McCarthy sees off Nash to claim title

WESTMEATH’S Robbie McCarthy was in awesome form as he claimed the open singles title at the Irish 40x20 Nationals in Mayo yesterday.

The Mullingar right-hander recovered from a 15-13 reversal in game one to beat Clare’s Diarmaid Nash 15-3, 11-9 to claim the first ‘Major’ of the handball season.

Nash had seen off his own doubles partner, Colin Crehan, with McCarthy beating reigning Irish senior champion Martin Mulkerrins.

Meanwhile, Limerick’s Martina McMahon won her first ladies open singles title, beating Catriona Casey of Cork in the decider 15-13, 15-6, having trailed 13-6 in game one.

CYCLING

EDDIE DUNBAR finished seventh overall at the Tour de la Provence, but the Cork man left his mark on the final stage with another aggressive display.

Dunbar, sitting 15 seconds off the general classification lead of Spaniard Gorka Izagirre, launched an attack 14km from the finish of the fourth stage from Avignon to Aix-en-Provence and stayed away until 800m from the finish.

The Team Sky rider was joined by David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), but was left to do all the work before being swallowed up by the chasing bunch.

Dunbar finished 13th to hold on to his overall position of seventh as the final stage honours went to Trek-Segafredo’s John Degenkolb and Izagirre sealed the GC.

Nicolas Roche finished 39th overall.

MOTORSPORT

IT WAS a case of job done for Kris Meeke in Sweden as his team-mate Ott Tanak and the Toyota team celebrated their first win of the World Rally Championship season.

Sixth place may not have been the result he hoped for, but the Tyrone driver played his part in taking Toyota to the top of the manufacturers’ championship and he retained his fourth place in the drivers’ standings, which are now topped by the indomitable Tanak.

Meanwhile, Armagh’s James Wilson got his season off to the best start by winning the Junior section of the Cambrian Rally in North Wales in his Peugeot 208.

Elsewhere, for the third time in four years, Robert Barrable and Ciaran Larkin were the winners of the ALMC Spring Lanes Endurance Trial, heading a clean sweep of the top 11 places for Toyota Starlets.

BASKETBALL

LORCAN MURPHY kept league leaders Templeogue in control, with his 31 points powering his side to a 90-77 victory over UCC Demons in Inchicore.

Murphy, who returned to action following injury, helped the Dubliners hold off a Demons fightback in the final quarter.

Tralee Warriors kept hot on their heels after Paul Dick, Eoin Quigley and Keith Jumper ensured a 71-55 win over Cup winners Killester at home to leave them joint second alongside Belfast Star and UCD.