Cycling: The prospects of Ireland hosting the 2004 World championships took another step forward over the weekend when Pat McQuaid submitted the bid document to the International Cycling Union at the world cyclo-cross championships in the Czech Republic, reports Shane Stokes.

If approved, the project would see 100,000 spectators converging on the environs of Killarney in October of that year to watch the world's top cyclists in action.

McQuaid and business partner Alan Rushdon have been working on the proposal for over two years, but will have to wait until this autumn's championships in Portugal before they learn if they have succeeded in their bid. They also face the task of securing government backing for the project.

Meanwhile, McQuaid has been re-elected to the UCI executive council while Jack Watson has secured a place as a delegate at the UCI congress.

Boxing: Ireland's preparations for the World senior championships in Belfast next June is guaranteed to be comprehensive following the announcement at Saturday's meeting of the Central Council IABA that the full Irish squad will train for a month with the Cuban team in Limerick, reports Pat Roche.

The 24 national senior champions and runners-up who constitute the Irish squad will take part in the Home nations championships in Liverpool and at two tournaments in France in April during the build-up to the world tests.

Competition for the Irish hopefuls will also be provided by the full American squad who will be in Dublin for an international on April 27th and for a second match, probably in Belfast, two days later.

Reigning Irish featherweight champion Bernard Dunne - about to sign professional papers - is not among 60 entries, so far received, for the National senior championships which begin at the Stadium on Friday.