ROWING: Ireland's four crews will be split evenly between A and B finals at the World Cup regatta in Munich today, after two wins and two fourth places in yesterday's semi-finals, writes Liam Gorman.
Lightweight single sculler Sam Lynch and the lightweight pair of Gearóid Towey and Tony O'Connor had their expected wins, but the lightweight four and lightweight double missed out on an A final place by finishing outside the top three in their races.
National coach Hamish Burrell was particularly disappointed for the four, who led at 1,200 metres but could not hold out.
The aim now would be for both these crews to target a win in their B finals, putting them seventh overall at this high quality regatta.
Details (Irish interest): Semi-finals: Lightweight men's four: 4 Ireland 6:23.94. Lightweight men's pair: 1, Ireland 6:42.81. Lightweight men's double: 4, Ireland 6:50.51. Lightweight men's single: 1, Ireland 6:42.81.
RUGBY: Eddie Halvey is to rejoin Munster from London Irish The former Irish international back row forward has signed a contract with Munster that will effectively see him finishing his career there. London Irish agreed to Halvey's early release from the final season of his contract.
Munster team manager Jerry Holland said: " Eddie is a quality player. He is well known to Munster supporters and I'm sure they will join with me in welcoming him back into the Munster squad."
CYCLING: Mark Scanlon's high hopes of securing a medal in the time-trial at the European under-23 championships evaporated yesterday when the Sligoman experienced mechanical problems in the closing stages of the test.
The 21-year-old had ridden exceptionally well during the trial, placing in the top three in the midway time-check. However with 12 km remaining his handlebars snapped and he was forced to change to a spare bike. He eventually finished 25th, 1.5 minutes behind Swedish gold medallist Jonas Olsson.
The disappointment echoes last year's performance, when Scanlon was among the three quickest for most of the time-trial yet he finished 10th due to cramps. He has set his sights on a good performance in tomorrow's road race. Denis Lynch performed below expectations finishing in 50th place.
Elsewhere, Ireland's cross-country mountainbike squad will be hoping to ride well today in their European championship races in Zurich, while David McCann leads the Northern Ireland team in today's Commonwealth Games road race.
European Under 23 Championship time trial, Italy: 1, Jonas Olsson (Sweden) 31 .8 kilometres in 39 mins 10 secs; 2, A. Bespalow (Russia) at 14 secs; 3, Jure Zrimsek (Slovakia) at 26 secs. Other: 25, M. Scanlon (Ireland); 50, D. Lynch (Ireland)
