Sports Digest/ RUGBY: The organising committee of Rugby World Cup 2007 in France has released over 100,000 additional tickets for general sale to the public, reports Johnny Watterson.
Tickets, which range in price from €10 to 170, are available for all 12 tournament venues (10 in France, one in Scotland and one in Wales).
Those wishing to buy tickets and register for the draw for allocation of purchase orders for the final and semi-finals (registration open up to and including May 20th) should visit the official World Cup website or the official France 2007 Organising Committee website.
More than 1,750,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament, which kicks-off on September 7th when France take on Argentina at Stade de France.
Six nations mount up
EQUESTRIAN: The Irish Horse Board-sponsored Punchestown three-day event, which kicks off with the dressage today, has attracted a six-nation field for the four sections that will run until Sunday at the Co Kildare racetrack, reports Grania Willis.
The feature Irish Horse Board three-star boasts 31 starters from Ireland, Britain, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand, while the CLG Developments two-star has British, Swiss and New Zealand runners, along with a strong contingent from the home side.
All the one-star and two-thirds of the two-star horses make their appearance in the dressage arena today, the three-star runners, the remainder of the two-star starters and the young riders featuring tomorrow in the build-up to Saturday's cross-country action.
Devlin takes elite role
ATHLETICS: Athletics Ireland yesterday announced the appointment of Gareth Devlin as their new high-performance manager, reports Ian O'Riordan.
A two-time national long-lump champion and senior international until his retirement in 2002, the Derry native takes up the role following the departure of Waterford's Elaine Fitzgerald from the position in March.
Devlin's role as high-performance manager will be to identify athletes with exceptional talent and help them develop to their full potential.
He will also provide support to Ireland's elite athletes to enhance their performances at international competitions and in this context will work closely with the association's new director of athletics, Max Jones.
