Sport

Carroll outpaced by Africans

Athletics: Mark Carroll finished fifth in a 1,500 metres race dominated by African runners in Linz last evening

Wed Aug 09 2000 - 01:00

Athletics: Mark Carroll finished fifth in a 1,500 metres race dominated by African runners in Linz last evening. After his defeat at Stockholm last week, the Irishman was looking for a good run ahead of Friday's Grand Prix meeting in Zurich but he was outpaced over the last 100 metres.

His time of three minutes 35.69 seconds was only seven-tenths of a second outside his personal best this season. Kenya's Paul Mwangi won from teammate, Benson Koech, in 3:34.29 with Ethiopians, Kamal Boulahfane and Mohammed Khadi in third and fourth.

Cycling: The strong foreign contingent in this year's Junior Tour dominated proceedings yesterday when all six placings were filled by non-Irish riders. Kieran Page of the British squad proved fastest in the four-kilometre prologue time-trial up Howth head, covering the distance in seven minutes seven seconds. Page pipped Dutchman Freek Folle and French-rider Mickael Sarkissian to take the first yellow jersey of the six-day race, with Tim Cassidy best of the Irish back in seventh place.

The five national teams present - France, Holland, Wales, England and Scotland - means this year's contest should be as competitive as ever. Best hope of a home victory lies with the Stena Ireland team of Cassidy, Michael Dennehy, Philip Duignan and national junior champion Colin Armstrong. The race continues tonight with a stage in Newbridge, starting at 6.30 p.m..

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Swimming: Entries for The Irish Times Dun Laoghaire Harbour Swim on Sunday, August 20th close this evening. The men's race, which begins at 4.30 p.m. over a mile and a half around the harbour, has attracted over 130 entrants while the women's event has 80-plus competitors thus far.

The women's race, which starts at 5.30 p.m., is over 1,200 yards and goes towards the lighthouse and back to the slipway by the lifeboat on the east pier.

There will be a special presentation to former winner Jack Cassidy, who won the race 50 years ago.

Racing: Grand National winner Leo McMorrow, who piloted Russian Hero to a surprise 66 to 1 victory in 1949, will be commemorated tomorrow with the holding of the inaugural Memorial Cup race in his name. The Leo McMorrow Memorial Handicap Hurdle is part of a two-day meet in his native Sligo, and will be attended by members of his family who will present a perpetual trophy to the winning owner.