BOXING:  A surprising aspect of Saturday's Central Council meeting (IABA) at the National Stadium was the absence of a debate on the suspensions of three national champions arising from their failure to turn up to resume European training on St Stephen's Day.

President Dominic O'Rourke said the main purpose of the meeting was to deal with a problem concerning Connacht and "this was resolved to everyone's satisfaction".

IABA officials maintain Martin Lyndsey, Martin Rogan and Alan Reynolds dropped themselves from the national squad by not resuming training when asked.

The three thus lost out on their chances of competing in the European championships in Croatia next month but may, if they wish, return to the panel in training for the Olympic qualifiers in Bulgaria and Poland in March and in Azerbaijan in April.

l Scotland have agreed to two matches with Ireland, at the Stadium on February 21st and perhaps in New Ross on the 23rd. The national intermediate finals move to February 22nd.