D Monday, January 25, 2010 SPORT 21 GOLF Kaymer so keen on a Cup place New world No.6 Martin Kaymer hopes his second Abu Dhabi Golf Championship title will be the catalyst to a Ryder Cup debut at Celtic Manor later this year. After winning his maiden title in Abu Dhabi in 2008, the 24-year-old German needed every ounce of experience to edge out Ian Poulter by a single stroke yesterday, with Rory McIlroy finishing third on his 2010 debut. Overnight leader Kaymer, who finished second last year, birdied the final hole to card a bogey-free, six-under-par 66. englishman Poulter produced a valiant effort to play his part in a thrilling duel as he matched Kaymers final round but that was not enough to erase the one-shot overnight deficit. Kaymer, 25, said: My goal for every year is to win two tournaments on the european Tour. I did it in 2008 and 2009 and I hope I can do it this year. But my main goal is to play the Ryder Cup this year because when I went there two years ago I really felt I want to be there one day. McIlroy, who drops to 11th in the world rankings, said: Its a great way to start the season in the last group and going down the last one behind and getting the juices flowing again. It was a nice feeling and hopefully that will set the tone for the rest of the season. Irish Open champion Shane Lowry posted his best finish on the european Tour since turning professional with his bogey-free 67 securing fourth at 17 under. Abu Dhabi victory: Kaymer Ospreys await their fate after 16th man controversy OSPReyS look likely to be hit with a fine for briefly fielding 16 players in their Heineken Cup victory over Leicester. The eRC will investigate Saturdays second-half events at the Liberty Stadium after Tigers chiefs lodged an official complaint. Leicester crashed out as a result of their 17-12 defeat, with the Ospreys and Clermont Auvergne securing quarter- final places from Pool Three. Competition rules suggest the match result must stand, yet Ospreys face an anxious wait to discover what punishment, if any, eRC impose. Leicester claim Lee Byrne helped thwart an attack while he was the extra man. After going off with a dislocated and bloodied toe and being replaced by Sonny Parker, Byrne returned but it was nearly a minute before Dan Biggar departed as the Ospreys held on desperately. Dubs blow whistle as Meath get replay Dublins failure to fully comprehend the GAAs new experimental rules cost them a place in the Obyrne Cup semi- finals. The sky blues were held to a dramatic 2-15 to 1-18 draw by old rivals Meath who, typically, fought back from four down in extra-time. in fact, Meath were ahead at the death but Dublin substitute Colin Daly kicked a 91st-minute equaliser to ensure a replay in navan on Wednesday night. but if Dublin had used their heads they could have won it in normal time. Referee Eddie Kinsella added on four minutes of injury time but, in line with new regulations, could not blow for full-time until the ball went out of play. Dublin, and bernard brogan in particular, had several chances to put the ball out but did not and Meath forced extra-time with a 76th-minute niall Mooney equaliser that made it 0-14 to 1-11. Kevin McManamon hit his and the second goal in extra-time as the hosts led 2-13 to 0-15 at half- time. but an 83rd-minute Joe sheridan goal begun a Meath fightback that saw them nearly snatch victory. Elsewhere, DCu and louth are through to the last four after wins yesterday. Kildare will be without captain John Doyle for the start of the National League after he was one of seven players dismissed in their 0-11 to 0-8 win over Laois. Doyle and four others Kildares Morgan OFlaherty and Laois trio Peter OLeary, Billy Sheehan and Kevin Meaney all face four- week bans at least after a 30th-minute mele (pictured) GAA RUGBY HEINEKEN CUP quArter-FiNALS Munster v Northampton Biarritz v Ospreys Toulouse v Stade Francais Leinster v Clermont Auvergne Ties to be played on April 9/10 SeMi-FiNALS Biarritz/Ospreys v Munster/Nthampton Toulouse/S Francais v Leinster/Clermont THE KNOCKOUT STAGES Home tie a fine return for Cheika lEinsTER coach Michael Cheika was full of praise for his side after they defeated the odds to qualify for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals yes- terday. Reaching the knockout stages looked a long way off when the de- fending champions lost their opening game at home to london irish, but four wins, coupled with saturdays dramatic 11-11 draw against the Ex- iles at Twickenham, saw leinster not only top Pool six but also earn a home quarter-final against Clermont. After Jonathan sexton traded penal- ties with irish fly-half Chris Malone, leinster went into the break 8-3 ahead thanks to isa nacewas 38th-minute try. but Malones try and second pen- alty of the game put the hosts in the driving seat until, in the 78th minute, sexton landed a long-range drop-goal that clinched a draw and earned lein- ster two priceless points. After losing that first game to lon- don irish, maybe we had to reset our goals, said leinster coach Cheika. but we hung in there, and the way its worked out we have managed to get a home draw. its a positive finish to the pool campaign. Cheika lauded his sides defensive display against their English oppo- nents. its something we pride our- selves on, he said. We know its a way to exact pressure and maybe we can get tries out of that defence. They were a pretty attacking team and we had to be aware of the threats they bring. We didnt get broken too often and in games like this, its great to have confidence in your defence. By Gareth Makim At the centre of things: Leinsters Gordon DArcy claimed the man- of-the-match award at twickenham on Saturday Picture: Sportsfile TENNIS Murray finds top formHenin rolls into last eight AnDy MuRRAy produced a near-flawless straight-sets victory against John isner to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time. The 22-year-old fifth seed set up a last-eight showdown with defending champion Rafael nadal tomorrow after beating the 6ft 9in American 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-2. nadal beat ivo Karlovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the last eight. Elsewhere, Andy Roddick will play Marin Cilic after the Croat shocked us Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro in five sets. JuSTINe HeNIN reached the womens quarter-finals at the Australian less than a month into her return from retirement, beating fellow Belgian yanina wickmayer 7-6 (7-4), 1-6, 6-3. The former world No.1 faces Nadia Petrova, who beat the sports other comeback queen Kim Clijsters in round three, in the last eight. But second seed Dinara Safina made a tearful exit after a back injury forced her to withdraw from her match against Maria Kirilenko. Murray Picture: Sportsfile index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html