Sports Digest

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

Ishikawa unstinting in his praise of McIlroy

GOLF: Runaway US Open champion Rory McIlroy possesses the same awe-inspiring game as former world number one Tiger Woods, according to Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, who admitted the Northern Irishman’s brilliance had elevated him to another level.

The 19-year-old Ishikawa finished 18 strokes behind McIlroy.

“Whenever people ask who is going to be the next Tiger, I have always replied ‘McIlroy’,” Ishikawa told Japanese media. “He is a bit different from other players.

“His playing style, his club speed. . . he can play any shot. I played with him at the Masters the year before last and I still think I want to emulate his style of play.

“He has come this far in just two years,” added Ishikawa, who finished in a tie for 30th.

“I’ve improved too but I haven’t been able to close the gap in those two years.”

Hong Kong keen on Formula One

MOTOR SPORT: Hong Kong has become the latest high-profile venue to express an interest in staging a Formula One grand prix.

The city’s motorsport president, Wesley Wan, was left stunned when a crowd of 43,000 lined the streets to watch a demonstration event on Saturday involving Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersuari.

Wan is hoping such interest from the public could result in Hong Kong staging a race in the near future.

“This was the first step in gaining the support of the people,” said Wan. “We wanted to raise the exposure of Formula One by staging the live show, and I hope it will lead to Hong Kong hosting a grand prix race one day.

“My dream is that Hong Kong, like Singapore, Malaysia and China, will be a stop on the grand prix circuit.”

Although there are currently three street circuit venues on the F1 calendar, Wan added: “If Monte Carlo and Singapore can have it, why can’t Hong Kong?”

Burnley hope to keep McCann

SOCCER: Burnley manager Eddie Howe says he is hoping he can strike a new deal with Irish midfielder Chris McCann whose contract at the Championship club runs out this week, writes EMMETT MALONE.

“We’re still in discussions with Chris,” he said, “but it is getting nearer to pre-season now and hopefully we are getting there with him. The deal has to be right for Chris, but, obviously as we get close to returning for pre-season, I would like to think things will come to a conclusion sooner rather than later.” The 23 year-old former youth international has seen little enough first team action over the last year and a half due to a cruciate ligament injury and related problems. If he fails to agree terms to stay at Turf Moor there is expected to be a fair bit of interest with Bolton among the clubs reported to be monitoring his situation.

Collingwood and Prior dropped

CRICKET: Former captain Paul Collingwood and wicketkeeper Matt Prior have been dropped from England’s squads for upcoming one-day and Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board said yesterday. Wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter and all-rounder Samit Patel have been recalled for both squads while fast bowler Steven Finn is also a surprise selection.

Clarke earns point for Ireland

HOCKEY: Emma Clarke’s barnstorming goal earned Ireland a share of the spoils as they closed out their FIH Champion’s Challenge I group with a 1-1 draw against Spain at Belfield last night.

After an error-strewn first half, it was no less than the Irish deserved against their bogey side as they found a second half rhythm and looked the more likely winners.

Barbara Malda had given the Spanish the lead against the run of play, finishing off a simple chance from an Olalla Pineiro pass.

IRELAND: P Smithwick, M Harvey, E Smyth, E Clarke, A Speers, J O'Halloran, S McCarthy, N Symmons, A O'Flynn, L Colvin, N Daly. Subs: S McCay, J McDonnell, L Jacob, A Connery, C Watkins

O' Brien makes new career in golf

SOCCER: Ronnie O’Brien, the former underage international who hit the headlines more than a decade ago when he secured a surprise move to Juventus has embarked on a new sporting career, writes Emmet Malone. with the now 32-year-old from Bray taking up the position of assistant club professional at the The Old American Golf club in Texas.

O’Brien spent the best years of his football career in the United States, but retired three years ago and admits the amount of free time he had on his hands when not training, allowed him to lay the groundwork for the switch.

“When I was playing soccer, I spent a lot of my downtime on the golf course with teammates,” says O’Brien. “I fell in love with the game and making it a career felt like a natural progression.”