Kelly fails final test in US event

Athletics: Keith Kelly finished a disappointing seventh over 10,000 metres in the American NCAA Collegiate championships, which…

Athletics: Keith Kelly finished a disappointing seventh over 10,000 metres in the American NCAA Collegiate championships, which began on Wednesday at the University of Oregon, writes Ian O'Riordan.

In the first track final of the four-day competition, Kelly failed to go with the early pace despite being the pre-race favourite and finished more than one minute outside his best when clocking 29 minutes 51.75 seconds.

The Drogheda athlete, who runs with Providence College, was clearly below his best form. Victory went to Ryan Shay from Notre Dame, who finished in 29:05.44.

Boxing: Hasim Rahman will defend his world heavyweight titles in China against Nigerian David Izon, not against Denmark's Brian Neilsen, promoter Don King said yesterday.

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Women's Hockey: Pegasus made a winning start to their B division European club championship campaign in Prague yesterday by defeating Polish team BKS Start Brzeziny 1-0. Nadine Nicholl broke the deadlock in the 38th minute.

Men's Hockey: A full-strength Glenanne squad, writes Dermot Ashmore, has no illusions about the depth of talent they face in making their debut in the European Club championship (A division) in Bloemendaal, Holland, starting today at noon, against the illustrious German side Harvesthuder. Tomorrow, the Dubliners face England's representatives Cannock, followed on Sunday by their final Pool A game involving Grunwald of Poland.

Coach Noel Keogh knows the realistic target is to win the playoff match on Monday, against Lille of France or Western of Scotland from Pool B.

Sailing: Irish Olympian Maria Coleman received a boost to her Athens 2004 prospects last night with the news the single-hander had moved up to second overall in the Europe class world rankings.