Snooker: O'Brien's Crucible hopes shattered
SNOOKER: Fergal O'Brien's attempt to return to the Crucible ended in disappointment when he was beaten 10-5 by England's Jamie Cope in the final qualifying round of the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield last night.
Having breathed new life into his career by reaching the final of this season's Northern Ireland Trophy, O'Brien had high hopes of competing at snooker's most famous venue for the ninth time.
Instead, those ambitions were crushed by a faltering start as Cope, known as 'The Shotgun' for his fast potting style of play, forged into a 7-2 lead entering the decisive session.
Ever-stubborn, O'Brien rallied to 8-5 but his fightback then stalled as a delighted Cope booked his Crucible debut without further alarm.
Jimmy White will not play in this year's World Championship either after falling victim to Mark King 10-3.
Higgins key to Castlerea glory
BASKETBALL: Jennifer Higgins turned in the performance of the afternoon on day one of the All Ireland Schools league finals in Tallaght as Castlerea beat Castletroy by a single basket to capture the U-16 B girls final.
Higgins shot 41 for her team but Castletroy inspired by Michelle Quigley ran their opponents desperately close only to lose possession in the final play of the game.
In the U-19 C girls affair, St Mary's Arklow produced a late rally but late baskets from Katie McMullen, Heather Murphy and Linda Dempsey were not enough to deny a Ballincollig team led by MVP Aoife Hickey.
St Conleth's, meanwhile, added the U-16 B league title to the cup they won in January with Peter Herron and Liam Purcell both scoring heavily in their 47-44 win over Presentation Bray.
And in the final game of the day, Paddy Young led the scoring for De La Churchtown hand his team a 49-35 win over cup champions, Heywood CS.
Steegmans in sprint finish win
CYCLING: Belgian Gert Steegmans, racing for the Quick Step team, won a sprint finish for the first stage of the Paris-Nice race.
Prologue winner Thor Hushovd of Norway holds onto the overall leader's yellow jersey after a stage which was cut in half because of rainy and windy conditions.
Sprinting up a steep finish 27-year-old Steegmans, winner of a stage of last year's Tour de France in Ghent, crossed two seconds ahead of a small group which included most of the favourites.
