KICKBOXING: Over 2,300 kickboxers from 21 nations are in action at the Irish Kickboxing Open in Citywest Saggart, Co Kildare, which started with preliminary rounds in a number of divisions yesterday (Fri) and concludes tomorrow (Sun).
After modest beginnings in 1995, the Irish Open has become one of the largest kickboxing tournaments in the world. This year, it has seen a 15% increase in numbers – testament to the hard work put in by former world champion Roy Baker and his team of dedicated volunteers.
While many great champions have emerged in the 13 years of the tournament, pro American fighter Raymond Daniels stands above them all. A prolific fighter in a number of disciplines, Daniels has won the Irish Open Grand Champion title for the past seven years.
Who will take him on this year? After today’s eliminators in the three disciplines of light, semi and full contact, a “Night of Champions” show takes place tonight (8pm). Tomorrow, the battle for the title of Grand Champion begins with elimination rounds for men and women from 3pm and the finals at 7pm. Spectators are welcome. The event is run in aid of the ISPCC.
HOCKEY: In just a week’s time, the Irish men’s hockey team begin their campaign to win selection for the London Olympics. Although the Green Machine has home advantage at the National Stadium in UCD, they still must beat strong teams from Russia, Ukraine, Korea, Chile and Malaysia. First up are Russian and Ukraine next weekend. Tickets are already getting scarce; see www.hockey.ie; email tickets@hockey.ie or call 01 7163262.
SNOOKER: Victory for Brendan O’Donoghue of New Insitute Nenagh in snooker’s sixth ranking tournament this week could see him displace Rodny Goggins of 147 Wexford at the top of the ranking table. O’Donoghue won the last tournament, when Goggins was knocked out in the semi-finals. However Goggins has been Mr Consistency all season winning he first tournament, and always making it at least as far as the semi-finals. Also in contention is Vincent Muldoon of Maynooth, with two wins under his belt, but vulnerable in the early stages of a tournament. After this weekend, one further tournament remains before the National Championships in May where double point are on offer.
BADMINTON: No luck for the Irish at the Yonex German Open Grand Prix Gold tournament – a top ranked tournament with the world’s best in attendance. Only the mixed doubles pairing of Chloe and Sam Magee, world ranked 40, made it into the main draw. They came up against the World No 19 pairing of Shoji Sato and Shizuka Matssuo, losing 11-21,12-21 in the first round. Going out in the opening rounds of qualification were Chloe Magee, Scott Evans, who is battling injury, and Sam Magee with his Danish partner Mikkel Elbjorn.
NETBALL: UCD’s women dominated the Irish University Netball Championships, beating host college Queen’s University 29-10 in the final. In a packed weekend of play, the UCD women had an unbeaten run in the round robin stages and were fresher than their opponents, although they had a nervy show-down with Jordanstown in the semi-final. The Player of the Tournament award went to UCD’s goal attack Nicole Crockford, who is from Northern Ireland. Next up for UCD are the semi-finals and finals of the Netball Ireland Winter League, where they are likely to come up against many times champions St Anne’s. Internationally, an Irish team will play at the inaugural World University Netball Championships in Cape Town next July.
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