David Coulthard provoked general road rage in the world of Formula One by allowing team-mate Mika Hakkinen to ease past him for first place in Melbourne. Catherina McKeirnan took the half-marathon in Lisbon, stretching her winning streak to 12, a feat which Sonia O'Sullivan almost emulated over a single weekend in Marrakesh when she obliterated the field at the World Cross Country championships. Alan Shearer denied their allegations that he was, in fact, Mary Poppins. "Alan Shearer has always been Alan Shearer," he clarified. The Irish rugby team broke Warren Gatland in gently, losing brilliantly in France. A fortnight later, they lost horribly in Dublin against the Welsh. Warren took a deep breath. Istabraq took the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, while at home Corofin and Birr triumphed in the football and hurling club championships.