THE legendary Michael Johnson telephoned the organisers of the BUPA Cork City Sports during the week in a bid to get one of his proteges, Darold Williamson, into their July 1 showpiece at The Mardyke.

WHILE Emma Murphy flies the flag for Ireland in the women’s individual championships and fellow Corkwoman Elsa O’Riain carries a fourth seeding into the doubles alongside Australia’s Melissa Anderson, Limerick’s Conor Niland is perfectly poised for a tilt at the NCAA men’s singles championship this week.