SPORTS DIGEST: EQUESTRIAN SPORT:Ireland will bid to host the 2014 World Equestrian Games, revealed Joe Walsh, chairman of Horse Sport Ireland, at a media briefing in Dublin yesterday, writes Margie McLoone.

"Horse Sport Ireland will certainly seek to make the 2014 World Equestrian Games a reality in Ireland," said Walsh, who was present at the press launch to introduce two of the main movers behind the 2010 Games in Kentucky, founding chairman Jim Host and Co Louth-born Dr Pearse Lyons, president and founder of global animal health company Alltech, title sponsor of the event.

"I would be very confident of getting backing from the Government should we be awarded the Games," continued Walsh. The FEI World Equestrian Games will run from September 25th to October 10th 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Also yesterday, Mayo-born Cameron Hanley recorded Ireland's first international show jumping win of the year when landing the opening speed class on SIEC Royal Star at the World Cup show in Leipzig, Germany. Drawn sixth last to go in a massive 103 horse start list, 35-year-old Hanley and the 10-year-old bay stallion by Quick Star were nearly half a second faster than the runners-up, Germany's Andre Thieme and Nacorde.

South Africa prove too strong for Ireland

HOCKEY:Ireland lost 1-0 to the host nation in the fifth match of their 10-day training tour to South Africa yesterday.

A much improved Irish performance saw Louisa Moore and Niamh Small capped for the first time and Shirley McCay somewhat unusually playing the full match at left back.

Ireland conceded their only goal of the game with just eight minutes remaining when South Africa drove into the circle for an excellent reverse stick shot from number 29 Tarryn Bright.

Ireland produced the first real chance of the game when Cathy McKean had an early shot blocked by the South African goalkeeper.

South Africa responded two minutes later to test goalkeeper Louisa Healy but the shot just went wide and the game remained scoreless.

Commenting after the game Irish coach Gene Muller said: "We have improved a great deal over the course of the week. It was another late winner for South Africa so that is something we need to overcome. We have played some very good hockey over the last three matches.

"It will be nice to get a first ever win against South Africa tomorrow."