SPORTS DIGEST:Jessica Kürten was just pipped at the post again at the Swedish World Cup show in Gothenburg, ending as runner-up in Thursday night's late-finishing Masters qualifier, writes Grania Willis.
The world number four brought out her 2006 Dubai Grand Prix winner Quibell and was fast and clear in the timed decider to stop the clock on 30.04 seconds. But German ace Ludger Beerbaum was faster, to seal victory in 29.91, 400ths of a second to the good.
Kürten had finished in the same spot in the earlier speed class, following Cameron Hanley's third in the opening event.
The Mayoman was back in the money again yesterday, slotting SIEC Livello into sixth in the morning's speed class .
BOXING:Pat McCrory has been appointed secretary of the Amateur Boxing Association's Referees and Judges Commission.
McCrory, who has been president of IABA's Ulster branch for the last 18 years, has worked with the world governing body on their R and J Commission at the Sydney Olympics.
The Antrim native has also worked as a technical delegate at several major international competitions and has been an international referee and judge since 1984. McRory said: "I am certainly looking forward to working with the commission with the determination to improve the judging standards and the scoring system which presently puts immense pressure on the judges."
BOXING: Audley Harrison has vowed to "rise from the ashes" following last Saturday's defeat by underdog Michael Sprott at Wembley Arena.
Harrison's defeat prompted speculation that he might retire, with even promoter Frank Warren suggesting the time might be right to hang up his gloves.
But the Olympic gold medallist insists he has no intention of quitting.
"Once again, the papers and critics are out in force, which is understandable.
"But we are talking about me here and maybe I am delusional or just plain crazy, but I feel determined - maybe more so now - to rectify this loss and move on in my career," said Harrison.
GAELIC GAMES:Carlow's former midfield star Thomas Walsh has been named among Wicklow's substitutes for Sunday's division 2B league game against neighbours Wexford at Aughrim.
Walsh's transfer to Wicklow, where he will play with the Bray Emmets Club, is still a bit up in the air at the moment.
Carlow have told the Leinster Council that while they are not objecting to his transfer to Wicklow, they are nonetheless questioning his address.
Wicklow will be without eight of the team that beat Wexford by 0-7 to 0-5 in the O'Byrne Cup match in January, including their star full forward Paul Earls, who scored five of their points that day.
Earls picked up a hamstring injury in their last league game, against Cavan, and will be out of action for four to five weeks, while Rathnew's Stephen Byrne and Blessington's Jonathan Daniels are also on the injured list.
Mick O'Dwyer has drafted in two players from the county's under-21 team, which was narrowly beaten by Laois last week.
Mick McLoughlin, who played at full-back for the under-21s, lines out at wing back, while Kiltegan's Rory Finn get his first senior cap at wing forward.
Damien Power gets his first start from O'Dwyer at centre- back, while Keith Byrne switches to full-forward and John Slattery to centre-forward.
WICKLOW (v Wexford): R Daniels; C Hyland, D O hAnnaidh, A Byrne; M McLoughlin, D Power, L Glynn; J Stafford, B O'Donovan; R Finn, J Slattery, JP Dalton; T Gill, K Byrne, T Hannon.
