Swimmimg: World shortcourse record holders Mark Foster and James Hickman lead the invitation list for next month's Leisureland international meet at Salthill. Atlanta gold medallist Jon Olsen of the US and Sweden's Lars Frolander, the world number one at 100 metres and 50 metres butterfly, will also compete in the Galway event which takes place on February 22nd-25th.
ATHLETICS: Peter Coghlan pronounced himself reasonably happy with his first indoor race of the season when he finished second over the 60metre hurdles at Virginia Tech University at the weekend. The Dubliner clocked a useful 7.91 seconds and showed no signs of the injury that wrecked his Olympic ambitions last year.
Karen Shinkins, who is also training in Atlanta, opened her season with an impressive 53.80 in the 400 metres, and came back later in the meeting to clock 24.43 for the 200 metres.
HOCKEY: Mount Anville and Muckross Park will meet in the Leinster Schoolgirls' League final on January 31st after coming through exciting semifinals yesterday, writes Mary Hannigan.
Carol McGowan converted the decisive stroke for Mount Anville after normal and extratime failed to find a winner against Loreto Abbey Dalkey at Terenure. McGowan and the impressive Gillian Davy had put Mount Anville 2-0 up after 25 minutes but Dalkey, for whom Muireann McCarthy was inspirational, levelled with goals from Sarah Gallagher and Beth Maguire either side of the break. At Grange Road, Muckross Park created an upset by beating last season's All Ireland champions Loreto Bray 1-0, with a Jean McDonnell penalty stroke five minutes into the second half deciding the issue. Goalkeeper Orla McGuinness proved to be the bane of the Bray forwards, producing a string of top-class saves.
HOCKEY: Glenanne, Ireland's representatives in the European club championship this year, have confirmed that Pakistani international Nasir Munir has joined their ranks. A skilful midfielder from Lahore, he has already come on as a substitute in two Dublin matches, against Trinity in the Leinster League and Aer Lingus in the Mills Cup. He is expected to be in the squad for Saturday's Irish Senior Cup tie against Railway Union.
FORMULA ONE: Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer was released from hospital in Barcelona yesterday after suffering only minor injuries in a spectacular crash at the Montmelo grand prix circuit at the weekend. Witnesses said Badoer's car somersaulted after apparently losing a rear wheel during the accident.
GREYHOUND RACING: Limerick is in line for a new £10 million greyhound stadium and leisure complex. Michael Field, CEO of Bord na gCon, has revealed plans for the new facility which will be situated at the former Greenpark race course. It will signal the end of the Markets Field for greyhound racing but possibly the return of soccer.
