A round-up of today's other news in brief

Lorenzo focused on podium finish

MOTOR SPORT:Jorge Lorenzo is determined to return to the podium at the MotoGP in Japan this weekend and drive home his advantage at the top of the world championship standings.

For the first time this season Lorenzo missed out on a top-three finish when he came home fourth in Spain last time out and, while that was not a serious blow to his title push, he is eager to improve in Motegi on Sunday.

"Motegi is Yamaha's home and I always feel proud to ride there," said the 23-year-old. "Last year I got my first victory at this track in MotoGP and it was one of the best moments of the season. I like Motegi and I think it can be great for us also this season. The main goal is to get back on the podium and continue getting as many points as possible.

"We will try to be fast from Friday and start this run of three races as well as we can."

Lorenzo holds a healthy 56pt lead over his fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa heading into the final five races of the season, and is reluctant to offer his rivals any encouragement at this stage.

Royal Cork hosts revival of 1720

SAILING: One of the most eagerly awaited fixtures on the Royal Cork calendar begins this weekend and after an absence of several years, the club's own Cork harbour sports boat, the 1720, is making a reappearance at the October league, writes David O'Brien.

After a resurgence at club level in West Cork this summer when over 20 boats made up the 1720 national championships the move back into sports boat racing on the south coast gets another boost with ten contesting on Sunday. The league's format has been tweaked and this year there will be two courses, both starting with committee boats.

Competitors from other south coast ports such as Waterford Harbour SC arrived in Crosshaven this week. Course Zero, One and Two and 1720 designated as Red Fleet while classes three, four, Whitesail One and White sail Two will be designated Green Fleet and the classes will alternate between the courses each weekend.

 Ryan and Kyle back in the pack

EQUESTRIAN: After the first 32 combinations in the eventing championship of the World Equestrian Games had completed their dressage tests yesterday in the Kentucky Horse Park, Ireland's Patricia Ryan (Fernhill Clover Mist) and Mark Kyle (Step In Time) were lying 23rd and 30th respectively, writes Margie McLoone.

Germany's Simone Dietermann (Free Easy NRW) and Ingrid Klimke (FRH Butts Abraxxas) topped the leaderboard ahead of Britain's William Fox-Pitt on Cool Mountain.

Rogan ready to relaunch career

BOXING: Former Commonwealth champ Martin Rogan has recovered from a career threatening injury that has kept him out of the ring for almost a year and will make a return in Limerick on November 6th.

And the popular Belfast heavyweight - who will box on the undercard to Kiko Martinez's European super-bantamweight title defence against Limerick southpaw Willie Casey - will be changing his nickname from "The Entertainer" to "Iron Man".

Rogan carried a serious neck injury in his last fight - a defeat to Norwich puncher Sam Sexton for the Commonwealth title in Belfast in November 2009 - but is now fighting fit and believes he can become the heavyweight division's "worst nightmare".

"The heavyweight division is a bit of a joke right now. You have a guy in Audley Harrison who I beat almost two years ago taking on David Haye for the world title in November so that tells you . . ."

Ireland secure runners-up spot

GOLF: Ireland finished runners-up in the Senior Women's Home International championship at Sherringham on the Norfolk Coast yesterday when they overcame Scotland 5-3.

The European semi-finalists improved as the week went on - a hammering by England on Tuesday was followed by a draw with Wales and then yesterday's superb win - and in the end they deserved second spot. England defeated Wales 5½-2½ to claim the title and the Triple crown.