NATIONAL HUNT AWARDS: Special Achievement awards went to the connections of War of Attrition, Newmill, Brave Inca and Numersixvalverde at the National Hunt Awards in Adare last night.
The awards were in recognition of their victories in the Gold Cup, Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and Grand National this year.
Also among those honoured were jockeys Ruby Walsh and Nina Carberry.
AWARDS: Special Achievement: Numbersixvalverde (owner Bernie Carroll, trainer Martin Brassil, jockey Niall Madden); War of Attrition (owner Michael O'Leary, trainer Michael Morris, jockey Conor O'Dwyer); Newmill (owner Mary Hayes, trainer JJ Murphy, jockey Andrew McNamara); Brave Inca (owner Novices Syndicate, trainer Colm Murphy, jockey Tony McCoy. Leading Amateur: Nina Carberry. Leading Lady Rider: Nina Carberry. Leading Claiming Rider: RM Moran. Leading Trainer of Mares: Paul Nolan. Champion Trainer: Noel Meade. Leading Trainer: Noel Meade. Champion Owner: JP McManus. Stable Staff: Martin Brassil. Leading Jockey: Ruby Walsh. Distinguished Service: Joan Moore. Recognition Award: Andrew J McNamara. Point to Point Award JT McNamara.
CYCLING: Mark Scanlon got the second Grand Tour of his career under way over the weekend, placing 126th in the opening time trial of the Giro d'Italia in Seraing, Belgium, on Saturday, and then finishing in the main bunch on yesterday's stage to Charleroi, writes Shane Stokes.
Yesterday's stage win went to Australian Robbie McEwen (Davitamon Lotto), with Scanlon also finishing as part of the main bunch in 162nd place. Prologue winner Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) continues to lead the general classification. Scanlon is 118th overall, one minute and two seconds back.
Meanwhile, Paul Healion followed up his win in the Rás Mumhan and two stage victories in last weekend's Tour of Ulster when he finished second in the Lincoln GP in England yesterday.
The Dubliner crossed the line seven seconds after Kristian House at the end of 85 miles.
ROWING: Carlow Rowing Club had an outstanding few days at the giant KRSG Regatta, which was held at Ghent in Belgium over the weekend, writes Liam Gorman.
Their junior women's eight took second in their final on Saturday, and their two junior women's pairs were in the top three.
But the outstanding result was a win for the club's very young men's junior quadruple on Saturday.
Three of the crew are only 16, and Aaron Bolger can still row at Junior 16 level - even though he has been chosen to represent Ireland at Junior 18 level this season.
Queen's University also did themselves proud, with wins for their women's pair and lightweight senior single sculler Orlagh Duddy.
Clare Lambe of Commercial won the Junior 16 single scull yesterday.
