CANOEING: After many years in the minor placings, Celbridge’s Neil Fleming and Peter Egan of Salmon Leap teamed up to win the K2 class at the Great Outdoors Liffey Descent.
Despite the race taking place a month later than usual, conditions were perfect and Egan and Fleming’s time of just over 1 hour 49 minutes was not far off the course record. Earlier this summer, the pair had teamed up to win the British marathon title, and were using the race as a final tune-up before the World Championships in Singapore. “We had to get over Straffan Weir first and we did that. Only when we got over Palmerstown did we realise that we were on course for the record, but it was not to be. We had a few slip-ups that cost us time,” the pair said after.
Many times previous winner Gary Mawer of Salmon came home in just over two hours to win the men’s K1 class, with Deaglain O Driscooile, winner of the Sella Classic earlier this summer, the first master.
Aisling Smith, overall winner in the junior wildwater class, produced the best women’s result of the day. Over 700 took part in the race.
VOLLEYBALL:For the first time in many years, the Irish women’s volleyball team hosts a full international match when they play Scotland on Sunday in UCD Belfield (12.30pm). The match is part of the squad’s preparation for the European Small Nations Championships next summer where qualification for the European Championships’ main draw is at stake.
Scotland arrived in Dublin on Friday and joined the Irish squad yesterday (Sat) for training followed by a low-key “friendly”. Coaching the Irish squad is Mark Delahunty of Aer Lingus.
Admission to Sunday’s match is free, so if you’ve never watched a top quality volleyball match, now is your chance!
BADMINTON: Fancy taking up badminton? Baldoyle Badminton Centre, Grange Road, Dublin is venue for a free open day on Sunday October 23 (). Men, women and children of all ages and levels of fitness are welcome to come alone and give the sport a try. All equipment is supplied Come along on the day or phone 01-8393355 for more info.
Abroad, Scott Evans went out in the second round of the Dutch Open to Indian playerHS Prannoy, despite winning the opening set.
SNOOKER: Carlow-based PJ Nolan has become the first official World Snooker recognised coach from this country after an intensive training course at the England Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
Locally, the Intermediate Series resumes today (Sat) at four locations. Wayne Doyle, Ray Power, Frank Sarsfield and John Connors took the honours in the opening round. Venues are Crossguns SC , Dublin (east), Bridge Club, Dundalk, Newbridge CYMS (South East), Northwest SC (Northwest) and New Institute, Nenagh (West).
RUGBY LEAGUE: Ireland’s rugby league team is hoping to cause an upset when it playes Scotland in Glasgow tomorrow (Sun). Last time the two sides met, the Irish fell apart in the second half of the match and gave Scotland an easy victory.
With the World Cup of 2013 in mind, coach Mark Aston has selected
thirteen uncapped players in his 30 man squad for the upcoming test series. After Scotland, the Irish face Wales and France.
SURFING: After the excitement of Eurosurf in Bundoran, the Irish surfing season concludes with the annual intercounty championships at Rossnolwagh, with teams from Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Clare and Waterford all contenders for the overall title.
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