Sports Digest/ SNOOKER: Paul Hunter is halfway to the most emotional victory of his career after taking a 5-4 lead over Michael Holt at the Embassy World Championship in Sheffield last night.
Hunter, diagnosed with cancer last month, carries the sentimental support of his native Yorkshire crowd and he repaid them with a fine performance against Crucible Theatre debutant Holt.
The 26-year-old Leeds-born professional now requires five of this afternoon's remaining 10 frames to join champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the last 16.
"It was a great reception and I appreciate all the support I'm getting," said Hunter whose wife, Lyndsey, was among the audience.
"He seems to be handling things quite well," said Holt. "We had a bit of a chat and a laugh out there," added the world number 29 from Nottingham. "The crowd all want him to do well. I know it's nothing personal and I've got a few mates shouting for me."
SOCCER: "Rogue trader" Nick Leeson, associated the world over with the collapse of Barings Bank in 1995, is the new commercial manager of Eircom League side Galway United. He starts in the role next week.
Leeson (38), applied for the advertised job and his appointment is seen as a coup for the club that recently established a new board of directors.
He has lived in Barna, Co Galway, with his wife and family for the last two-and-a-half years and is back to full health having recovered from the colon cancer that secured his early release from prison.
"I am really looking forward to the challenge. I am a very keen football fan and am looking forward to working with Galway United," he said. "It is inevitable I will always be associated with Barings Bank, but, after everything which has happened, I have moved on and I hope other people have as well."
ROWING: A dead heat in the final of one of the biggest events provided a talking point at the Queen's University Regatta at Castlewellan on Saturday. On a day of tight finishes, the host club and Lady Elizabeth could not be separated in the prestigious men's senior coxed fours, writes Liam Gorman.
The junior double scull of Rory O'Connor and Paul O'Brien won the men's senior title - a noteworthy win at an open regatta for two 17-year-olds who look set to represent Ireland at the World Junior Championships in Germany in August.
CYCLING: Irish rider Philip Deignan showed he is gradually returning to form after recent injury with a solid ride in the 2.2 ranked Tour Nord Isère in France over the weekend. The Ag2R Prévoyance rider, who missed two months racing due to a knee problem, ended the three-day, four-stage event just one minute and 18 seconds off the winning time of Maint Berkenbosch (Trientalis Apac Team). The Donegal rider was 32nd overall.
