Sarah Lavin runs new season's best to finish third behind Amusan in Ostrava
The Limerick hurdler, who started to ramp up her outdoor season in Finland last week, clocked a time of 12.76 in the 100m hurdles — comfortably bettering her previous best of 12.90.
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World record holder Tobi Amusan won comfortably in 12.45 seconds, with Viktoria Forster of Slovakia outpacing Lavin in the final strides to edge second place in 12.74.

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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Defeat for Effin as Nickie Quaid lines out against Croagh Kilfinny in Limerick PIHC
Limerick PIHC: Croagh Kilfinny 1-21 Effin 0-16 There was a return to outfield action for Limerick hurling goalkeeper, Nickie Quaid, on Thursday evening. However, the three-time All-Star was on the losing side against Limerick Premier Intermediate newcomers, Croagh Kilfinny. The 36-year-old suffered a career threatening cruciate knee ligament injury playing recreational soccer last winter before returning to play in five of the six Championship games for Limerick. Fears over his future both in goals and outfield have now been eased. He played at centre-half and showed some nice touches in a game that was played at the Limerick training ground, Mick Neville Park, in Rathkeale. Despite two well taken long-range points, the five-time All-Ireland winner was left frustrated as Croagh Kilfinny galloped to the finish with late scores. Crucial to their cause was 1-12 from Man of the Match, Cian O'Carroll. He netted the only goal of the contest with a 53th minute penalty, after being fouled by Effin keeper Ryan O'Neill. Limerick panellist Patrick O'Donovan was key to the Effin cause, as they look to go better than a trio of semi-final defeats at the grade. Effin led 0-9 to 0-8 at the interval after a sedate opening half, with the sides level six times. A late point from Brian Clifford the difference. 2007 Young Hurler of the Year, Seamus Hickey, showed no signs of slowing down as he notched 0-4 including a couple of late efforts to swell out the winning margin. Hickey, O'Carroll and the energetic Adam Shanagher were key to the Croagh Kilfinny charge, who were playing a first ever game at the grade. Once O'Carroll blasted home the penalty, they were three clear, and never looked back. He soon cut over a line ball before Hickey joined him with late scores to give them a comfortable closing few minutes. This grade sees teams 13-20 in Limerick battle for a place at senior. It is the first game of the 2025 hurling championships on Shannonside, with a full round of games across all the grades next weekend. The Premier Intermediate grade continues on Friday with Granagh Ballingarry meeting Glenroe. Garryspillane versus South Liberties and Blackrock versus Bruff take place over the weekend.


Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
All-Irish world title fight confirmed for Windsor Park in Belfast
Limerick 's Paddy Donovan and Belfast's Lewis Crocker will fight for the IBF welterweight title in a bout being billed as the first all-Irish world title fight. The bout is set for September 13th in Windsor Park, Belfast . It will be a rematch of their fight in March, when Donovan was disqualified for flooring Crocker with a punch after the bell sounded in the eighth round. The winner will join Katie Taylor as the only other Irish world champion in professional boxing . In a social media post announcing the fight, Donovan said: 'I'm looking to repeat another stellar boxing performance, set the record straight and come home with a world title.' READ MORE Meanwhile, Crocker said he wanted to 'silence the doubters' who did not accept the outcome of their clash in March. In their first encounter, the 26-year-old Donovan (14-1, 11KOs) appeared to be winning more of the rounds and was gathering momentum over Crocker (21-0, 11KOs) as the fight wore on. However, the pair continually clashed heads, partly due to the orthodox-southpaw matchup. Donovan was docked two points by referee Marcus McDonnell for headbutting, with Crocker's face wearing most of the damage. With 20 second left in the eighth round, Donovan knocked down Crocker with a left uppercut, but he beat the count and the fight resumed. With the crowd at fever pitch, the bell rang for the end of the session, but Donovan appeared not to hear it and knocked his foe down with a right hook. The referee was standing a few paces away when the bell went and disqualified Donovan for the late hit. While the victorious Crocker received oxygen in his corner, Donovan was furious and broke down in tears across the ring. With the win, Crocker (28) became the mandatory challenger for the IBF welterweight title, which champion Jaron Ennis vacated in June, meaning the belt is up for grabs this time around. Donovan, nicknamed Real Deal, is coached by former world champion Andy Lee, who has proved to be an excellent trainer in guiding Joseph Parker back to the brink of a heavyweight world title fight. A win for the Limerick pair would make Donovan the first world champion coached by Lee, who trains world class fighters out of Ballybrack Boxing Club. Promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, the fight will be broadcast on streaming service DAZN.

The 42
a day ago
- The 42
Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan to meet again in historic all-Irish world-title fight
LEWIS CROCKER AND Paddy Donovan will square off in the first all-Irish world-title fight in boxing history at Windsor Park, Belfast, on Saturday 13 September. Hometown hero Crocker and Limerick talent Donovan will compete for the vacant IBF welterweight world title in a rematch of their controversial bout at Belfast's SSE Arena in March, in which Crocker was awarded victory by disqualification after Donovan knocked him down after the bell. Matchroom Boxing, who promote both 147-pounders, have officially announced the sequel for Windsor Park, the 18,500-capacity home of Northern Irish football. The outdoor stadium last hosted boxing when Irish boxing great Carl Frampton stopped Australia's Luke Jackson in a non-title bout seven years ago. Crocker v Donovan II will be broadcast live on DAZN. 'This is the fight I've wanted since the final bell of the first one,' said the 28-year-old Crocker. 'To run it back for the IBF world title — and to do it such an iconic stadium in Belfast, in front of my own people — is something I've dreamed of my whole life. This isn't just a rematch. It's my chance to silence the doubters and prove I'm the best welterweight in the world. 'I know exactly what I need to do and on fight night, I'm leaving with that world title.' Advertisement Crocker attacks Donovan's body. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO That the bout is being staged at Windsor Park is additionally significant for Crocker in that he grew up near the stadium and is a lifelong fan of Linfield FC, who play their home games at the ground. Crocker was a special guest of Linfield's for their all-Irish Champions League qualifier second leg against League of Ireland champions Shelbourne at the stadium last week. But the Andy Lee-trained Donovan, 26, will hardly be daunted by facing Crocker on away soil once more, having broadly outclassed him at Belfast's SSE Arena in March before suffering his first career defeat via disqualification. 'It's going to be a great atmosphere in Belfast on fight night,' Donovan said. I'm looking to repeat another stellar boxing performance, set the record straight, and come home with a world title. I can't wait. Donovan smiles at Crocker while launching an attack. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO Promoter Eddie Hearn described the 13 September meeting between 'The Croc' [21-0, 11KOs] and 'The Real Deal' [14-1, 11KOs] as 'absolutely huge – the first ever all-Irish world-title fight'. The Matchroom chairman added: 'The first meeting between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan had it all: an electric build-up, guts, knockdowns and a hugely controversial ending. That drama-filled night in March has set the rematch up perfectly, and 13 September promises to be even bigger and better. 'We expect a sell-out crowd at Windsor Park in Belfast and one of the best atmospheres you've ever witnessed in Irish boxing. You do not want to miss this one. 'The first boxing event at Windsor Park since Irish icon Carl Frampton headlined here back in 2018, and the main event couldn't be more fitting: two of the best welterweights in the world battling it out for the IBF world title.' Crocker and Donovan posing after their original bout ended in a DQ victory for the Belfast man. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo In over a century and a half of professional boxing under the Queensberry rules, no two Irish-born fighters have ever fought each other for a world-title belt in any weight class. September's encounter will see either Crocker or Donovan join Katie Taylor as one of only two reigning Irish world champions, although Belfast's world-class super-featherweight Anthony Cacace is effectively in that same company having vacated his IBF title to avoid a mandatory challenge and instead take more lucrative fights with British rivals, which he has won. Crocker and Donovan's original bout at Belfast's SSE Arena was, in its own right, one the most significant to take place between two Irish boxers in the modern era. In what was a final eliminator for Boots Ennis' IBF title (Ennis has since vacated the belt and moved up in weight), Donovan and trainer Andy Lee were left furious when the previously unbeaten Limerick man was disqualified for knocking down Belfast's Crocker after the bell had sounded to end the eighth round. Donovan had already been harshly deducted two points for head clashes by English referee Marcus McDonnell, who deemed his third punishable foul to be worthy of a DQ. Donovan was left distraught after his controversial first career defeat. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo To that point, Donovan had dominated a compelling contest against his rival from the north, earning a legitimate knockdown of Crocker and leading the Belfast man 69-63 x2 and 67-65 on the three judges' scorecards before being disqualified for his illegal blow. While there is no real bad blood between the boxers, who are each popular among their peers across the island, Monday's afternoon's press conference in Belfast is bound to produce fireworks given the controversy that overshadowed the result of their original bout.