SPORTS DIGEST/SWIMMING: Grant Hackett, who is chasing an unprecedented sweep of four freestyle titles at the World Championships in Montreal, kept alive his dream yesterday by booking a spot in his third final.
The Australian set the fastest time in the 800 metres heats to qualify for tonight's 16-length final, where he will start as an overwhelming favourite to defend the title he won in Barcelona two years ago.
The 25-year-old law student has already won the 400 metres gold medal and was the biggest danger to Michael Phelps in last night's 200 metres final, the most difficult of his four freestyle races.
Hackett's favourite event, the 1,500 metres, is on the final day of competition. He has not been beaten over that distance in almost a decade, but his massive workload has presented him with a fresh challenge.
"I was thrilled with my heat swim," Hackett said. "I'm unsure about what to expect from myself, swimming so many events, but I'm learning how to pace myself.
"All my races have been hard, but I've put myself in this position and I'm determined to give it my all."
Hackett fought off a sustained challenge from American Larsen Jenson to win his 800 metres heat in seven minutes 47.62 seconds, more than seven seconds outside his personal best.
Larsen's 7:48.89 was the second fastest overall while Russian Yuri Prilukov, runner-up in the 400 metres, was third in 7:51.75, just ahead of David Davies of Britain.
Japan's Ryuichi Shibata made the most of Phelps's absence from the 200 metres butterfly to qualify fastest with a time of 1:56.60. Australia's Travis Nederpelt was second in 1:56.91 with Poland's Pawel Korzeniowski third in 1:56.93.
CRICKET: Following in the footsteps of their senior counterparts, Ireland's under-19s have qualified for next February's World Cup in Sri Lanka with a comfortable win over Denmark at Arbroath, near Dundee, writes James Fitzgerald.
Batting first, the Danes got off to a solid start and were 30 for 0 when Gareth McKee came on to bowl. The Cliftonville all-rounder promptly took a hat-trick and Denmark collapsed to 98 all out.
McKee ended with figures of 4-17 and he was ably assisted by Merrion's Richard Keaveney with 2-18.
In reply, Ireland's victory never looked in doubt. Fintan McAllister from Rush batted through the innings, finishing unbeaten on 52 as the Irish passed Denmark's total with nine wickets intact.
Tomorrow, Ireland will take on the other team to qualify for the World Cup Scotland, who beat the Netherlands. That match will decide on the seedings for that tournament next year. Earlier this month, the Irish senior team qualified for the 2007 World Cup in 2007 at the ICC Trophy despite losing in the final to Scotland.
HOCKEY: Ireland were successful in the first of their three Test matches against Belgium in Brussels, writes Johnny Watterson. Ireland won the first of the series 4-2, with goals coming from Irish striker Justin Sherriff who struck twice. The other goals came from Ulster's Mark Raphael and Gerry Shaw.
Ireland play Belgium again today and tomorrow before meeting the world's number one side, Germany, in Dublin over the weekend.
TENNIS: Dublin teenager Rachel Dillon, who spends much of her time abroad dedicated to developing her game, rescued Irish women's tennis from a complete battering in the ITF Irish Open at the Castleknock club yesterday, writes Pat Roche.
Dillon played on serve and returns to endorse her status as the only Irish player to be given direct entry into the main draw by dismantling the challenge of young Dutch prospect Josanne Van Bennekom 6-0 6-0.
RUGBY: Padua is ready to step in to stage Six Nations matches should Rome's Stadio Flaminio no longer be available from 2007.
Padua, situated near Venice in the northern Veneto region, has a strong rugby tradition and believes it would be well suited to stage matches which have always been held in Rome since Italy joined what had been the Five Nations in 2000.
The rugby future of the Flaminio could hinge on the plans of Lazio, one of Rome's two Serie A football clubs. Lazio have sought permission to move from the Olympic Stadium across the River Tiber to the Flaminio. The FIR are therefore looking for guarantees that they will still be able to play their matches there should Lazio make the move.
RUGBY LEAGUE: London Broncos have entered into a cross-code partnership with rugby union club Harlequins. The Broncos will become known as Harlequins Rugby League Club and will move into The Stoop from the start of the 2006 Super League season.
The Broncos, who will also adopt Harlequins' famous pastel colours, are keen to stress the two clubs have not merged at corporate level and remain separate entities. But they will present a united front in terms of name, colours and year-round rugby at the newly-christened Twickenham Stoop.
BOXING: Ireland's Conor Ahern and Darren Sutherland are just one fight away from gold at this week's senior Multi-Nations in Liverpool. Ahern recorded an impressive 27-19 four-round victory over England's Stuart Langley yesterday, and along with Sutherland (bye) will contest Friday's 48kg and 75Kg finals respectively.
St Saviour's Karl Brabazon was also in top form on Merseyside stopping Scotland's Kris Carslaw in round three of their contest to set up a 65kg semi-final with England's Myles Perkins today.
