O’Donovans settle for runners-up

ROWING

OLYMPIC silver medallists Paul and Gary Donovan had to settle for double sculls runners-up in yesterday’s final of the Henley Regatta, as Britain’s Jack Beaumont and Angus Groom eased to victory on the River Thames.

The Skibbereen brothers had an explosive start but once the two crews settled into the long middle of the 2,112-metre course, the British duo looked stronger.

After the half-mile marker the Cork duo failed to mount any serious challenge and ultimately failed to follow up their Saturday semi-final, which they won by eclipsing the Romanian crew.

HOCKEY

TWO late penalty corners rescued Ireland’s women as they beat Japan 2-1 at the Mardyke in a World Cup warm-up.

The Japanese, already two up in the three-match series, looked well on the away to completing the whitewash when a fine rising shot from Minami Shimizu gave them an early lead.

But the Irish set-piece routine delivered a second-half equaliser from Anna O’Flanagan before Hannah Matthews powered home the winner in the final minute, also at a corner.

BOXING

IRELAND had to settle for three silver medals after losing three finals at the Brandenburg Youth Cup which concluded in Frankfurt/Oder, Germany on Saturday.

Adam Hession and John Paul Hale lost to Kazakh pair Makhmud Sabyrkhan and Dibars Zhexen on 3-2 and 4-1 split decisions in the light-fly and bantam deciders at the 16-nation tournament.

Cork flyweight Owen McDonagh was beaten on a unanimous decision by England’s European Youth champion Hope Price for 52kg gold.

MOTORSPORT

IRISH drivers scored a resounding victory over their British rivals in the annual Formula Vee Festival meeting at Mondello Park yesterday, in aid of the Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice. Colm Blackburn took the lead from early pace setter Anthony Cross just before half distance, winning by just one tenth of a second after a ferocious duel all the way.

TRIATHLON

CON DOHERTY retained his standard (Olympic) distance national champion crown in the hotly contested Base2Race Harbourman Triathlon in Wicklow yesterday as Carolyn Hayes triumphed in the women’s race.

SAILING

LIAM GLYNN claimed bronze in the U-21 Laser World Championships on Saturday in difficult conditions off Poland’s Baltic coast from a fleet of 133 competitors.