kelly, M Duddy. Replacements: D Lynch for Teape 46; C Langdon for Maher 62; N Carr for Duddy 68.
Kildare show gets season underway
EQUESTRIAN: The national show jumping circuit kicks off in earnest tomorrow with the first leg of the Horse Sport Ireland Chippison Spring Tour, writes Margie McLoone.
Forty-two horses have been declared for the 1.35m competition at the Kildare International Equestrian Centre in Rathmore and the series runs each weekend until mid-April.
A round will also be run on St Patrick’s Day.