SPORTS DIGEST: RACING:Richard Hannon has confirmed his stable star Canford Cliffs has been retired to stud. The five-time Group One winner came off second best when meeting Frankel in the highly-anticipated "Duel on the Downs" in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last week. Connections have subsequently found the four-year-old to have suffered a minor injury but have decided to call time on his racing career.
Martin fourth going into toughest stage in Poland
CYCLING: Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervelo) goes into today's toughest stage of the Tour of Poland in fourth place, 20 seconds behind race leader Peter Sagan, writes Shane Stokes.
The Irishman, who won the race last year, rode solidly on yesterday’s fifth stage to Zakopane but the course was not tough enough for his climbing abilities to come into play.
Although Martin and Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) were prominent on the final hill, the last three kilometres were flat and allowed a regrouping.
Sagan, who is strong on undulating courses but not a pure climber, moved back toward the front and was able to take a strong sprint victory, further extending his lead due to the bonuses.
Martin placed 26th, with a split in the main group giving Sagan an additional time gain of three seconds.
Martin knows he must put in a big ride on today’s toughest stage, 207.7 kms to Bukowina Tatrzaska, which includes 12 first category climbs, including a summit finish.
Tomorrow’s final leg is much flatter, making today’s stage crucial to Martin’s aspirations.
Elsewhere, former Irish international Chris Juul Jensen has signed a two-year contract with the Saxo Bank SunGard squad, turning pro with Bjarne Riis’ set-up.
He lived in Ireland until 2006, representing the country in the 2005 European youth Olympics. His family relocated to Denmark and he took out a Danish licence.
Phelan in form but other Irish slip up
GOLF: Kevin Phelan,the west Waterford-based international, became the main Irish challenger in the European Amateur Individual Championship in Sweden yesterday as Alan Dunbar, Dermot McElroy and Paul Cutler all slipped down the leaderboard.
Phelan who made his name by qualifying for last year’s US Open, fired a splendid three-under par 69 to put himself on two under 142 at the halfway stage.
Phelan goes into the third round six strokes adrift of leader Steven Brown, the English champion.
Dunbar who had returned a 68 on the first day, slumped to 75 and is now one under par. His downfall came with a double bogey and two bogeys just before the turn.
Portstewart’s Paul Cutler also returned a 75 for a 144 total, and Richard O’Donovan also carded a 75 and is on that mark.
Ballymena teenager Dermot McElroy had a round to forget, hitting six bogeys in a round of 78.
Elsewhere, Ireland maintained their unblemished record in the Girls Home Internationals over the Gullane No 2 links and today have the chance to end their barren run by lifting the Stroyan Cup.
They beat Wales 5-4 and a halved match with reigning champions England would give them the crown.
England, who were stunned by Wales on Wednesday, edged home 5-4 against Scotland yesterday.
Men play for last squad spots
HOCKEY: In the final preparations for this month's European Championships the Irish women face Spain tonight in Belfield and Argentina on Sunday, while the men meet Argentina on tomorrow and Sunday at UCD.
The Argentina matches will decide what two final names will go on to Ireland coach Paul Revington’s European squad, which currently stands at 16 players, although 18 will make the trip to Monchengladbach.
In essence the 10 reserve players named midweek are competing for two places, with just two matches to impress in.
Ireland fell 1-0 to Spain in last night’s women’s international but can make amends tonight. Of greater concern is the ankle injury suffered by Lizzie Colvin, which has yet to be fully assessed.
Today: Women – Ireland v Spain, UCD, 7.30pm; Saturday: Men – Ireland v Argentina, UCD, 3pm; Sunday: Women – Ireland v Argentina, UCD, noon; Men – Ireland v Argentina, UCD, 3pm.
