SPORTS DIGEST: EQUESTRIAN: Cian O'Connor's legal team have just a week left to complete their defence for the Athens gold medallist before Waterford Crystal's doping case comes before the International Equestrian Federation, reports Grania Willis.
But when the New Year dawns tomorrow, Irish show jumping is facing another potential controversy surrounding the role of trainer to the top team.
The appointment of Eddie Macken caused much friction in the first half of this year, but, despite calls from most of the A team for his retention in the post, his appointment has still not been ratified for the 2005 season.
Macken, based in Vancouver, has been offered a lucrative contract to train riders aiming for the Mexican show jumping team, but has put that on hold while he waits to hear whether the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) will be availing of his services for the 2005 season. But time is running out and Macken is keen to get the issue settled.
"Apart from hearsay, I'm not even fully aware whether that position is going to be there or not," Macken told The Irish Times. "I asked them for something in writing by December 31st, but I've had no official word from anyone. They need to advertise the post and stipulate the requirements of the contract. There's been enough discussion on it. It should have been done by now."
Macken took on the unsalaried post to train the top team for the Athens Olympics and the Samsung Super League Nations Cup rounds in the build-up to the Games. "It cost me an absolute fortune this year," he said.
In contrast, the 2005 post is believed to have a substantial pay cheque attached, with the entire package - including expenses - expected to be in the region of €100,000. But the post itself could be substantially altered following an Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) proposal to put in a performance director responsible for all teams from junior level upwards.
GOLF: Phenomenal public demand to attend the Padraig Harrington Charity Golf Show has resulted in two sell-out performances - and agreement by Ireland's world ranked number six to put on a third show at Citywest Hotel, Saggart, on the afternoon of Saturday, January 22nd next.
Pre-sales of 3,000 tickets have been booked for the first two shows on Friday, January 21st and the evening of Saturday, January 22nd and with all proceeds going to charity, through the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation, tickets for a third show and another limited audience of 1,500, are now on sale for Saturday afternoon, January 22nd, at 2pm, with doors opening at 1pm.
Tickets, priced €50 and €65 for adults and €30 for children under 16, are available through Ticketmaster outlets nationwide, online at www.ticketmaster.ie or by telephone: 0818 - 719300.
RUGBY: England international James Simpson-Daniel could be playing again by the end of January after undergoing shoulder surgery yesterday.
The news is better than initially expected, both for Gloucester's coaching staff and England coach Andy Robinson, with Simpson-Daniel now facing a lay-off of three to four weeks.
GAELIC GAMES: Underdogs star Eoin Bradley is Tyrone's only debutant for Sunday's Dr McKenna Cup opener at Breffni Park.
Bradley, who featured in the reality TV series team's recent win over All-Ireland champions Kerry, is included at right full back on the team to face Eamonn Coleman's Cavan.
Three players who featured in the All-Ireland winning season of 2003 are back, Brian Robinson coming in at left half back with Ryan Mellon selected at right corner forward and Peter Donnelly at midfield.
Seán Cavanagh, who starred in Ulster's Railway Cup triumph at left half forward, gets the number 12 shirt, while there's a welcome return for Enda McGinley. Peter Canavan, whose last start was the All-Ireland final more than a year ago, is listed among the substitutes.
TYRONE (Dr McKenna Cup v Cavan): P McConnell; E Bradley, C Lawn, S Sweeney; B Donnelly, G Devlin, B Robinson; P Donnelly, B Meenan; B Dooher, S O'Neill, S Cavanagh; R Mellon, O Mulligan, E McGinley. Subs: C Greene, P Canavan, M Coleman, B Collins, D Harte, M McGee, B McGuigan, R McMenamin, M Penrose, M Murphy, C Meenagh.
