SPORTS DIGEST

Other sports news in brief

 Lynch set for hearing as B sample tests positive

EQUESTRIAN:As anticipated, the B samples for the four cases involving the presence of capsaicin in horses in the show-jumping section of the Olympic Games have yielded positive test results, confirming the initial findings announced last Thursday in Hong Kong.

Ireland's Denis Lynch (Lantinus), Norway's Tony Andre Hansen (Camiro), Brazil's Bernardo Alves (Chupa Chup) and Germany's Christian Ahlmann (Coster) were withdrawn from the final round of the individual competition when the A samples revealed the presence of a banned substance.

Capsaicin is classified as a "doping" prohibited substance given its hypersensitising properties, and as a "medication class A" prohibited substance for its pain-relieving properties.

Each rider has been requested to provide evidence and written submissions to the Fédération Équestre Internationale, which has appointed a three-member panel to hear the cases. The hearings will be held on September 5th-7th in Lausanne.

Although riders may exercise or waive their right to be heard, Horse Sport Ireland last night confirmed it had been informed by Germany-based Lynch he would be taking up his right to a hearing.

Meanwhile, the FEI yesterday also confirmed the US dressage rider Courtney King's horse Mythilus tested positive for Felbinac, regarded as a "medication class A" prohibited substance.

Selby starts season in style

SNOOKER:Mark Selby made a winning start to the season with victory at the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast yesterday. Last season's Masters and Welsh Open champion impressed with a 5-1 win against qualifier Andrew Higginson at the Waterfront Hall.

The world number four will face Ian McCulloch of Preston in the last 16 today.

Ali Carter, last season's World Championship runner-up, also made a flying start to the season with a 5-1 win over qualifier Rory McLeod.Barry Hawkins, who dumped out Jimmy White in the first round, beat Hong Kong's Marco Fu 5-2.

Experimental side given a lesson

RUGBY:Ulster were given a serious working over by a full- strength Worcester side as the province's pre-season campaign ended in a comprehensive 10-23 defeat at Ravenhill last night.

Matt Williams chose to field another experimental side in a bid to rotate his squad ahead of the start of the Magners League campaign, but it struggled to make an impact against a Warriors XV fielding new signing Chris Latham and former All Blacks Rico Gear and Samuel Tuitupou.

The home side kept battling to the end after surrendering a 10-0 lead early in the first half.

SCORING SEQUENCE:1 min: M Jones pen, 0-3; 16: W Bowley try, Jones con, 0-10; 40: I Humphreys pen, 3-10; 46: N Talei try, 3-15; M Powell try, 3-20; 60: M McCrea try, Humphreys con, 10-20; 70: L Crichton pen, 10-23.

ULSTER:B Cunningham; T Nagusa, A Trimble (R Dewey 40), P Steinmetz (I Whitten 66), M McCrea; I Humphreys, P Marshall (C Willis 55); T Court, N Brady (S Philpott 66), B Young (J Fitzpatrick 40); C del Fava (F Paulo 40), R Caldwell; M McCullough (T Anderson 68), K Dawson (W Faloon 68), C Henry.

Ireland claim cup as play ruled out  

CRICKET:Ireland claimed the inaugural Carnegie Cup Series after yesterday's final One-Day International against Kenya was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Stormont, writes Emmet Riordan.

The umpires made their decision soon after the scheduled start of play, believing the bowlers' run-ups were still unsafe after the same problem led to the abandonment of Monday's game after eight overs. Ireland won the opening clash by 33 runs on Sunday.

Ireland take a break before travelling to Africa in October for their final two Intercontinental Cup group games against Namibia and Kenya. Captain William Porterfield is well aware they face an uphill battle to claim their third straight victory in the four-day competition.

"We've got four or five weeks before we go to Namibia and it's going to be tough; it's a game we have to go and win," he said.

Meanwhile, Cricket Ireland confirmed yesterday World Cup coach Adrian Birrell will play a role in the drafting of their new high-performance programme, with special emphasis on talent identification and development.

Ireland lose in Montenegro

BASKETBALL:Ireland's senior women suffered a 68-56 loss away to Montenegro in their opening European qualifier last night.

Ireland travelled to Montenegro with a strong squad boosted by the return of Susan Moran, Michelle Aspell, Mary Fox and Caroline Burgess.

But the first quarter highlighted Montenegro's strength as they claimed a 14-point advantage 24-10 and, by the second interval, they led 33-22.

Montenegro pulled away after the restart, but Ireland enjoyed a blistering end to the third quarter with Aspell, Aishling Sullivan and Moran providing baskets to leave 15 points between the sides.

Montenegro were in no mood to lose on their own patch, however, and, despite a brave effort from Ireland, held on for victory.

Ireland's next outing is at home to Slovenia at the University of Limerick on Saturday (7pm).

IRELAND 56 (22) S Moran 19,

A Sullivan 8, L Peat 8.