A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Egan and Ward may meet again
BOXING: Olympic silver medallist Ken Egan and AIBA World Youth champion Joe Ward could be set for a rematch of their 2011 Irish Elite light-heavyweight final.
The Irish Amateur Boxing Association have announced they will run a four-day open unseeded elite competition at the National Stadium on August 10th-13th, to help selection for the 2011 World Senior Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, from September 22nd to October 10th, and the Olympic qualifiers next autumn.
Boxers reaching the quarter-finals in Baku from light-flyweight to light-heavyweight will secure Olympic qualification, while heavyweights and super-heavyweights must reach the last four.
Ireland meet Wales thrice
HOCKEY: The summer of international hockey kicks off today, when Ireland’s men face Wales in three matches in UCD this evening, Saturday and Sunday, writes Johnny Watterson,
The friendlies are part of the team’s preparation for the UCD Four Nations Cup on June 20th-25th at the National Hockey Stadium and the European Championships next month in Germany.
The European event is also an Olympic qualifying event, with Ireland in a difficult group with France, England and the Netherlands
“Wales join us in Dublin in the middle of a two-week training phase and provide our squad with valuable international game time,” said coach Paul Revington.
“We have a large training squad at present and will look to use the games versus Wales to narrow down our Celtic Cup and Four Nations Team selections.”
Ireland v Wales – Thursday: 8pm, Saturday: 4pm; Sunday: 2pm (all UCD).
Murray battles back at Queen’s
TENNIS: Andy Murray launched his Wimbledon preparations with a three-set victory over Xavier Malisse at the Aegon Championships yesterday.
The British number one booked a meeting with Serbian Janko Tipsarevic in the third round at Queen’s Club after beating Malisse 6-3 5-7 6-3.
Murray took the court with his right ankle heavily strapped after damaging a tendon during his run to the French Open semi-final.
Malisse barely tested Murray in the opening games, as the world number four claimed an early break and raced into a 3-0 lead before rain stopped play.
Murray went on to clinch the first set 6-3.
James maintains confidence still high
BASKETBALL: Miami Heats LeBron James maintains his confidence has not dropped as low as his scoring totals in the NBA Finals.
James managed only eight in the 86-83 loss to Dallas in Game Four on Tuesday as the Mavericks tied the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
“I got the ball in the post a few times, and I saw double teams,” he said. “I tried to kick it out to guys and they’ve made shots for us. At the same time, I can’t let that stop my aggression when they bring two on the ball.”
James, averaging 17 points in the series while taking a backseat to Dwyane Wade, hit just three-of-11 against on Tuesday.
“I’ll come back in Game Five and do things that needs to be done to help our team win.”
The teams meet tonight in Dallas.
Schmidt May’s top manager
RUGBY: Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has been named Philips Manager of the Month for May.
On May 21st, Leinster staged a remarkable second-half recovery to defeat Northampton 33-22 in the final of the Heineken Cup – claiming their first trophy under Schmidt.
The month, however, ended on a low note, with Munster beating Leinster in the Magners League final.
Lisa Maguire makes her point
GOLF: Spanish Open champion Lisa Maguire gave the Vagliano Trophy team selectors food for thought yesterday as she finished top Irish player after the qualifying round in the Ladies British Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush.
The Slieve Russell member closed with a two-under 72 to be on 147 (one under) and in 14th qualifying place overall for today’s first round of matchplay. She was one stroke ahead of her twin Leona and Danielle McVeigh, both of whom are included in the BI team, and well ahead of some other members.
Eight Irish, from the original entry of 15, survived the cut that was made at nine-over-par 157, with a countback needed the sort out 10 players on that score. Snatching the 64th and last place was Ballybunion’s Emma O’Driscoll, but Louise Coffey (Malone) finished 66th on the countback.
Leading the qualifiers into matchplay is Spanish Close champion Camilla Hedberg (18).
Wiggins looks back to old form
CYCLING: Appearing to be back to his 2009 form, Britain’s Bradley Wiggins seized the yellow jersey in the Critérium du Dauphiné yesterday when he finished a close second to Tony Martin (HTC Highroad) in the Grenoble time trial, writes Shane Stokes.
The Sky Procycling rider covered the 42.5km course 11 seconds behind that of the German rival but, crucially, ahead of the other race contenders. Last year’s race winner Janez Brajkovic was the best placed of those in fifth, 1.17 seconds back.
Nicolas Roche had to be satisfied with a time which was 43rd fastest, 3.31 behind Martin.
That dropped him from fifth to 16th overall behind new race leader Wiggins.
