Hockey: Adopting less resourcefully to the midsummer heat of Madrid yesterday, Ireland succumbed 2-1 to England in the crucial opening match in the European under-21 championship (A division), writes Dermot Ashmore. Apart from positive moves by Andrew Chambers at the back, Ireland could find little inspiration in the opening half in which England seized a 2-0 lead. Jonty Clarke put away the opening goal in the 19th minute after Charlie Henderson had phased a short corner shot.
Just before the interval, Danny Haydon increased the margin from a penalty stroke, conceded by Henderson in desperation as his fellow defenders were caught on the break.
Hopes of an Irish revival were prompted three minutes into the second half when Alan Giles got a touch to a free from Mark Black, to reduce the arrears. Yet, though Black went on to make a number of stimulating thrusts through the middle, as well as David Eakins and Colm Brady probing promisingly to the back line, there was to be no equaliser. James Fair remained defiant in the English goal, notably from set pieces.
Today, Dutch guile is unlikely to be mastered and probably Ireland can now only aim for a fifth place finish next weekend, which would earn inclusion in the Junior World Cup in Tasmania next year.
IRELAND (v England): C Henderson; A Chambers, S Butler (capt), K Burns, C Beere; M Harte, M Black, C Brady; D Hobbs, J Sherriff, D Eakins. Subs: A Giles, J Quigley.
Cycling: Italian based Michael McNena was the clear winner of yesterday's Mayo Grand Prix, crossing the line 15 seconds clear of Banteer rider Richie Cahill and Ras stage winner Stephen O'Sullivan, writes Shane Stokes. McNena, who is competing this season with the Sintofarm team, finished second behind Brian Kenneally in Saturday's Castlebar criterium, but went one better yesterday to underline his current good form.
Athletics: Gillian O'Sullivan completed her quest to attain all the national walk records with victory in the 10km race at Saturday's Dublin Grand Prix in the Phoenix Park. O'Sullivan's time of 43 minutes 28 seconds improved the previous mark of 45:12 set by Deirdre Gallagher in 1996 and means she now holds the national records at 3km, 5km, 10km and 20km.
Men 20km - 1, A Hohne (Germany) 1:22.05, 2, K Verten (Czech) 1:24.13, 3, N Dimer (Ger) 1:26.05; 50km - 1, T Nymara (Norway) 3:53.10, 2, P Tichy (Czech) 3:57.56, 3, M Pupis (Ger) 3:59.13.
Women: 10km - 1, G O'Sullivan (UCC) 43:28, 2, O Loughnane (Loughrea) 46:32; 20km - 1, M Seeger (Germany) 1:32.10, 2, A Amberg (Germany) 1:39.00, 3, M Elseehe (Venezuela) 1:41.0.
