Sports Digest/Equestrian: Robert Splaine is to be offered the post of chef d'equipe for Ireland's senior show jumping team for the 2006 season, reports Grania Willis.
A unanimous agreement to offer the €100,000 a year job to the Corkman came at a lengthy meeting of the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) executive in Co Kildare last night.
Senior representatives of the SJAI met 18 of the country's top international riders for round-table talks in Dublin airport 15 days ago and proposals were made about the 2006 selection process. A secret ballot was held at the meeting, with both Splaine and former Army rider John Ledingham's names being put to the vote for the role of chef d'equipe.
Proposals from the October 10th meeting were put before a two-hour meeting of the selectors last Monday before being forwarded to the SJAI executive for last night's decision.
The appointment is still subject to ratification by the Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) and the agreement of a contract with Splaine.
BASKETBALL: Cork rivals Neptune and UCC Demons have been drawn together in round two of the Superleague cup, reports Gavin Cummiskey.
Both sides were beaten last weekend but the formula adopted last season sees them into a backdoor competition with a second chance to make the quarter-finals. The Demons, who were shocked at the Mardyke Arena by Limerick on Saturday, will again hold home advantage.
Ballina, who lost to defending champions the Tralee Tigers, also got a home draw against St Vincent's, who were beaten in the Dublin derby against Killester. Star of the Sea play their first cup match against Shamrock Rovers Hoops in Jordanstown. All fixtures must be played by November 18th.
The quarter-finals take place on December 9th-11th, with Tralee, Killester, the Killarney Lakers, UCD and Limerick awaiting the three qualifiers.
TENNIS: Andy Murray will get his big chance to score a hugely symbolic victory over British number one Tim Henman in the Swiss Indoors in Basle this week. Murray and Henman will meet for the first time in a first-round match scheduled for tomorrow.
Murray has swept to within 42 places of Henman in the world rankings.
