SPORTS DIGEST/Motor Sport: The British and French Grand Prixs have been saved following a deal between Formula One teams, according to reports.
It is believed that nine of the 10 teams agreed to bear the cost of two extra races in a collective agreement to cut testing by 50 per cent.
Ferrari, thought to be against a reduction in testing which is part of the agreement, were not represented at the meeting.
"We've not got a contract with Silverstone yet, but I would be shattered and disappointed if we didn't get a deal," F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said.
Ecclestone and the owners of Silverstone have been wrangling over the future of the 2005 race for several months. The nine teams who have made the agreement are said to have met Ecclestone at the Hilton Hotel near Heathrow airport yesterday.
"We believe agreement was reached that removes any obvious obstacle for the British and French GPs to take place," said McLaren team principal Ron Dennis. The British Racing Drivers' Club, owners of Silverstone, have given the news a cautious welcome after being told Ecclestone's Formula One Management company had come to a deal with the nine team owners.
A statement from the BRDC read: "The BRDC have not yet been officially informed of any proposal by FOM, but if there is a new proposal to safeguard the British Grand Prix in 2005 which makes financial sense for the sport, the industry, the club and especially the local economy, it will be seriously considered by the board of the BRDC."
SNOOKER: Ken Doherty, who has slumped to 15th in the provisional world rankings, received a much-needed boost when he scored a 5-1 victory over temperamental Australian Quinten Hann in the British Open in Brighton yesterday.
Trailing 4-0 and clearly frustrated, Hann smashed the cue-ball into the pack of reds with his break off in the fifth frame. He fluked a red to launch an 89 break that averted the whitewash, but Doherty took the next frame to secure his place in the last 16.
CAMOGIE: Raymie Ryan, manager of Tipperary has decided to call it a day having steered the Premier county to back-to-back All-Ireland titles in 2003 and in centenary year.
During his two-year stint he also brought the five times All-Ireland champions to their first National League title since 1977, and also managed back-to-back Munster championship titles, a title they had not won in twenty six years.
A most popular manager, his successor has not been named yet, but an imminent appointment is expected in the near future.
GOLF: The Chinese capital of Beijing will be the venue for the 2005 Johnnie Walker Classic.
The tournament, sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian tours, will be played at the Pine Valley Golf Club from April 21st to 24th.
The Classic will join this month's China Open and the Hong Kong Open on the calendar as golf continues to make waves in Asia.
