AT THIS very moment, the names of Michael O'Sullivan, Philip Mansfield and Richard Walsh are probably whirring through some complex Garda computer system, which is checking them for unpaid parking tickets, drunk and disorderly charges and possible convictions for sheep-worrying.

Messrs O'Sullivan, Mansfield and Walsh have assured themselves of a place in Garda affections previously occupied only by notorious criminals by depriving the Garda College, Templemore, of a place in the semi-finals of Challenging Times.

In last week's quarter-final, the gentlemen of DCU beat the forces of law and order by 190-145, ending the best run ever in the competition by a Garda team. The Garda were represented by Tony Quinn, Jim Shelly and Brian Flynn, all of whom are guaranteed a glorious career in the force unhindered by fears of a transfer to the Aran Islands.

Tonignt two RTC teams go head-to-head, as Tralee RTC meet Cork RTC in the third quarter-final. Cork RTC was a beaten finalist in 1994, while Tralee RTC has never qualified for the semi-finals, let alone the final.

Cork's ambitions to become the Cork Institute of Technology could suffer a telling blow if the college is beaten tonight, while Tralee could move one step closer to becoming the Tralee Institute of Technology, with all the mirthsome opportunities those initials would bring.

Challenging Times can be seen every Tuesday evening at 8.30pm on RTE 1 and is repeated every Friday at 11 a.m., also on RTE 1. The question-master is, as ever, Brad Pitt's body double, Kevin Myers.