Hockey: Glenanne knew their debut in the A Division of the European Club Championship was always going to be a learning experience, writes Dermot Ashmore. Yet, it was chastening to lose as heavily as 6-0 to Western of Glasgow (captained by Ireland under-21 international Jonathan McMeekin) in the relegation playoff in Bloemendaal yesterday. It was no consolation to the Dubliners - and Graham Shaw in particular - that they won the short-corner count 10-7. In contrast, the Scottish side went three-up from corners, with a critical second goal in the 32nd minute coming from Scott McCartney. McCartney - the tournament's top marksman - went on to complete a hat-trick with Gordon Moore (2) and Callum McLeod also figuring on the scoresheet. Ironically, Glenanne's most encouraging performance was in their first match against Harvesthuder (1-4), although the crack Hamburg side went under 31 to Bloemendaal, inspired by Teun de Noker, in yesterday's final. For Glenanne there will be much to remember and Graham Shaw is surely worthy now of gaining his full international spurs.
Athletics: Zola Budd, whose arrival from South Africa to Britain as a teenager in 1984 sparked such a political storm, is ready to relaunch her running career after a five-year hiatus. Budd is a confirmed starter for the inaugural British 10km road race in London on July 22nd, planned as a dress rehearsal for her marathon debut, which she also hopes to make in London next April.
Cycling: Robert Moore of the Stamullen club yesterday emerged best at the end of a hotly-disputed Dunboyne three-day race. Moore finished second on the opening stage behind Usher IRC veteran Sean Bracken, who then strengthened his grip on yellow when he won the stage two time-trial by two seconds. Bracken had a tough time yesterday, spending much of the 75-mile stage trying to get to grips with an 11-man breakaway group. Moore proved fastest in the sprint and clinched the overall victory. Garda Motorway's Jim Cassidy was second.
Motor Racing: Formula One boss Frank Williams yesterday called for a review of contracts for leading technical personnel following the tug-of-war between McLaren and Jaguar over the services of designer Adrian Newey. Williams said there was a "strong case" for contract recognition to protect teams' intellectual property. Jaguar, meanwhile, said it is "considering legal action" against McLaren, and Newey. McLaren's technical director said on Friday he would not be honouring a contract he signed with Jaguar.
