A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Leopardstown to host GOAL run

ATHLETICS:It was mostly frozen out last year and lost its main venue this year but everything is now set for the perfect 30th anniversary celebration of the GOAL Mile, writes Ian O'Riordan.

The sad and sudden closure of the UCD track last month means the main stage tomorrow morning will be Leopardstown Racecourse. The wide track should prove ideal for the unforgiving mile run, which actually takes place on the tarmac surface, and finishes in front of the viewing stand. Entrance is via the main Leopardstown Road gate.

As usual each GOAL Mile will be run off at 15-minute intervals, between 10am and 12pm, so no excuses. But Leopardstown is only one of a record 110 locations for this year’s GOAL Mile, some of which will actually be staged in the days after Christmas. There are a further nine venues in Dublin, including the Phoenix Park, Irishtown Stadium, and Tallaght Athletic Club – with further venues from Antrim to Kerry, and from Galway to Wicklow.

The full list of GOAL Mile venues and respective times can be found at www.goal.ie

Telefonica takes the lead in second leg of Ocean Race

SAILING: French leading yacht Groupama 4 dropped from the leader's position of the second leg in the Volvo Ocean Race yesterday as the fleet reached the Indian Ocean doldrums region south of the equator en route to their mystery port, writes David Branigan.

Overall race leader Telefonica, skippered by Iker Martinez, overtook Franck Cammas and his team while Chris Nicholson’s Camper entry also followed to replicate the overall race standings.

Only Ian Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing trails the French boat but it could mount an overtaking move this weekend as Cammas has acted as the pathfinder through the relatively unknown region.

The fleet positions are not being publicly displayed on internet tracking as the race has entered an area notorious for pirate attacks by Somali-based groups. A “safe-haven” port has been designated where the fleet will crane-out and be delivered close to Abu Dhabi as the next stop-over destination as a counter-measure.

Mike Sanderson’s Team Sanya will miss the stop-over following rig damage that saw the crew retire to Madagascar for necessary repairs.

GPA counselling helpline available

GAELIC GAMES:A 24-hour free confidential counselling helpline has been set up by the Gaelic Players Association for its members during the holiday period including Christmas Day, writes Gavin Cummiskey.

“When we established our confidential counselling service as part of the GPA’s health and well-being programme, we assumed it would be a very slow burner, particularly given the stigma surrounding mental health issues,” said GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell. “However, we have been taken aback by the level of engagement with the psychologists. This is a positive thing that players are coming forward to discuss their personal problems which is essential for good mental health.

“Because of the demand we felt it important a 24-hour service should be made available during Christmas, when people experiencing personal difficulties can be particularly vulnerable. The helpline . . . is identical to that made available to rugby players through IRUPA.”

It can be accessed by GPA members in the Republic at 1800201346 and in the North on 08082345183.

Renard suspended for 'corruption'

TENNIS: Swedish tennis player Lucas Renard has been suspended for six months and fined $5,000 (€3,830) for a corruption offence, the Tennis Integrity Unit said yesterday. Renard had breached an article of the anti-corruption program that states: "No covered person shall, directly or indirectly, contrive or attempt to contrive the outcome or any other aspect of any event," the unit said in a statement.

The 19-year-old, ranked 882nd in the world, admitted the offence. Four of the six months of his ban will be suspended, providing he commits no future violation of the code.

The Tennis Integrity Unit is an initiative of the Grand Slam Committee, the International Tennis Federation, the ATP World Tour and the WTA as part of the Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.