Each weekend, we select performances from Irish sports worthy of highlighting. This weekend, we highlight action in Hurling and Horse Racing, Rugby, Athletics, Hockey, Show Jumping and Basketball.
This week’s Champions of the Weekend is brought to us by AIB, one of Sport for Business’s key partners, and partner of our coverage of Gaelic Games.
Cork Hurling
The drama and intensity of a Munster Hurling Final is hard to beat, and Saturday night was no exception when Cork beat Limerick in a penalty shoot-out at the end of 90 minutes plus of action that ebbed and flowed, with brilliance and near misses, scraps and replacement referees. The TUS Gaelic Grounds deserve a mention as well, together with the ticketing that created a checkerboard of red and green fans along the open side of the ground.
Kildare Hurling
The intensity might not have been quite as strong, and the quality maybe a notch under the Kilkenny win in the Leinster Hurling Final, but Kildare’s victory in the Joe McDonagh Cup Final and promotion to Senior Championship hurling next season was one to celebrate.
Aidan O’Brien
Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s wins in the Epsom Derby, the Epsom Oaks and the Coronation Cup over Friday and Saturday are one of the most dominant weekends of racing achievement in history. Minnie Hauk on Friday and Lambourn on Saturday were his 11th wins in the Oaks and the Derby. The next in line in the history books is English trainer Sir Michael Stoute.
Sarah Healy
Sarah Healy’s win in the 1,500 metres at the Diamond Athletics meet in Rome on Friday night was only the third by an Irish athlete in the history of this top-end circuit of the best athletes in the world.
Leinster Rugby
Having lost their last three semi-finals in the URC, Leinster got over the line against Glasgow to set up a Grand Final against the Bulls next weekend at Croke Park.
Irish Women’s Hockey
Debutant Niamh Gowing scored to set up a draw for Ireland against the United States in the first of a two-game series in North Caroline on Saturday.
Irish Show Jumpers
Another weekend and another win on the world stage for Team Ireland, bridging a 14 year gap to the last win at the prestigious five-star Nations Cup at La Baule.
Irish Basketball
Ireland’s 3×3 men’s basketball team have made history – qualifying for the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup for the first time. They secured their spot at the finals – which take place in Copenhagen in September – defeating Cyprus 21-19 to win a two-day qualifying event in Kosovo. Ireland had previously beaten Albania and the hosts on Sunday to make the final.
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SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Being at your best on the biggest stages is the essence of elite sport, and we will always be watching out for and celebrating Irish sporting achievements of this kind.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The US Open Golf and the URC Final at Croke Park are among the star attractions of next weekend.
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