New home for Nally Stand
The Nally Stand, a distinctive feature of Croke Park's old stadium, was officially opened and re-dedicated -- more than 100 miles from its spiritual home on Jones's Road.
Dismantled piece by piece, the structure was transported to Tyrone, where it has been re-erected in minute replicated detail at Pairc Colmcille, home of Carrickmore GAC.
The preservation and rebirth of a historic Irish landmark was described as a wonderful achievement in recording history by former GAA president Sean Kelly, who officiated at the opening ceremony.
"The people of Carrickmore have shown great foresight, but also great generosity and courage to take on the responsibility of getting the stand up from Croke Park and erecting it here," he said.
"This is the only stand to have survived, and it makes it even more important."
Hamilton pips rival for pole
FORMULA ONE: Britain's Lewis Hamilton pipped title rival Fernando Alonso to pole position for today's Japanese Grand Prix.
Hamilton left it late in wet and misty conditions at Fuji Speedway to edge past McLaren team-mate Alonso with a lap of one minute 25.368 seconds.
A win would boost Hamilton's title hopes as he leads the two-time world champion by only two points with three races left.
Kimi Raikkonen's slim chances were hit by his third place, while Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa came in fourth.
Caulfield ends Irish career
HOCKEY: Irish captain, Linda Caulfield yesterday retired from international hockey after amassing 151 caps and wearing the green shirt for nine years.
"It's very difficult to commit to the training schedule along with the demands of work. I have reached a point where I can no longer manage to do both at 100 per cent, so unfortunately something has to give," she said.
Caulfield broke into her first international squad at the age of 14, playing for the Irish U16s before representing Ireland at U18, U21 and finally senior level.
When Irish skipper Lindsey McVicker retired in 2005, Caufield was the obvious choice to step up and take over the captaincy. for her country. Since then, she has led Ireland through numerous internationals and earned her 150th cap against Ukraine at last month's EuroHockey Nations Championship.
"Although I am finished with international hockey now, I have memories and moments that will last a life time," she added.
DCU Mercy
off to a flyer
BASKETBALL: DCU Mercy began the defence of their Women's Superleague crown with an emphatic win (77-28) over Tolka Rovers in Tallaght yesterday.
Last year's beaten finalist's UL meanwhile overcame Wildcats with Fiona Scally despite having four fouls against her registering 12 points in the final quarter to run out 71-57 winners.
The surprise of the day came with Meteors 60-57 win over Dart Killester. The four-game programme was completed by cup champions, Glanmire, who defeated Tolka Rovers (85-30) with Jennifer Strong top scoring on 19 points.
Kilkenny book place in final
CAMOGIE: Some early groundwork by Kilkenny ensured they advanced to the final of the Minor A Camogie championship, following a very competitive semi-final at Commercials, Rathcoole yesterday.
The Cats led by 4-1 to 0-4 at half-time and although the Ulster girls fought back, the winners did enough to book their place in next week's decider against Cork.
Michelle Quilty (two), Sinead Long and Katie Power (one each) provided the goals for Kilkenny before the break.
Antrim found the net on the restart thanks to Louise McKeown before Emma McMullen hit two goals late on. But too many early wides ultimately cost them the game.
Experimental Irish side lose
SOCCER: The quality of France shone through as they defeated an experimental Irish girl's under-17 team yesterday afternoon at the Oscar Traynor Road Development Centre in Dublin.
The visitors opened the scoring after a half and hour through Marie Augis before a second-half brace from substitute Marina Makanza killed the game off.
Ireland coach Sharon Boyle said after the game:
"We must remember that France are one of the top countries in the World and our team was missing four of our best players."
US sweep foursomes
GOLF: The United States swept yesterday morning's foursomes to open a commanding seven-point lead at the Presidents Cup.
The Americans won all five matches to go ahead 12-5. Phil Mickelson and Woody Austin whipped Retief Goosen and Stuart Appleby 5 and 4 before Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk beat Ernie Els and Adam Scott 4 and 3.
Steve Stricker and Hunter Mahan outlasted Rory Sabbatini and Trevor Immelman 2-up and Lucas Glover and Scott Verplank beat Mike Weir and Vijay Singh 2 and 1 and Zach Johnson and David Toms then prevailed by the same margin against Geoff Ogilvy and Nick O'Hern.
The event finishes with 12 singles matches today.
Becker closes in on first title
TENNIS: Unseeded German Benjamin Becker yesterday stunned third-seed Tomas Berdych 3-6 6-4 6-4 to reach his first ATP final at the Thailand Open.
He will meet sixth-seed Dmitry Tursunov in the final after he overcame Spain's Fernando Verdasco 7-6 4-6 6-4.
