Athletics: Seamus Power goes into tomorrow's National inter-club cross country in Scotstown confident of retaining his senior men's title, writes Ian O'Riordan. A three-week training spell in Portugal earlier this month has strengthened his early season form and the Clareman is now ready for a thorough test over the 12km course to sharpen his preparations for the World Championships in Leopardstown next month.
Golf: The St Andrews Links Trust announced yesterday that they were withdrawing from the bid to stage the 2009 Ryder Cup. Alan McGregor, the Trust's general manager, explained that they had pulled out to boost chances of the biennial match returning to Scotland. St Andrews were one of five courses involved in a concerted bid for the event.
Motor Sport: A broken seat belt might have contributed to the injuries which killed US racer Dale Earnhardt at the Daytona 500 last Sunday. "He would have had a much better chance to survive if the belt had not broken," said Steve Bohannon, the Daytona International Speedway medical director.
Snooker: Fergal O'Brien last night beat Stephen Lee 5-4 to qualify for the semi-finals of the Malta Grand Prix.
O'Brien potted just one ball in the opening frame against Lee who replied with a break of 112. But the Irishman chipped away to lead 3-2. Lee made runs of 54 and 32 to go 4-3 up, yet the Dubliner would not be denied. He knocked in green to pink to force a decider and then made his second half century of the match to take the contest.
