TRIATHLON: Eimear Mullen from Portstewart became the first Irish triathlete to win an Ironman title after her victory in Ironman UK last weekend. Mullen was building on the achievements of the sport’s pioneers – the late Anne Kearney who won the over 40 title at the European Ironman Championships, and Ger Hartmann, who made the top 10 at the Ironman world championships.
She had proved her credentials by winning Ironman 70.3 earlier this year, but this was only her second outing over the full Ironman distance. American Amanda Stevens built up a huge lead after the swim, but Mullan kept her head down on the cycle and, at the 20-mile mark in the run, took over the lead. Meanwhile at the European Cup Triathlon in Geneva, Bryan Keane finished ninth, just over two minutes behind the winner. Amy Wolfe was 18th woman.
Locally, Stephen Early and Aoife Lynch were the winners at the Beast of the East Olympic triathon in Co Wicklow.
Triathlon’s National Series continues this weekend with the King of the Hill sprint in Kinsale. Defending women’s champion Deirdre Casey returns, while a strong group of junior triathletes will battle in out in the men’s race with “oldies” such as Cork veteran Trevor Woods and Dublin-based Bjorn Ludick.
TABLE TENNIS: Although all eyes are currently on London 2102, normal sporting life is continuing, with the autumn season around the corner. In table tennis for instance, entry is now open for the opening classification tournament of the season on the weekend of August 25 at the Alsaa, Dublin Airport.
Last year, record numbers took part in the qualification competition and big numbers are again expected. Because of the round robin format, players get lots of matches and can pick up valuable Butterfly rankings points. Just four men and two women make it through the Senior Classification play-offs on the Sunday.
Last year’s qualifiers included Stephen Slater and Anthony Redmond, while Teresa Devanney and Ros Carpenter came through on the women’s side.
Over the season, Irish No 1 Amanda Mogey maintained her position at the top of the table, with fellow senior international Paul McCreery best of the men.
SNOOKER: David Cassidy and Ryan Cronin both made the last 16 at the World U-21 Snooker Championships in China. Cronin went out to eventual winner Lu Haotian aged just 14, while Cassidy lost to 15-year-old Zhu Yinghui, who lost in the final to Lu. In the group stages, Cassidy had handed Lu his only defeat of the tournament. Karl Fitzpatrick, the third member of the Irish team went out in the group stages.
Winning the Griffith Classic Tour 6 at Sharkx in Newbridge was Ronan Deegan who beat Annette Newman in the final. It was a second final on the tour for Newman, who now leads the rankings.
ORIENTEERING: Nick Simonin finished 27th in the sprint race at the World Orienteering Championships in Lausanne – the best result ever for an Irish orienteer at this level. Simonin also qualified for the gruelling 16km long distance final and was part of the relay team that finished 26th behind first time winners Czech Republic, Members of the Irish squad are now in Sweden for the annual O-Ringen – the largest event of its kind in the world, with over 20,000 competing over five days.
ADVENTURE: Following his commanding win at the Ras Na Riochta Adventure Race in Kerry, organised by Cappanalea OEC, Cork’s Tim O’ Donoghue is favourite to win this weekend’s Wicklow Adventure Race (WAR) at Glenmalure.
In Kerry, O’Donoghue completed the 47km course – including mountain biking, hill running and canoeing – in 3 hours 28 minutes 42 seconds. Almost half an hour behind was Sean Tagney, with the veteran Paul Mahon third. Hilary Jenkinson was first woman. In the shorter “sport” event, Sean Murphy was first man and Tasmin Kenny first woman.
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