MOTOR SPORT:Donegal's Shaun Gallagher, who was crowned FIA Junior World Rally Champion in the Rookie class at the weekend's Rally Catalunya in Spain, was due to land in Sligo Airport this morning to a hero's welcome, writes Brian Foley.

Gallagher is expected to compete in Rally Ireland when the World Rally Championship (WRC) comes here for the first time next month.

The Team Ireland driver from Letterkenny, partnered by Welshman Clive Jenkins, claimed second place at Rallye Deutschland in August and needed only to complete the Rally Catalunya to win the title.

Gallagher has won the Billy Coleman Award presented by Motorsport Ireland, has won the UK Peugeot 206 series and been successful in France and Norway.