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| Mattias Wigardt |
BADMINTON: Irish junior No 1 Jonathan Dolan from Sligo leads a small Irish team heading for the World Junior Badminton Championships Badminton starting on next Thursday October 25. Hopes are high that at least one of the team can make the last 16, despite a strong entry from China, Malaysia and Korea. First off is the team competition , followed by the individual event, starting on October 30. The players are Jonathan Dolan, Jushua Magee, Alannah Stephenson and Rachel Darragh.
Stephenson and Darragh made the doubles final at last weekend’s Fyffes Irish Futures Series tournament in Baldoyle, losing out to the experienced pairing of Sinead Chambers and Jennie King. Chambers also made the women’s singles singles final, where she put up a brave fight against the eventual winner Perrine le Buhanic of France.
In the men’s singles final, Mattias Wigardt of Sweden had a comfortable straight sets win over Maxim Michel of France.
Winning the men’s doubles were the young Welsh pairing of Daniel Font and Oliver Gwilt who toppled top seeds Martin Campbell and Angus Gilmour of Scotland.
SNOOKER: Ex-snooker pro David Hogan from Nenagh made a winning return to the amateur ranks at the opening senior tournament of the season in Carlow.
Hogan, the 2009 European amateur champion, lost only one frame in the early round robin matches. He then dismissed former Irish champions Colm Gilcreest and Davy Morris to make the semi-finals, where he beat Phil Arnold of Celbridge 4-0.
In the final, Hogan saw off the challenge of Newbridge teenager Josh Boileau 5-1.
Boileau, aged 17, was playing in his first senior final. He beat David Cassidy and Robert Redmond to make the semi-final, where he showed great composure to beat experienced international Robert Murphy 4-3. Going out in the last 16 were top seed Rodney Goggins, who lost to Robert Murphy, and No 2 seed Brendan beaten by Phil Arnold.
RUGBY LEAGUE: After their memorable victory over Scotland in Edinburgh last weekend, the Irish Wolfhounds play England Knights at Deramore Park Belfast on Saturday (6pm).
The squad of 30 includes members of local clubs Antrim Eels, Athboy Longhorns, Dublin City Exiles and Treaty City Titans, as well as England-based players from clubs including the Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos. For both Ireland and England, the match is part of their preparation for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in England and Wales next November. This will include a first ever encounter with Australia at Thomond Park in Limerick.
HOCKEY: Three of the top Leinster clubs have home matches in the opening round of the Electric Ireland Irish Senior Cup On November 3. Hermes play Randalstown, Loreto face Queen’s and Old Alex play host to Portadown. Railway Union travels south to for a tricky assignment against Cork Harlequins. In an all Leinster match in the men’s draw, UCD are at home to Monkstown, YMCA host UCC and Fingal face Banbridge. Pembroke Wanderers face Lisnagarvey, Avoca travel to Kilkeel, while Railway Union go to NICS and Three Rock Rovers to Instonians.
TRIATHLON: Irish record holder Martin Muldoon finished best of the Irish at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. On a sweltering day, Muldoon came home in 9 hours 29 minutes 51 seconds, passing Alan Ryan from Wexford on the marathon run. Muldoon was 19th in the over 35 age group while Ryan’s time of 9:33.34 put him an impressive 3rd in the 45-49 years age group.
Also breaking the ten-hour barrier were Ivan O’Gorman, Owen Martin, Michael O’Brien and Liam Dolan. Matt Molloy in the over 40 age group finished in 10:09.27, with Rob Cummins over an hour behind. Only Irish woman in action was Sharon O’Hara who finished in 14:04.43.
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