A round-up of today's other sport stories
Mahon's licence suspended
RACING:Trainer Steve Mahon has had his licence suspended for four months by the Turf Club on the back of a Circuit Court case heard last year when he was found guilty of neglecting a racehorse that had to be put down, reports Brian O'Connor
The Turf Club's referrals committee met yesterday in respect of Mahon's handling of that case which involved the treatment of the racehorse Pikes Bridge. Mahon was ordered to pay damages of over €34,000 to the horse's owner last year. The committee yesterday decided Mahon was in breach of their rules 272 and 273 and suspended his licence for four months, starting on January 1st.
Committee chairman Dr Gordon Holmes said Mahon's offence had brought "racing into disrepute".
Although there was no evidence of cruelty to the horse, Dr Holmes said that Mahon had shown "a complete disregard for the procedures of the ordinary running of a licensed stable".
FEI establish doping commission
EQUESTRIAN: The FEI yesterday announced the establishment of a commission on doping and medication which will be chaired by Dr Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the IOC Medical Commission and vice president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), reports Margie McLoone.
In a statement issued at its general assembly, which is being held in Buenos Aires in South America, the FEI said that the commission would offer "a robust examination of the way the equine anti-doping policies can be further harmonized to WADA norms in order to ensure that horse welfare remains at the heart of the system and is fully protected."
Britton forced to withdraw
ATHLETICS: Two-time defending champion Fionnuala Britton has been forced to withdraw from Sunday's National Inter-Counties cross country championships due to a suspected stress fracture, which may well put an end to her entire cross country season, reports Ian O'Riordan.
The Wicklow athlete was set to start Sunday's event at Tramore racecourse in Waterford as overwhelming favourite for the senior women's title, but will now be sidelined for up to six weeks - missing next month's European Cross Country in Brussels in the process of her recovery. In her absence, Dublin's Linda Byrne is likely to claim the title.
Green Dragon spirits lifted as crew learn to adapt
SAILING: Green Dragon has learned fast about how to sail without a boom. The absence of the equipment, in spite of recent commentary, proved little handicap yesterday in the Southern Ocean, reports David O'Brien.
Spirits were lifted when the Galway boat reached the scoring gate in third place yesterday afternoon. The result gives them joint second overall in the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) with American entry Puma, a position they could not have expected when their boom smashed in storm force conditions on Tuesday.Overall leader Ericsson 4 continues to dominate taking the maximum points with team-mates Ericsson three second.
Dragon's current route is a gamble, according to navigator Ian Moore who says the eight-boat fleet are now to negotiate a 250-mile-wide doldrum area before setting sail for Kochi, India, still 3,000 miles away.
Gold Cup winner Kicking King retires
RACING: The 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kicking King has been retired, reports Brian O'Connor.
The 10-year-old winner of 12 of his 28 races injured a tendon after winning his second King George VI Chase and only returned to action last season after a 759-day absence. He failed to win in four subsequent starts.
"It's not really a sad day. Kicking King was a wonderful chaser to have had," said his owner Conor Clarkson yesterday.
Trainer Tom Taaffe, who spotted Kicking King as a foal, added: "It is just great he has finished in one piece."
Barry Geraghty, who was in the plate in all his 26 races over obstacles, rates Kicking King along with Moscow Flyer as the two "classiest" horses he has ever ridden.
