SPORTS DIGEST

More sports news in brief.

Irish five visit Beijing arena today

BOXING:The governing body of world amateur boxing, the AIBA, yesterday officially confirmed the list of 286 boxers that will compete in next months Olympic Games at the Workers Indoor Arena in Beijing, China.

All but two of that 286 - which includes five Irishmen - booked their Olympic tickets outright from the qualifying process, which began with the World Championships in Chicago last October.

The other two were granted invitation places from the Tripartite Commission.

Russia is the only nation to have qualified boxers in all 11 weight categories.

The hosts, China, have qualified 10, as have Cuba, Morocco and Kazakhstan.

The five-man Irish squad arrived in Beijing yesterday and are due to visit the Workers Indoor Arena today before leaving tomorrow for their final training camp, in Vladivostok, Russia.

Carey inspires Limerick to intermediate title 

HURLING:Limerick captured the Munster intermediate hurling title for the first time since 1998 with a 2-16 to 2-12 victory against Tipperary in last night's provincial final at Semple Stadium.

Former All Star Ciarán Carey led the charge from full back as the Shannonsiders atoned for last year's final defeat against Waterford to register a third success at this grade, in front of 2,000 spectators in Thurles.

Limerick had scoring contributions from all six of their starting forwards, including a six-point haul from Denis O'Connor, while a dangerous full-forward line contributed 2-6.

At the other end, Tipperary right half forward and captain Noel Hogan scored 2-5 and was just a couple of feet away from a third goal with four minutes remaining as his shot fizzed wide of the Town End goal.

Sri Lanka struggle after rain delay

CRICKET:Sri Lanka reached 85 for 2 at close of play on the rain-affected first day of the first Test against India in Colombo.

Opener Malinda Warnapura was unbeaten on 50 at stumps, his fourth half-century in seven Test innings. Captain Mahela Jayawardene finished 16 not out.

Sri Lanka, who have lost only one of 16 home Tests since August 2004, including 11 wins, won the toss and chose to bat. Play finally started at around 3:30pm local time.

Michael Vandort edged Ishant Sharma to wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik to leave the home team struggling on 7 for 1; then Kumar Sangakkara was caught at slip by Rahul Dravid off Zaheer Khan.

Gay to miss London clash

ATHLETICS:World 100 metres champion Tyson Gay has pulled out of his eagerly-awaited head-to-head with Asafa Powell at the London Grand Prix tomorrow night.

The American has lost his battle to regain full fitness following a hamstring injury.

The clash between Gay and Jamaica's former world record holder was set to one of the highlights of the meeting.