SPORTS DIGEST/ATHLETICS: The track and field programme got underway yesterday at the World University Games in Turkey, and it was a successful start for the Irish.
Derval O'Rourke was second in her semi-final of the 100 metre hurdles after winning her morning heat. This comfortably qualified the UCD student for today's final as third fastest qualifer with a time of 13.09 seconds.
Ailis McSweeney and Anna Boyle also powered through both qualifying rounds of the 100 metres to book places in the semi-finals.
McSweeney won her heat in 11.64 seconds. Immediately afterwards Tomas Coman won his heat of the 400 metres in 47.50 seconds.
In the women's equivalent Joanne Cuddihy took fourth to ensure she competes in the semi-final today.
European 400 metre Indoor champion David Gillick had to withdraw from the event when his his Achilles injury flared up during his warm-up.
TENNIS: James McGee, one of the most talented underage players in the land, was a notable absentee when the opening shots in the Danone Irish Open were fired at the Fitzwilliam club yesterday, writes Pat Roche.
A wrist injury sustained in a Spanish training camp has ruled out the Castleknock player, making life easier for under-18 top seed Paul Fitzgerald of Cork.
Fitzgerald was given a bye into today's second round where he faces Daniel Tubridy, an easy winner in the opening round.
Andrea Maughan heads the senior girls seeds, with Leigh Walsh at two and Limerick's Fiona Gallagher at three.
MOTOR SPORT: Williams will use Cosworth engines next season in a complete break with current partners BMW.
The team and engine maker said in a joint statement that the move aimed "to put British excellence at the front of the Formula One grid next season".
However, it also returns the former champions to a minority of teams without manufacturer backing, a situation last experienced by Williams in 1999 when they had Renault-based Supertec engines.
The announcement had been expected after BMW, who had offered to continue providing engines, decided to take over Swiss-based Sauber from 2006.
"The scope of the collaboration includes not just the engine as an isolated element of the race car but extends to a complete programme of design and development," the statement said.
Cosworth were owned by Ford until last November when the Northampton-based company was sold to US-based ChampCar co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe.
BOXING: Irish light heavyweight Ken Egan is targeting more silverware at the Senior World Class tournament which begins in Makhachkala, Russia, on September 26th.
Egan, who landed gold at the EU Championships in Italy in June, has been named on a two-man Irish team along with St Saviour's Darren Sutherland (75kg).
Meanwhile, the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) have announced a five-man squad for the European Schoolboy tournament in Russia, which begins on August 28th.
David J Joyce (St Michael's, Athy, 48kg); Darragh Power (Dungarvan, 52kg); David Joyce (Delgan, 56kg); Bernard Roe (Docklands, 59kg); Tom McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett's, (68kg) will be in the ring in Tver.
SWIMMING: Although four months have elapsed since Australian coach Barry Prime turned down the position, Swim Ireland's CEO Sarah Keane yesterday confirmed the post had not gone off the agenda, reports Pat Roche.
"Filling the position is our main priority," said Keane. "The process has gained momentum with the backing and support of all sections of the association."
She said that competitors return to serious training next month and Swim Ireland, in association with the Irish Sports Council, is confident their efforts will result "in an appointment sooner rather than later".
