Stirling’sall-round heroicsinvain

CRICKET

PAUL STIRLING produced one of the finest all-round displays in the history of one-day internationals for Ireland in Delhi yesterday, but for a second successive game the man-of-the-match finished on the losing side as Afghanistan took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series with a 34-run victory.

Stirling claimed 6-55 with his often under-deployed off-spin – the best figures by an Irish bowler in an ODI – and was then cruelly sawn off five short of a century at the Greater Noida ground by an lbw decision that was on the diabolical side of abominable.

Only Paul Collingwood, of England, has ever taken six wickets and scored a century in an ODI but personal glory aside, Stirling was leading the charge towards Afghanistan’s total of 338 with five sixes and nine fours in his 80-ball innings when Rashid Khan’s appeal was upheld.

CYCLING

ADAM BLYTHE recorded his second podium place for Aqua Blue Sport in as many days, finishing second in the Handzame Classic behind Kristoffer Halvorsen.

The Irish ProContinental outfit are still looking for their first win, but the British champion is getting closer after finishing half a bike length behind the Norwegian, 24 hours after finishing second in the Nokere Koerse.

At home, Matteo Cigala of Aqua Blue won the Bobby Power Memorial in Clonea on the outskirts of Carrick-on-Suir yesterday and looks to be in flying form ahead of the Des Hanlon Cup tomorrow, which kick starts the Classic League series.

Meanwhile, Sam Bennett will be the only Irish man on the start list of today’s Milan-San Remo.

BOXING

LONDON 2012 silver medallist John Joe Nevin admits he is “devastated” after a rib injury ruled him out of his ninth pro fight in the USA.

The unbeaten bantam was slated to meet Luis Lebron in Philadelphia next Friday but picked up the injury sparring with world champion Jason Sosa on Thursday ahead his first fight since August.

“My ribs are not broken, just badly bruised. It’s devastating, I’ve had no luck at all this last while,” said Nevin. “I’m staying out here training. The fight is not off, it’s just postponed.”

ATHLETICS

THE Irish quartet of Eoin Everard, John Travers, Paul Robinson and Sean Tobin failed to break the four-by-amile world record of 16:12.81 in Athlone yesterday, coming home in 16:26.58.