SHOW JUMPING: Jessica Kürten kept her cool to win the British Open title in Birmingham yesterday, but she was pushed all the way by compatriot Billy Twomey, who had to settle for the runner-up spot at the finish, writes Grania Willis. Kürten had held the advantage after winning on Friday, but Twomey was also well in the frame and, with a double clear yesterday, the Cork rider piled the pressure onto Kürten's shoulders. But the world number 10 held her nerve in the final decider and, despite a fence down with Jipey Dark, went on to win by just 1.5 of a point, picking up £25,250 in the process.
Another Jessica who kept the Irish flag flying proudly was young Jessica Burke, who was the brightest star at the French pony international in Fontainebleau when notching up two of the four Irish victories and finishing the show as leading rider. The 15-year-old, who hails from Gort, brought out Bain Ailainn to claim Saturday's feature Grand Prix by just over a quarter of a second from fellow Galwegian Paddy McDonagh and went on to take Sunday morning's six-year-old championship with European Clover.
Burke led by example when producing the only double clear in yesterday afternoon's Nations Cup, but none of her team-mates could follow suit and, with a finishing total of 32 faults, the Irish slid to a disappointing equal third behind the Dutch and the Germans. ... Details in Sports Round-up
ROWING: Commercial's men and UCD's women picked up the big prizes at the weekend regattas at Islandbridge in Dublin, writes Liam Gorman. Neptune's well-attended regatta on Saturday was notable for the presence - on the bank - of a host of internationals, taking down time after completing their ergometer tests as part of their international programme.
Cathal Moynihan, who did well in those tests, stroked the host club in the final of the men's senior eight, but they were led home by Commercial, who also picked up eights' wins through their masters crew and their promising intermediate outfit.
The picture in the fours' finals was much more mixed: Belfast A and B reached the final of the senior coxed four, with the A crew winning by one and a half lengths. The environs of UCD boathouse then became a little bit of Ulster, as the oarsmen became fans to cheer the final stages of the best race of the day - a stirring contest in the novice four in which Belfast beat Queen's University by one foot.
Garda's big intermediate four mastered Commercial in their final, winning by one and a quarter lengths. Garda College bit the dust with their two crews, but the day was notable as it was the first time this new entity had entered a regatta.
There was a battle of the Gannon sisters in the women's senior eights final - Sarah was in the number three seat of the powerful UCD crew which beat Neptune, who had Laura in the number five seat. UCD are far and away the best senior eight crew in the country. At yesterday's Commercial regatta, the top women's final consisted of the UCD's senior eight taking on and beating the intermediate crew from the same club. ... Details in Sports Round-up
CYCLING: Stuart O'Grady (CSC) made history yesterday when he became the first Australian rider to win the coveted Paris-Roubaix Classic. He went away as part of a large breakaway group a massive 240 kilometres from the end of the race, then struck out alone with just over 20 kilometres remaining, hitting the line 52 seconds ahead of Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) and Steffen Wesemann (Team Wiesenhof Felt). It was the first win by a native English speaker since Sean Kelly took the second of his victories in 1986.
At home, Scott McDonald (MyHome.ie/Dunboyne CC) continued his strong form this season when he won the Joey Whyte Memorial Cup in Stamullen. He outsprinted Paul Healion (Murphy and Gunn/M. Donnelly) and Peter Hawkins (Usher IRC) at the end of the 72 mile event. ... Details in Sports Round-up
MEN'S HOCKEY: Two first half goals from Phillip Smith were enough to put Cork C of I in the driving seat in the Munster Senior Cup final. After a cagey opening, the match burst into life with three goals in four minutes prior to half-time. Smith's reverse shot opened the scoring but Harlequins equalised straightaway; David Egner scooping home a penalty corner rebound. But Smith once again was the man to latch onto Jason Lynch's deft reverse-stick cross to regain the lead. Harlequins were stung when John Jermyn fired C of I's first short corner into the roof of the net. Quins could only muster a Dave Eakins drag flick two minutes from time in response.
Leinster's final entrant for the All-Ireland Club Championship was decided after Three Rock Rovers lost for the second time in three days, relinquishing third position to Monkstown. After Thursday's defeat to Pembroke, Rovers were comprehensively outplayed by Fingal, losing 8-3. David Bane once again was tormentor in chief, grabbing a hat-trick. Monkstown's loss to Glenanne proved immaterial after they won their back match against Trinity to go ahead of Rovers. Pembroke and Glenanne will be Leinster's other participants. At the bottom, Bray kept their top-flight status, demolishing bottom-placed Trinity to force Railway Union into the playoff match against UCD. Kilkenny's wish to stay in division two could complicate this issue, though as the club looks set to refuse promotion. ... Details in Sports Round-up
MOTOR SPORT: Richard Lyons gave A1 GP Ireland a long overdue boost with a strong drive into fifth place in the A1 Grand Prix feature race at Shanghai yesterday. Lyons only finished 12th in the sprint race, but got it all together with some great overtaking and defensive manoeuvres in the main race to boost Ireland's points from just two to eight points and climb to 18th in the overall standings.
