Athletics: Mark Carroll had an encouraging return to competition at the Thanksgiving Day road race in Manchester, Connecticut, when he finished a close second to Kenyan John Kanutai. Run in wet and windy conditions, Carroll and the Kenyan were neck and neck coming into the final strides of the 4.8 mile race, but, unlike last year, Carroll was edged out of the victory.

Awards: Colm O'Rourke, manager of the Ireland team that won the International Rules series in Australia, was named Philips manager of the month for October yesterday. Ireland won the First Test by eight points and drew the second to take the series. Liam Reale, an outstanding cross country prospect, was named ESB young athlete for October following wins in the Limerick under-16 championship, the Combined Munster Novice and under-23 championships.

Boxing: Stephen Twohig, the Sunnyside, Cork, lightweight coached by former Olympian, Ciaran Joyce, stormed through to the finals of the National Intermediate Boxing championships by ousting Karl Hogg of Larne 20-14 at the National Stadium last night.

The weight category should provide a highlight of next Friday's finals following Michael Dillon's (Phoenix) one point victory 16-15 over Newry's Sean Mallon in the other semi-final.

Cricket: Despite being two months over the official age limit, Peter Shields from the North Down club has been granted a special dispensation to captain the Ireland team which will compete in the Under 19 World Youth Cricket Cup in Sri Lanka, which begins on January 11th. Shields, along with the Donemana pace bowler Dwayne McGerrigle, is one of two full international players in the squad. There are four newcomers in the panel - Ireland under-17 captain John Mooney, Duncan Smythe, Niall O'Brien and Jordan McGonigle.

Ireland will compete in a testing group, against Australia, Sri Lanka and Namibia.

"It will be tough, but our squad comprises a useful blend of youth and experience", said Ireland's coach Bobby Rao.

Cricket: Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting shared an unbeaten partnership of 117 to put Australia in a strong position after the first day of the third and final test against Pakistan at the WACA yesterday. Langer finished the day on 63 and Ponting 62 as Australia recovered from 54 for four to end the day on 171 for four in reply to Pakistan's modest first innings total of 155.