A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Dignity in defeat for Pakistan
CRICKET: England held their nerve to eke out a 24-run win against a spirited Pakistan at Chester-le-Street and go 1-0 up in the one-day series yesterday.
Dignified defeat was perhaps a step in the right direction for tourists still beset by the spot-fixing controversy, while a competitive match was a comparative triumph for cricket too as it tries to recover from two weeks of crisis.
England’s 274 for six, in a contest reduced to 41 overs per side after overnight rain, was a tough target – thanks to half-centuries from Steve Davies (87) and Jonathan Trott (69) and despite Saeed Ajmal’s four for 58.
Cloud cover raised the prospect of early gains for Pakistan after they won the first toss of this five-match series. It was not to be, however, as England openers Davies and Andrew Strauss put on 78 in under 12 overs — handing out some conspicuous punishment for Umar Gul and debutant Mohammad Irfan.
Soccerfest in Phoenix Park
SOCCER: The 14th annual Sport Against Racism in Ireland (SARI)/Concern Soccerfest kicks off at the Garda and Camogie Sports Grounds in the Phoenix Park at 10am today. Among the highlights of day one will be an All Star game featuring Irish internationals from a number of other sports, scheduled for 2.30.
In all, more than 40 teams will compete and the fifth annual Women’s Soccerfest will get under way at noon tomorrow. Admission on both days is free.
Railway look to have the edge
CRICKET: Railway Union go into today's Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup final at Balrothery (11.0) as the overwhelming favourites, a position opponents Merrion have been well used to in this year's competition, writes Emmet Riordan.
The Ballsbridge outfit have been underdogs in all four previous ties, only to see off sides of the quality of Strabane, CIYMS, North County and Waringstown to reach the final for the first time. Barring the CI game, all the other victories came on the road.
Skipper John Anderson has been in fine form with both bat and ball, while Australia pro Greg Clarence has also done well in the competition this year.
Even still, the inclusion of Ireland stars Trent Johnston and Kevin O’Brien following their recent trip to Canada gives Railway the edge on match-winners as they look to secure a second title following their success in 2006.
All proceeds from today’s game will go to the Concern Emergency Pakistan Appeal.
Irish crews make encouraging start
ROWING:Ireland had two reasons to be cheerful after the first day of the European Championships in Montemor-o-Velho in Portugal yesterday, writes Liam Gorman.
The men’s lightweight double scull of Niall Kenny and Mark O’Donovan recovered from finishing last in their heat to produce a heartening performance in their repechage. They came from behind to win and qualify for the A/B semi-final.
Earlier, Claire Lambe and Siobhán McCrohan showed their characteristic battling qualities to finish second in their heat of the lightweight double sculls.
Germany were set for the one A Final qualification place from early on, while France, Italy and Ireland became embroiled in a battle to prove themselves best of the rest.
Lambe and McCrohan won out and should qualify for the A Final from their repechage today.
Ireland pipped at the post as Scotland take title
GOLF:Ireland were pipped at the post in a gripping finale to the Women's Amateur Home International Championship at rain-sodden Whitchurch in Cardiff yesterday.
A six-foot putt on the last green by Scotland’s British Open strokeplay champion Pamela Pretswell denied Ireland their first title for six years.
That clinching putt gave the 22-year-old Glasgow University student a one-hole victory over the previously unbeaten Leona Maguire, and it meant heartache for the Irish.
It resulted in a 5-4 win for the Scots who lifted the Miller Trophy for the first time since 1991, also in Wales – at Aberdovey.
If Maguire and Pretswell had halved spoils would have been shared and Ireland would have carried off the title by virtue of having secured more individual points.
“So near yet so far,” said Irish captain Claire Robinson after a gripping final afternoon as fortunes ebbed and flowed.
Roche stays ninth in Spain
CYCLING: Nicolas Roche and the other top-10 contenders will have another big rendezvous today, with the battle in the Vuelta a España moving to the summit finish of Peña Cabarga, writes Shane Stokes.
Roche remained ninth after yesterday’s stage to Burgos, staying two minutes 30 seconds behind leader Igor Anton of Euskaltel.
Roche saved his energy yesterday, rolling in 34th. He was classed as finishing in the same time as bunch sprint victor Mark Cavendish, who once again benefited from a superb leadout from his HTC Columbia team-mate Matt Goss and landed his second consecutive victory.
In other news, 12 Irish riders will line out in Rochdale today for the start of the Tour of Britain. The charge will be led by Dan Martin, who won the Tour of Poland and two other races last month.
