A round-up of other sports news in brief
Schumacher and Massa impress on test returns
MOTOR SPORT: The opening of the 2010 Formula One testing programme in Valencia yesterday marked impressive comebacks by the former Ferrari team-mates Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher.
Massa proved he has fully recovered from the head injuries sustained during qualifying for the Hungarian grand prix last August by being fastest for most of the day, the Ferrari driver lapping the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in one minute 12.574 seconds.
But the story of the afternoon was the 41-year-old Schumacher’s return to the cockpit after a three-year absence. The seven-times world champion made his first appearance at 3.30pm and settled in immediately by lapping faster than new team-mate Nico Rosberg, who had driven the Mercedes for 39 laps in the morning. As Schumacher became accustomed to the car and the latest generation of tyres, he reduced his lap time to one minute 12.947 seconds, the third fastest of the day.
“In a way it’s like 91 again [when the German made his debut],” said Schumacher. “I was shocked and excited then [and it was the same today]. I felt like I had a toy in my hands. For the first day, the team have done a superb job.”
Massa and Schumacher were split by Pedro de la Rosa as the 38-year-old Spaniard recorded 1:12.784 in his Sauber.
Seven of the anticipated 13 teams took part yesterday.
GuardianService
Counsel set up St Kieran's date
GOOD Counsel set themselves up for a Leinster Colleges’ SHC quarter-final clash with St Kieran’s, Kilkenny after their powerful finish overwhelmed St Brendan’s CS, Birr on a 1-18 to 1-14 scoreline in Dicksboro yesterday.
Good Counsel trailed 1-8 to 1-9 at the end of a fiercely competitive opening half and the sides were deadlocked for the sixth and final occasion at 1-10 apiece with 37 minutes gone. Wind-assisted Good Counsel, inspired by Seán Lester, Syl Barron and Nicky Doyle, then opened their shoulders and outscored their opponents decisively.
GOOD COUNSEL: J Sutton; E Doyle, A Nolan, G Foley; C Foran, M Hanlon (0-2, frees), M Cody; S Barron (0-6, five frees), B Furlong (0-1); N Doyle (0-2), S Lester (0-5), C Joyce (1-0); D Crowdle (0-1), J Guiney (0-1), S O'Gorman. Subs: T Murphy for Barron blood (26-28 mins), M Mansfield for Joyce (60 mins).
ST BRENDAN'S: J Connors; C Murray, D Regan, J McIntyre; K Donovan, B Murphy (0-3, frees), C Pardy; L Brady (0-2), E Dunne (0-1); T Carroll (0-1), A Kealey (0-1), S Carroll; D Maher, A Hynes, K Connolly (1-6, five frees). Subs: P Mullins for S Carroll (half time), P McCarthy for Maher (41 mins), E Hayes for Mullins (55 mins).
Tribunal ban Di Luca for two years
CYCLING: Italian Danilo Di Luca has been banned for two years for testing positive for illegal blood booster CERA during last Mays Giro d’Italia, the Italian Olympic Committees (CONI) anti-doping tribunal ruled yesterday.
“We will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. I’m convinced I’ll be able to return earlier than in two years,” Di Luca said.
Prosecutors had wanted Di Luca, the 2007 Giro champion who was the runner-up in the race last year, to face a three-year suspension but the tribunal opted instead for a two-year ban and a €280,000 fine plus costs. Di Luca, provisionally suspended in July when news of the failed test was announced, had questioned the methods of the laboratory which handled both his positive samples. He served a three-month suspension in 2007.
