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

O'Brien withdraws ban appeal

HORSE RACING: Star apprentice Joseph O'Brien has withdrawn his appeal against a three-day ban for his use of the whip at the Curragh last week, writes Brian O'Connor.

The son of champion trainer Aidan O’Brien had lodged an appeal against a suspension for his riding of Battleoftrafalgar nine days ago but has now decided not to go ahead with it.

O’Brien has also decided not to appeal against a two-day whip ban he incurred last week for a riding offence during the Listowel festival.

Merritt to miss 2012 Olympics

ATHLETICS: The International Olympic Committee have reaffirmed that 400 metres champion LaShawn Merritt will be ineligible to defend his title at the 2012 Olympics in London.

The 24-year-old was yesterday banned for 21 months, backdated to October last year, after failing three drugs tests, meaning he will be able to compete again on July 27th, 2011.

But a rule that came into force just before the Beijing Olympics in 2008 prevents any athlete banned for more than six months from competing in the following Games.

Toms leads Els by one as McDowell struggles

GOLF: Late replacement David Toms led Ernie Els by one and left Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer trailing well behind in the first round of the 36-hole Grand Slam at Port Royal in Bermuda yesterday.

The event was supposed to be between the winners of this season’s four majors, but Els came in for Masters champion Phil Mickelson and then Toms was contacted after Open champion Louis Oosthuizen stepped into a pothole and injured an ankle.

The American returned a five-under-par 67, but Els birdied the last to move right on to his heels while US Open champion McDowell had a one-over 72 and Kaymer a 74.

McDowell suffered a setback on the 436-yard 11th. The Irishman bunkered his approach and then thinned his third shot out of bounds, costing him a triple-bogey seven.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy is the star attraction at the Eyptian Open at the JW Marriott Mirage City Golf Club in Cairo. The event begins today and is the penultimate event of the European Challenge Tour season.

Kauto Star bound for Down Royal

HORSE RACING: Sizing Europe looks like he will have to tackle the mighty Kauto Star at Down Royal in just over two weeks' time in order to earn a ticket for Kempton's King George VI Chase on St Stephen's Day, writes Brian O'Connor.

Beaten by China Rock at Punchestown last week, Sizing Europe is still a possible contender for the King George despite doubts persisting about his ability to stay three miles.

Trainer Henry De Bromhead is targeting the JNwine.com Champion Chase on November 6th for Sizing Europe’s next start – the race in which the four-time King George hero Kauto Star is due to reappear.

“Punchestown didn’t confirm whether he stays three miles or not and we’ll now have a look at the Down Royal race where we should learn more,” said De Bromhead.

“His jumping was a little bit rusty but that will improve as we go on. He should come on a lot for the race in terms of fitness,” he added.

The King George is also a target for Tom Cooper’s high-class chaser Forpadydeplasterer who could return to action in the Fortria at Navan against his old rival Big Zeb.

“We are going to give him one cut off three miles this year and probably go for the King George. He gives himself every chance of staying,” said Cooper.

Duddy and Lee may fight in New York

BOXING: Former Irish senior champions Andy Lee and John Duddy will clash at Madison Square Garden in New York early in the new year – if the promoters put the right offer on the table.

Limerick southpaw Lee said yesterday his manager Emanuel Steward and Derry-born John Duddy’s manager Craig Hamilton had agreed to make the fight in January.

However, whether the middleweight showdown goes ahead depends on what offer New York-based promoters 360 Boxing come back with. Lee’s next fight before Duddy could be on the undercard to Wladimir Klitschko’s IBF/WBO heavyweight defence against Zimbabwe-born Londoner Dereck Chisora in Mannheim on December 11th.

“I might take a fight on the Wladimir undercard in Germany as I would like to get one more fight under my belt this year,” said 26-year old Lee. “Emanuel and John Duddy’s people have agreed to make the fight between myself and John.

“It will probably go ahead in New York in January, but that depends on what offer the promoters come back with.”

IFA president Kennedy resigns

SOCCER: Irish FA president Raymond Kennedy has resigned from his position with immediate effect after losing an IFA ruling council vote of no-confidence.

Kennedy had indicated he would consider his position after the council passed the motion by 29-14 on Monday night.

“I have given over 50 years of service to football in Northern Ireland and I have enjoyed every minute,” said Kennedy. “It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the association.”

Kennedy was criticised by an independent report into the unfair dismissal of chief executive Howard Wells which cost the IFA €570,000.