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| Players at the Chill East of Ireland in Sutton LTC |
SNOOKER: Junior snooker player Josh Boileau from Newbridge CYMS reached the semi-finals of the European Junior Open in Gloucester England. After winning all three of his group matches, Boileau was ranked No 1 for the knock-out stages. He beat Belgian player Sybren Sokolowski 3-0 in the last 32 and then Ashley Carty 3-2 in the last 16. Another narrow 3-2 victory over Brian Cini from Malta in the quarter-finals put him into the semi-finals. There he faced England international Elliot Slessor and, after a close battle, lost 2-4. Also playing was top Irish U-16 player Andrew Doherty who made the last 32, and Aaron Moyles from Co Mayo.
*Players ranging from top internationals to enthusiastic amateurs will compete in the Celtic Link Ferries Snooker in the 147 Club Wexford on August 28. With a handicap system in operation, all who enter have a chance of winning. Info Rodney Goggins 087-9948199.
TUG OF WAR: Boley from Co Wexford made it five in a row when they won tug of war’s 645kg title at their home grounds in New Ross. In the final, Boley got the better of Gortletteragh from Co Leitrim, with ten teams competing in the competition. Taking the division 2 title was Glenhill from Co Cork, with Cavan team Ballinagh the runners-up.
A further 12 teams competed in the novice event where Boyneside club from Co Offaly took gold when they beat Stapleton’s from Co Galway. After some good competition in the women’s 560kg, Boyneside came out on top, beating Ballinastoe from Co Wicklow. Ballinastoe went one better in the 6-a-side women’s competition, beating Donoughmore in the final. The championships continue in Ballycullane, Co Wexford on August 12 with the 720kg competitions.
TRIATHLON: Junior international triathelte Con Doherty from Westport finished seventh in the large field of over 70 at the Tabor ETU Triathlon Junior European Cup in the Czech Republic. Doherty’s time of 56 minutes 29 seconds put him less than a minute behind the winner Kristian Blummenfelt of Norway. Juniors race over the sprint distance of 750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run.
At the recent Antwerp Ironman 70.3 – a half Ironman 19km swim, 90km cycle, 21km run – Bryan McCrystal became the first Irishman to break the four-hour barrier for the distance. McCrystal finished 12th in 3 hours 58 minutes 27 seconds putting him thirteen minutes behind the winner. Ireland’s other finisher was Mark Nolan, who finished 42nd in 4:13.27, despite a crash and a puncture towards the end of the cycle.
Locally, over 1,100 took part in the Kilkenny Tri Grand Prix, with Colm Sheahan and Vanessa Fenton taking the honours in the Olympic distance race. Aaron O’Brien and former international athlete Niamh Richardson led home 603 finishers in the sprint event.
DUATHLON: With the sun making a rare appearance, spirits were high for the Runways Formula 1 Duathlon in Dublin Phoenix Park earlier this week. Making an early break over the three runs and two cycles was Cathal O’Donovan of Cork Tri, who held out for victory. A fighting second was Belpark’s Stephen Earley, while the fastest bike stages of the day pulled Joe Lynch of Pulse into third place. Judith Lowry of Invictus was a clear winner of the women’s race ahead of Marie Triona Keane and Jessica Byrne.
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| Not Portmarnock beach! |
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Despite the appalling weather, the beach volleyball season has seen no major interruption and at Portmarnock last weekend, 23 teams turned out for the summer’s sixth event. Winning the women’s competition were Katerina Mrackova and Lina Klimkeviciute (Team Walkover) who beat Leanne Dignam and Reika Deim (Team EEK!) in the final. In the men’s final, Andrew Goti and Janusz Stolarek (Team That’s What She Said) beat Irish international players Johnny Whitty and Benny O’Regan (Team Job Done). Woodstown Beach in Co Waterford is the venue for the next round on August 11. New teams always welcome!
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