Sports Digest

A round-up of other sports news in brief...

Mosley sees trouble ahead

FORMULA ONE: The threat of a breakaway Formula One championship has not gone away despite a peace deal announced this week, motor racing chief Max Mosley warned yesterday. A day after suggesting the agreement could collapse unless Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo apologised for comments about him, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) president saw further trouble ahead. In two separate letters, he called on FIA members to stand firm against the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) and the manufacturers behind them.

“The FIA has to be free to confront the car industry whenever necessary,” he said.

Mayweather to square up to Marquez on September 19th

BOXING: The hotly-anticipated welterwight fight between American Floyd Mayweather Jr and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez has been rescheduled for September 19th, organisers said yesterday.

Initially set for July 18th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the non-title 12-round bout was postponed earlier this month after Mayweather suffered a rib injury during training.

The flamboyant 32-year-old, an undefeated five-division world champion, has since received clearance from doctors that he can compete on the revised date, three days after Mexican Independence Day, at the same venue.

“I am relieved to be cleared to fight as I was already looking forward to getting back in the ring,” Mayweather (39-0, 25 knockouts) said in a statement.

Brezac continues to defy the odds

TENNIS: Frenchman Charles-Antoine Brezac once more illustrated his ability to upset the odds when he battled his way through to the final of the Irish Men’s Open Futures, at the Fitzwilliam Club, Dublin yesterday.

Unseeded Brezac, who has a world ranking of 735th, caused a major shock when he dumped out number two seed Raven Klaasen of South Africa 6-2, 6-2 in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

And yesterday he maintained the momentum with a relatively straight-forward 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win over the number three seed and compatriot, Philippe de Bonnevie, in the semi-finals.

In the second semi-final, Switzerland’s Alexander Sadecky’s attempt to replicate his outright success in the City of Dublin championships last week was derailed by the top seed, Ryler DeHeart of the United States. DeHeart won 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Breen hits form ahead of derby

EQUESTRIAN: Shane Breen showed himself to be in form for tomorrow’s DFS Derby at Hickstead when finishing second in yesterday’s trial on his own 11-year-old chestnut gelding Dorada, reports Margie McLoone.

Only two combinations made it through to the second round and while Breen put in an excellent time of 58.28, Dorada lowered three fences. Britain’s Jo Pay and Goodman’s Randi’s Gold took the first-place prize money when clear in 70.68. Ireland’s Alex Duffy was fastest of those on four faults to finish third with Courtown.

On the national show jumping scene, there are two rounds of the Showjumping Ireland Grand Prix league being staged this weekend with 29 horses declared for today’s leg in Kilrush and 33 nominated for Charleville tomorrow. The penultimate round of the premier pony league takes place tomorrow in Mullingar.

Ireland's promotion hopes dashed

HOCKEY: Ireland’s hopes of promotion to the second tier of the Champions Challenge series were ended by Belgium in Russia yesterday, Gene Muller’s team going down to a 3-1 defeat in the semi-finals of the tournament, reports Mary Hannigan.

All four goals came from penalty corners, the first from Shirley McCay in the 10th minute. But Belgium were level within three minutes through Jill Boon, Dorianne Meuwese putting them 2-1 up in the 24th minute, before Erica Coppey completed the scoring midway through the second half. Belgium go on to meet India in tomorrow’s final, the winners of which will be promoted, with Ireland meeting Ukraine in the third place play-off.

In Edinburgh the Irish senior men’s and women’s A teams got off to winning starts against France in the Celtic Cup. Debutants Chris Cargo, Paul Gleghorne and Brian Doherty got the goals for the men’s team in their 3-1 victory, while Nicci Daly got the winner eight minutes from time in the women’s 2-1 win.