Equestrian/Splaine names squad for Dublin show:Team manager Robert Splaine yesterday named his squad of five riders for next month's Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show, which runs at the RDS from August 8th to 12th, writes Grania Willis
Captain Shane Carey, who notched up two speed-class wins at last week's Swedish Nations Cup show in Falsterbo, heads the quintet.
He is joined by his Army colleague Commandant Gerry Flynn, who missed out on the Swedish Cup action last Friday after his mare Mo Chroí took a knock.
Conor Swail, who was also in winning mode over the weekend at the Italian fixture in San Patrignano, makes his debut on the official Dublin squad after a recent run of good form.
Cian O'Connor and Cameron Hanley make up the quintet, from which Splaine will pick his team for the Aga Khan Cup on August 10th.
The RDS will still play host to a leg of the Samsung Super League at next month's show, even though Ireland were dumped out of the top division at the end of last season.
The Irish team get a slot on the Dublin starting grid as hosts but will not be eligible for Super League points.
Despite finishing last of seven nations in the Swedish Cup last Friday, Ireland are still heading the second-division rankings on 69 points, nine clear of their closest rivals, Denmark, in the bid for promotion.
Swimming/Juniors set records:
An unprecedented 10 Irish junior records and one senior record were set by Ireland's swim team at the Junior European Championship in Antwerp, Belgium.
The team, which returns to Ireland today, also had finalists in four events and semi-finalists in 10 events.
Stars of team were 15-year-old twins Eimear and Fiona Doyle (NPC-UL) from Limerick. Eimear set an Irish junior record in the 50m breaststroke, while Fiona set Irish junior records in the 100m freestyle, 200m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.
Fiona's fifth-place finish in the 50m freestyle finals (26.39) is the highest ranking by an Irish swimmer in 10 years.
Hockey/Wales surprise:
Ireland lost to Wales for the first time in 24 years in yesterday's final game of the Celtic Cup, which was the title decider.
Ireland dominated the game, but failed to take any of the many chances that they created.
On 53 minutes a Welsh attack won them a soft penalty corner and Olly Cooper scored with a drag flick to give Wales victory.
Ireland closed the women's event with a 3-0 win over Wales to claim second place in the table.
Ireland opened their account in the fourth minute through midfielder Nikki Symmons, who added a second eight minutes later before Cathy McKean made sure of the points with an excellent third goal.
