Former Dublin footballer Brian Mullins, who is currently a teacher at Carndonagh Community School, Co Donegal, is set to replace the late Dr Tony O'Neill as director of sport at University College Dublin.

The appointment is expected to be ratified by UCD's governing body next week.

Between 1974 and 1979, Mullins played in midfield for Dublin in six All-Ireland finals, winning three of them. "UCD has undergone significant developments in its sports facilities and I would hope to be able to contribute to the future of sport in the college," Mullins said last night.

Cycling: David McCann went close to winning yesterday's 215km third stage of the Tour of Egypt, narrowly missing out in a sprint with Turkish rider Sergey Lavremenko. Eugene Moriarty was next best of the Irish in seventh place, six seconds behind the leading duo.

Cycling: Italy's Matteo Tosatto, with the Fassa Bortolo team, won the 194km fifth stage of the Paris-Nice race between Berre l'Etang in Sisteron.

Cricket: India won the first of five one-day internationals against South Africa in Cochin, India, by three wickets with a thrilling last-over victory that ended in controversy and confusion.

Robin Singh hit the winning run with two balls to spare as India ended on 302 for seven, after South Africa had set them a daunting 301 target.

A controversial no-ball decision in the last over was followed by confusion when Anil Kumble struck a four to win the game, only for the match referee to rule that the fielder had prevented the ball crossing the boundary.

The two teams, who had left the pitch amid ecstatic celebrations by the home supporters, had to return to the field to finish off the game.