Sport

SPORTS SHORTS

Ice Hockey

Belfast Giants slumped to two defeats at the hands of the Cardiff Devils over the weekend and dropped to fifth place in the Elite League standings, writes Nigel Ringland.

The Giants iced only 14 skaters for the two games because of injuries but can't use that as an excuse.

They found themselves trailing 2-0 early on last night with Joey Haddad and Brent Walton getting the Devils goals before Mike Kompon put the Giants on the board.

Joey Martin made it 3-1 but a frantic first period came to an end with Adam Keefe making it a one-goal game. Defenceman Jeff Mason tied things at 3-3 with the only strike of the middle session but the Devils finished the game stronger with Matt Myers and Andrew Lord netting the goals that sent the Giants to a 5-3 defeat.

The Devils won Saturday night's encounter 4-1.

The only goal of the first period went the way of the Devils when Jake Morissette scored.

The home team doubled their advantage when Martin beat Giants netminder Carsen Chubak 2-0.

Colin Shield notched his seventh goal of the season to bring it back to 2-1, but Matt Myers scored twice late on to seal the victory for the Devils.

Motorcycling

Voting is underway for the Adelaide Irish Motorcyclist of the Year and the winner will be presented with the Joey Dunlop Trophy at the awards night in on Friday, January 23, writes

Willis Marshall.

There are 22 competitors from various disciplines of the sport nominated and the winner will be decided by a special online public vote at www.adelaidemotorbikeawards.com.

Amongst the favourites this year will be Michael Dunlop after a sensational season on the roads when he became the first rider to win four Isle of Man TT races in successive years. Jonathan Rea also had a memorable year, clinching third position in the World Superbike Championship, while Alastair Seeley was runner-up in the British Supersport Championship and also scored a double on the Thursday evening of the North West 200. Anyone wishing to purchase tickets for the awards can email tickets@ adelaidemotorcycleawards.com or phone 07584058810.

The full list of nominees is: Richard Bird, Michael Burton, Michael Dunlop, William Dunlop, Stuart Edmonds, Jamie Hamilton, Glenn Irwin, Graeme Irwin, Lee Johnston, Natalie Kane, Jack Kennedy, Eugene Laverty, Michael Laverty, Derek McGee, Mark McLernon, Richard McNeill, Cody Nally, Marty Nutt, Carl Phillips, Jonathan Rea, Andy Reid, Alastair Seeley

Basketball

Belfast Star went out of the National Cups at both men's and U18 levels in Dublin on Saturday, writes

Tony McGee.

Swords over-turned the 10-point advantage Star held from the first leg in Belfast, while St Vincent's slammed Star at teenage level. Swords won the second leg by 12, running out 74-62 victors, to edge the quarter-final battle by just two points. November player of the month

Ricky Taylor did manage to net 29 points, but he was the only Star player in double figures with Michael McKillop on nine.

Swords had four players in double figures. Americans Spencer Mitchell and Isaac Westbrooks netted 16, Michael Goj added 15 and Spaniard Juan Torres made 10.

Star U18s fell heavily to a strong St Vincent's side who emerged victorious by 86-50.