SPORTS DIGEST:SOCCER: West Bromwich Albion midfielder Steven Reid will consider a return to international football if he gets the call from Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
In a programme to be aired on Setanta Ireland tonight, the 29-year-old says he remains open to the idea of a recall.
"I have made the decision, but I am not ruling it out for the future," he told Goalmouth(11pm).
“I haven’t spoken to the manager since I made the decision, but if there was a desperate need, and a few injuries, then who knows. But until I get the phone call . . .”
After securing just one point from a possible six against Russia and Slovakia Trapattoni suggested he may shake the squad up a little for the friendly against Norway on November 17th. Reid’s comments are likely to be welcomed by the manager.
Russian look set to join the F1 circus
MOTOR SPORT:Russia are to join the Formula One circus in 2014, which gives the green light to the race no one wants to win – which circuits will lose out in an overcrowded programme?
The schedule for next year for the first time includes a race in Delhi, pencilled in for October 30th.
That takes the number of grands prix to 20 and many in the sport, including the commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, consider that to be the optimum number.
Next week South Korea will stage a grand prix for the first time and F1 will return to the US from 2012; a new track is being built in Austin, Texas.
The news Russia will be coming aboard – they have signed a six-year deal to stage the event at the Black Sea resort of Sochi – means the calendar is starting to look overcrowded.
China, Japan, Bahrain and Turkey, are in danger of falling off the itinerary, while the European grand prix at Valencia is also thought to be vulnerable.
FAI pick Ronan as head coach
SOCCER:The FAI have announced Susan Ronan's appointment as head coach of the Republic of Ireland women's senior team and will take charge for the Uefa Euro 2013 qualifying campaign.
Ronan will also continue to head up the development of the women’s game for the FAI.
Irish win four bouts from four
BOXING:THE IRISH Elite boxing squad chalked up four wins from four on day one of the 11-nation Ostrava Grand Prix in the Czech Republic yesterday.
Cavan bantamweight John Joe Nevin and Eric Donovan chalked up quarter-final wins along with Con Sheehan and Seán Turner.
Nevin beat Barak Filip of the Czech Republic 10-0 and Athy lightweight Donovan beat Zerqiri Lirido of Kosova 7-1.
Sheehan earned a 7-0 win over Petruskevicius Aidas of Latvia and Drimnagh super-heavyweight Turner beat Sour Pavel of the Czech Republic 7-2.
All four will be involved in semi-finals bouts today along with Darren O’Neill, Willie McLaughlin, Jason Quigley and Ray Moylette.
Sheedy and Counihan share award
SPORTS:Liam Sheedy and Conor Counihan have been named joint winners of the Philips Sports Manager of the Month awards for September.
Sheedy led his Tipperary hurling side to victory in last month’s All-Ireland decider, while Counihan secured the Sam Maguire for Cork two weeks later.
Tired Nadal bows out in Shanghai
TENNIS:Exhausted world number one Rafa Nadal suffered a surprise 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 defeat by Austria's Jürgen Melzer in the third round of the Shanghai Masters yesterday, while Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic marched on.
Nadal, who won the Tokyo Open on Sunday and was playing in his third tournament back-to-back.
The world number one dropped serve twice in the first set amid a series of unforced errors on his way to a first defeat to the 13th seed.
“This isn’t a surprise for me. I didn’t play well. I felt slow on court and I made more mistakes than usual,” the Spaniard said.
World number two Djokovic reached the last eight with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over France’s Richard Gasquet, while Federer swept aside Italian Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-4.
Briton Andy Murray secured his place at the ATP season-ender in London next month with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.
Jo-Wilfred Tsonga beat German Florian Mayer 7-5, 6-3.
Ireland women fall to Sri Lanka
CRICKET:Ireland fell to an 11-run defeat to Sri Lanka in their opening game of the Twenty20 stage of the ICC Women's Challenge in Potchefstroom, South Africa, yesterday, writes Emmet Riordan.
Chasing 128 for victory, Ireland were well on course after a blistering start, with openers Clare Shillington (14) and Isobel Joyce putting on 37 for the first wicket in just 25 deliveries.
Sri Lanka struck back, taking four wickets, including the key scalp of Joyce after she had hit 37 off 27 balls. Ireland struggled to maintain the scoring rate, with Laura Delany finishing unbeaten on 24 as they reached 116 for seven.
Ireland play Pakistan tomorrow in their second group game ahead of the play-offs for final placings.
Moriarty sole Irish survivor in Rome
GOLF:Colm Moriarty was the best of the Irish trio at the Roma Golf Open after a second round 69 to make the halfway stage on the two-under-par cut-off mark. Gary Murphy misses out after a second round total of 71 for one under, while Niall Kearney could only add a 71 to his his opening day 77.
