Wednesday morning sport

SOCCER

Theo Walcott inspired Arsenal to bounce-back from four-nil down to beat Reading by seven goals to five after extra-time in an incredible League Cup shoot-out at the Madejski Stadium.

In the only all-Premier League tie of the night, Walcott scored in the 96th minute to force extra-time and then bagged a dramatic winner in stoppage time in the added time.

Irish international Noel Hunt was among the goal-scorers as Reading charged into a commanding four-nil lead before Walcott pulled one back before half-time.
 
Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny set-up a tense finale to normal time, which was capped by a deflected shot from Walcott was was judged to have crossed the line.

Marouane Chamakh then put Arsenal 5-4 ahead before Pavel Pogrebnyak thought he had forced the game into a penalty shoot-out.

There was still time for Walcott to claim his hat-trick before Chamakh put an extra gloss on the scoreline.


Wigan, Sunderland and Southampton all crashed-out to lower-league opponents.

Wigan were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Bradford after a scoreless draw at the DW Stadium.

Sunderland suffered a north-east derby defeat after losing 1-0 to Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.
Scott McDonald's first-half goal gave the Championship side a shock victory over Martin O'Neill's side.

Leeds thrashed Southampton by three goals to nil at Elland Road.

Aston Villa scored a 90th minute winner to beat Swindon Town, 3-2.

Tonight Chelsea host Manchester United, Liverpool play Swansea and Norwich take on Spurs.


Dundalk and Waterford United played out a two-all draw in the first-leg of this season's Airtricity League promotion/relegation play-off.

The Lilywhites took the lead, against the run of play, at Oriel Park when Lorcan Shannon scored after 22 minutes, Shannon finished from 10 yards out after Chris Reilly's cross.

The home side were reduced to ten men 11 minutes later when Stephen Maher was sent-off after lashing-out at Waterford's Peter Higgins.

Waterford drew level shortly after the start of the second-half when Paul Phelan equalised with a thumping header from a cross by Higgins.

The visitors then went ahead after Ben Ryan scored with another header on the hour mark.

Dundalk pulled themselves level through Stephen McDonnell with 15 minutes remaining and neither side could find a winner ahead of next Friday's second leg at the RSC.


Celtic have cruised into the Scottish League Cup semi-finals beating St.Johnstone 5-0. Kris Commons scored a hat-trick while Charlie Mulgrew and Gary Hooper got the others.

St Mirren are also into the semi-finals after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Aberdeen.


It's being reported that Mick McCarthy will be appointed Ipswich manager in the coming days.

It's expected that he'll hire former Ipswich midfielder Matt Holland as his assistant.


Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has ruled himself out of the running to take over the Blackburn manager's job.

Redknapp was thought to be one of the front-runners to take charge of the Championship side since the departure of Steve Kean.


Manchester City defender Micah Richards has been told that he's now facing up to 16 weeks on the sidelines after knee surgery.

The 24-year-old was initially expecting to be absent for just eight weeks.


GAELIC GAMES

Tyrone defender Ryan McMcMenamin has announced his retirement.

Cork goalkeeper Alan Quirke will miss the bulk of next years league campaign.

The 36 year old All Ireland winning stopper will be on peace keeping duty on the Lebannon and won't be back until April.


Mick O'Dwyer is expected to become the Clare senior football manager next week

The former Leinster Championship winner with Laois will be 77 next June

O'Dwyer has been managing his local club Waterville in the past year


GOLF

Shane Lowry's bid to break the world's top 50 by year's end continues tomorrow morning as he takes part in the lucrative HSBC Champions event

It's been an October to remember for the Clara native as he won the Portugal Masters, his first tour win as a pro and also became the top ranked golfer from the Republic of Ireland

Shane tees off his first round at 20 past 2 Irish time in the morning


RUGBY UNION

Ireland's chances of a successful November International Series have been dealt a blow by the forced withdrawal of two more of our first-choice players.

Brian O'Driscoll and Rory Best have joined Rob Kearney and Sean O'Brien on the absentee list for the matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.

O'Driscoll also looks set to miss Leinster's crucial Heineken Cup double-header against Clermont Auvergne in December after being told that he needs surgery to repair ankle ligament damage, which is likely to keep him out of action for up to three months.

The Ireland captain picked-up the injury during last Saturday's win over the Cardiff Blues, but it was initially thought to be a simple ankle sprain before scans showed-up the full extent of the injury.

Best has been told that he sprained ligaments in his neck during last Friday's Pro-12 win over the Dragons, which means that he's facing up to six weeks rest.


Heineken Cup organisers the ERC have announced that they're now considering three different versions of the tournament from 2014 on-wards.

After another meeting of the competition's stakeholders in Dublin yesterday, the ERC have been asked to carry out in-depth studies of three potential models - including a continuation of the existing 24-team format.

The two possible changes would be for a 20-club or a 32-club Heineken Cup for the 2014/2015 season.

The ERC say that they'll take six weeks to make an evaluation before the next stakeholder meeting in December.

Chris Robshaw will captain England for the autumn rugby union internationals.

The Harlequins flanker had the job during the Six Nations and tour of South Africa, though he was replaced for one test by Dylan Hartley because of injury.

BASKETBALL

Young Midlanders Sean Smith and Sean Kavanagh have been selected on the Irish Under 15 basketball squad

The team begin training in Dublin tomorrow
While Portlaoise Panthers host Team Tom McCarthys St Marys at 7.30 this Saturday in the National League Women's Division One

Portlaoise have one win and one loss so far this season, Tom McCarthy's St Mary's lead the way with a 2 and 1 record

RACING

The eagerly-awaited chasing debut of Oscars Well is the highlight of a seven-race jumps card at Punchestown this afternoon.

The action begins at 12.45pm and the going is soft, soft to heavy in places.

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Hurling All Stars

Congratulations to Westmeath native Shane Fennell who has been named on the Nicky Rackard Champion 15 and Karl Lacey (of Laois stock) on being named footballer of the year.

Footballer of the Year – Karl Lacey, Donegal
Young Footballer of the Year – Cillian O’Connor – Mayo

Hurler of the Year- Henry Shefflin, Kilkenny
Young Hurler of the Year – Johnny Coen, Galway

Other Player of Year Awards

Christy Ring

Brian Costello (London)

Nicky Rackard

Paul Gaffney (Armagh)

Lory Meagher

Sean Óg Grogan (Tyrone)

Hurling All Stars

Goalkeeper

1. Anthony Nash (Cork)

Full back line

2. Paul Murphy (Kilkenny)
3. JJ Delaney (Kilkenny)
4. Fergal Moore (Galway)

Half back line
5. Brendan Bugler (Clare)
6. Brian Hogan (Kilkenny)
7. David Collins (Galway)

Midfield

8. Iarla Tannian (Galway)
9. Kevin Moran (Waterford)

Half forward line

10. TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
11. Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny)
12. Damien Hayes (Galway)

Full forward line
13. John Mullane (Waterford)
14. Joe Canning (Galway)
15. David Burke (Galway)

Christy Ring Champion 15 Award Recipients

London

Brian Costello
Jonathan Maher
Eddie Walsh
Ger Fennelly

Wicklow

Eamonn Kearns
Jonathan O’Neill
Ronan Keddy

Down

Paul Braniff
Conor Woods

Meath

Willie Mahady
Steven Clynch

Kildare

Mark Moloney

Derry

Alan Grant

Mayo

Donal O’Brien

Kerry

Paud Costello

Nicky Rackard Champion 15 Award Recipients

Armagh

Paul Gaffney
Kieran McKernan
Conor Corvan
Ciaran Clifford

Louth

Shane Fennell
Brian Corcoran
Donagh O’Sullivan

Donegal

Ardal McDermott
Lee Henderson

Roscomon

Sean Melia
Brian Donnelly

Monaghan

Brian McGuigan
Trevor Hilliard

Sligo

Damien Burke
Jamie Kenny

Lory Meagher Champion 15 Awards

Tyrone

Justin Kelly
John Devlin
Sean Óg Grogan
Conor Grogan

Fermanagh

Ryan Bogue
John Duffy
Sean Corrigan

Leitrim

Clement Cunniffe
Kevin McGrath
Patrick McManus

Warwickshire

David Neylon
Mike Ivors
Kieran Courtney

Longford

John Newman
Ciarán Finucane

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Connacht and Leinster teams named

Athlone's Rob Henshaw starts at centre for Connacht in tomorrow's away game with Pro 12 holders Ospreys at Liberty Stadium tomorrow
Fellow teenager Darragh Leader comes in at full back for his first competitive start in the 2.30 kick off

Leinster have named an all Irish starting 15 for tomorrow evenings' clash with Cardiff at the RDS (KO: 6.30pm)

Jonathan Sexton makes his 98th appearance and needs just 5 points to pass the 500 career mark in league games

CONNACHT: 15. Darragh Leader 14. Tiernan O'Halloran 13. Robbie Henshaw 12. Mata Fifita 11. Fetu'u Vainikolo; 10. Dan Parks 9. Kieran Marmion; 1. Brett Wilkinson 2. Jason Harris-Wright 3. Nathan White (captain); 4. Michael Swift 5. George Naoupu; 6. John Muldoon 7. Willie Faloon 8. Eoin McKeon

LEINSTER: 15: Ian Madigan 14: David Kearney 13: Brian O'Driscoll 12: Gordon D'Arcy 11: Fergus McFadden; 10: Jonathan Sexton 9: Eoin Reddan; 1: Cian Healy 2: Richardt Strauss 3: Mike Ross; 4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN, 5: Devin Toner; 6: Kevin McLaughlin; 7: Jordi Murphy 8: Jamie Heaslip

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Friday morning headlines

GOLF

Clara's Shane Lowry has played himself into contention at the BMW Masters in China

The Portugal Masters champion shot a stunning second round of 64 this morning to move to 8 under par

Peter Hanson leads at 13 under with defending champion Rory McIlroy currently second at 11 under

“It was great,” said Lowry, who was 48th in the 78-man field after an opening 72. “A bogey free 64 is always nice and it to do it in a big tourament like this. I felt like I needed to shoot a good score, at least five under, to be somewhere up there going into the weekend.

“I was three under and cruising after nine and then made four on the spin [from the 13th] on the back nine, which was nice and I missed a couple of opportunities on the way in at 17 and 18.”

On the PGA Tour, Robert Garrigus has a two shot lead after day 2 of the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.

The American finished up on 14 under par while Tiger Woods is back on 9 under.

GAELIC GAMES

It's take two for Garrycastle and Mullingar Shamrocks at Cusack Park this Sunday afternoon 

Lorcan Smyth inspired Shamrocks came back from 9 points down to earn a draw last Sunday and manager Ray Smyth wants them to finish the job this weekend

Leinster Club footballer of the year Dessie Dolan remains a doubt for Garrycastle, the former All-Star forward has been nursing a hamstring strain and suffered a dead leg in last Sunday's Final

Garrycastle boss Paul Clancy says they need to manage his injury carefully

Sunday's replay throws in at 2.30 and we'll have commentary on the Inside Line with thanks to Ganlys 

Offaly football champions Rhode welcome St Pats of Louth to O'Connor Park in the opening round of the Leinster Championship this Sunday

The village have a full panel to pick from and manager Gerry Hickey says he was a great group of players going into the Leinster campaign

Sunday's game throws in at 2.30 and we'll have commentary on the Inside Line with thanks to Ryan's Pharamacy Rhode and Aut Even Hospital Kilkenny

Mountrath Community School defeated Naas C.B.S by 5-11 to 6-6 in the Leinster Post Primary Schools Senior B Schools hurling yesterday afternoon

Mercy Kilbeggan drew with Scoil Mhuire Clane after extra time in the North Leinster C Hurling Final

CAMOGIE

Shinrone aim to become the first Offaly club to win the Leinster Club Intermediate Camogie championship this Saturday afternoon

The south Offaly club won their first county title in four years a fortnight ago and defeated Wexford's Buffers Alley in the Leinster Semi Finals last weekend

Shinrone travel to face the Rower Instioge of Kilkenny at 2.30 tomorrow and we’ll have updates here on Midlands 103 with thanks to Scally's Centra Shinrone

SOCCER

The Airtricity League Premier Division season comes to a close tonight.

Champions Sligo Rovers will lift the trophy after their game with Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Drogheda know a win away to Bohemians will secure second place but St. Pat's can still finish runners up if they win at home to Cork City and Drogheda slip up at Dalymount Park.

Elsewhere UCD host Shelbourne while Bray Wanderers are away to Dundalk.

Meanwhile Waterford United have a 2-0 lead over Longford Town going into the second leg of the First Division promotion playoff.

All those games kick off at 7.45.

Athlone Town's Val Feeney and Daniel Molloy will represent Leinster's Under 17s against Munster at Ferrycarrig Park at 7 O'Clock this evening

Leinster will play Connacht at 1.30 in Bunclody tomorrow and finish up against Ulster at Kilmuckridge at 11.30 on Sunday

Liverpool and Newcastle are both on course to advance to the group stages of the Europa League.

Stewart Downing scored the only goal at Anfield as Liverpool beat Anzhi of Russia 1-0 to move top of Group A.

Newcastle are top of Group D after a 1-0 win at home to Club Bruge - Gabriel Obertan scored early in the second-half.

Tottenham drew 1-1 in Slovenia with NK Maribor to make it three draws from three in Group J.

Gylfi Sigurdsson equalised for Spurs in the second half.

Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama is on collision course with the club over a new contract.

The Kenyan has turned down an extension to his current deal which runs till 2015.

His agent is quoted as saying the 21-year old is happy in his job, but feels like he lost out on a big wage improvement in the summer when the SPL champions reportedly turned down a Premier League club.

Motherwell face Hibernian tonight in the SPL, with a win for the home side taking them third in the table.

If the visitors pick up a victory, they'll move second.

The last time this fixture was played on a Friday night back in December last year, it was abandoned at half time due to a power failure.

RUGBY

Munster and Ulster are both in Rabo Direct Pro12 action tonight.

Table toppers Ulster are away to the Dragons at 5 past 7 while Munster host Zebre at 7.45

Tommy Bowe starts at 15 for Ulster with a view to playing at full back for Ireland in the Autumn Internationals

Felix Jones has a chance to impress at 15 for Munster while Peter O'Mahony will be tried out at openside flanker

Bottom of the league Sale travel to Worcester in the English Premiership this evening, with just one point to their name.

The Sharks are still looking for their first top-flight win of the season, after losing all six league games, and they remain eight points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are ninth on eleven points.

On Saturday evening Tullamore rugby club begin their defence of the All-Ireland Junior Cup title with a home tie against Ballymoney

Tullamore go into the game in fine form ahead of the game with the Antrim side having won their first 5 games in Division One A of the Leinster League to establish a six point lead

Kick off at Spollenstown is 5.30pm

It's also a Saturday night light's game at Dubarry Park as Buccaneers host Dungannon in Division One B of the All-Ireland League

The Tyrone men, who narrowly missed out on promotion last year, did the double over Buccs last season

The Pirates have one win and one defeat so far this season while Dungannon are searching for their first win

Kick off at Dubarry Park is 7pm

We'll have updates from both games on In Play here on Midlands 103

BOXING

The world of boxing has being paying tribute to legendary trainer, Emanuel Steward who sadly passed away at the age of 68.

Steward trained a record total of 43 world champions including Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Thomas Hearns and Wladimir Klitschko.

He also trained Irish middleweight Andy Lee throughout his professional career.

CYCLING

Ireland's top cyclist, Nicolas Roche believes that UCI President Pat McQuaid shouldn't be the only person to blame for the sport's failure to uncover the culture of doping that existed during the Lance Armstrong era.

Three time Tour de France winner Greg Le Mond is the latest former rider looking for McQuaid to step down after the US Anti-Doping Agency revealed that Armstrong had been at the centre of the biggest doping conspiracy in the history of sport.

Roche admits that McQuaid has questions to answer, but he's not sure that he's the only one

Team Sky's race coach Bobby Julich has quit the British-based team after he admitted to having taken a banned substance during his time as a professional rider in the late 90's. The American finished third overall in the 1998 Tour de France and also won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics after Tyler Hamilton's disqualification.

In the wake of the US Postal scandal, Sky have introduced a zero-tolerance approach for all its employees.

TENNIS

Rafa Nadal's return to tennis has been postponed once again after the Spaniard withdrew from the ATP World Tour Finals in London because of his long-standing knee injury.

The 11-time Grand Slam champion hasn't played since his surprise second round defeat to Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon but is now expected to return to action at the end of December ahead of next year's Australian Open.

BASEBALL

Pablo Sandoval became just the fourth player to hit three home runs in a World Series game as he helped the San Francisco Giants to beat the Detroit Tigers 8-3 to win game one of this year's World Series.

RACING

There’s a Friday night treat for racing fans at Dundalk as Ireland’s only all-weather track plays host to an eight-race card, featuring the €40,000 Listed Mercury Stakes which is an absolute cracker. The action gets going at 6.00pm and the going is standard.

Rhode jockey Pat Smullen will try to close the 7 win gap on Joseph O’Brien as the flat jockey’s championship race enters its final straight

 There are plenty of household names in the aforementioned Mercury Stakes, which is due off at 8.00pm, and none more so than former Aussie sprinter Starspangledbanner, who is already a Group 1 winner for Aidan O’Brien.

There is a strong British challenge among the 14 runners as Kingsgate Native, Borderlescott and Liber all make the journey across the water.

 Eddie Lynam has a superb record at Dundalk and the Dunshaughlin trainer is doubly-represented in the €20,000 Foley's Antiques Naas Handicap (7.00pm) with Duff and Muck N’Brass.

The opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Race (6.00pm) is an interesting affair but it’s hard to get away from top-weight Colour Of Love who relishes the all-weather surface and arrives in top form.

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Shane Lowry interview

Shane Lowry speaking after his 8 under par round in China this morning

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Black or Red - Michael Duignan interview

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Thursday Morning Headlines

GAA

As expected all Ireland champions Donegal dominate the GAA/GPA Opel All Star team for 2012.

Beaten All-Ireland finalists Mayo have been awarded four while Cork have two and Dublin have one.

Paul Durcan, Neil McGee, Karl Lacey, Frank Mc Glynn, Neil Gallagher, Mark Mc Hugh, Michael Murphy and Colm Mc Fadden are the 8 players rewarded for the champions.

Laois midfielder Brendan Quigley had been nominated but the midfield spots went to Neil Gallagher and Aidan Walsh

+++Team: 1. Paul Durcan (Donegal); 2. Neil McGee (Donegal), 3. Ger Cafferkey (Mayo), 4. Keith Higgins (Mayo); 5. Lee Keegan (Mayo), 6. Karl Lacey (Donegal), 7. Frank McGlynn (Donegal); 8. Neil Gallagher (Donegal), 9. Aidan Walsh (Cork);10. Paul Flynn (Dublin), 11. Alan Dillon (Mayo), 12. Mark McHugh (Donegal); 13. Colm O'Neill (Cork),14. Michael Murphy (Donegal),15. Colm McFadden (Donegal)+++

Shane Sullivan, Alan McNamee and Anton Sullivan are expected to be fit to start for Rhode's Leinster Club Championship opener against Louth's St Pats this Sunday

The 25 times Offaly Senior football winners followed up their Dowling Cup success by adding the league title last weekend

Sunday's game throws in at 2.30 and we'll have commentary on the Inside Line with thanks to Ryan's Pharmacy, Rhode and Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny

The Irish Independent reports that Kilkenny and Galway will receive €50,000 each from the All-Ireland Hurling Final Replay

That would represent less than 2 per cent of the €3m gate

GOLF

Shane Lowry has shot a level par opening round 72 at the BWM Masters in China

The Portugal Masters champion carded four birdies but also had a triple bogey on the third and a bogey on 17

Michael Hoey and defending champion Rory McIlroy at five under, that's five behind leader Jamie Donaldson

Graeme McDowell closed three under, Darren Clarke is one over while Paul McGinley goes into day two at two over.

Padraig Harrington is celebrating following his win at the Grandslam event in Bermuda, he finished one shot clear of Webb Simpson in the 4 man event after a final round of 67.

SOCCER

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini accepted it would take a "miracle" for his team to reach the Champions League knockout stages after Wednesday night's costly defeat at Ajax.

A 3-1 loss has left them bottom of Group D at its midway point.

City next face Ajax again at the Etihad Stadium in a fortnight before hosting Real Madrid and then travelling to Borussia Dortmund.

"It is very difficult to qualify now," Mancini said. "It would be a miracle."
Mancini sought to deflect attention from his under-performing players by blaming himself for the loss.
The Italian said: "It is my fault. I didn't prepare well for the game and I take the blame.

"I thought in one way and it was different. When you prepare in one way and it is a different game, it is difficult.

"We had more chances to score and in the Champions League you need to score. It is my fault, I repeat."
In the other game in the group Borussia Dortmund won 2-1 against Real Madrid

Arsenal slumped to a 2-0 home Champions League defeat against Schalke - their first in the competition at Emirates Stadium since 2009.

Jan Klaas Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay found the net in the closing 15 minutes to give the Bundesliga side the win and top spot in Group B, one point ahead of the Gunners

Olympiakos won 2-1 away to Montpellier in the group’s other match

Malaga extended their lead at the top of Group C to three points as they beat AC Milan 1-0, Joaquin grabbing the only goal of the game in the 64th minute from a through-ball by Manuel Iturra.
Also in Group C, Zenit St Petersburg emerged as serious contenders with a 1-0 win over Anderlecht in Russia.

Alexander Kerzhakov netted a 72nd-minute winner from the penalty spot after Milan Jovanovic fouled Alexander Anyukov in the box.

In Group A, Porto maintained their 100 per cent record with a 3-2 win over Dynamo Kiev in Portugal.

The visitors twice struck back from behind with Oleg Gusev and Ideye Brown cancelling out strikes from Silvestre Varela and Jackson Martinez respectively, before Martinez's second won the game 12 minutes from time.

Also in Group A, PSG moved clear in second place with a 2-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring on 32 minutes and Jeremy Menez made it two before half-time.

Tonight in the Europa league Liverpool host Anzhi Makhachkala while Newcastle host Clubbe Brugge and Spurs travel to Maritimo.

The Tottenham game starts at 6 while the other two start at five past eight.

Nani has admitted that he does not know if he has a future at Manchester United, claiming "only God knows what awaits me".

The Portugal international has started just five games so far this season and is rejecting claims fitness issues are keeping him out of the team, "I am in perfect condition - I am physically good and feeling confident. I am the same Nani as always,"

Alan Curbishley is the favourite with the bookies to be the next Ipswich manager.

The club are searching for a replacement for Paul Jewell, who left the Championship strugglers yesterday.

Harry Redknapp, Mick McCarthy and Owen Coyle are also contending.

SHINTY

Westmeath's Joe Clarke says Ireland are determined to finish the job in the second leg of this year's shinty international with Scotland in Ennis on Saturday

The Castletown Geoghegan clubman was on the Irish team along with Offaly's Shane Dooley and his Lake County teammates Eoin Price and Brendan Murtagh in their 3-10 to 2-9 win over the Scots at Inverness last weekend

Clarke admits Scotland's two late goals leaves things in the balance

Laois youngsters Nathan Unwin and Patrick Flynn and Westmeath forward Niall O'Brien are part of the Ireland Under 21 team to face Scotland in Ennis tomorrow night (7pm throw in)

RUGBY UNION

On Saturday evening Tullamore rugby club begin their defence of the All-Ireland Junior Cup title with a home tie against Ballymoney

Tullamore go into the game in fine form ahead of the game with the Antrim side having won their first 5 games in Division One A of the Leinster League to establish a six point lead

Kick off at Spollenstown is 5.30pm

It's also a Saturday night light's game at Dubarry Park as Buccaneers host Dungannon in Division One B of the All-Ireland League

The Tyrone men, who narrowly missed out on promotion last year, did the double over Buccs last season

The Pirates have one win and one defeat so far this season while Dungannon are searching for their first win

Kick off at Dubarry Park is 7pm

We'll have updates from both games on In Play here on Midlands 103

ATHLETICS

Ballymore Olympian Joseph Murphy will be among the athletes set to be based at the new National Sports Campus at Abbotstown

Horse Sport Ireland and Pentathlon Ireland are developing facilities at the 520 acre site next Spring

Murphy competed at his first Olympics in London this summer

CRICKET

England Test cricket captain Alastair Cook says it's time to move on from the recent controversy surrounding Kevin Pietersen.

The batsman was dropped from the squad after sending texts to opposition players during the recent series against South Africa.

He's returned for the upcoming tour of India, and Cook says it's great to have him back.

CYCLING

The changes to next year's Tour de France route mean defending champion Bradley Wiggins is no longer the favourite.

The Tour includes more up-hill and mountain stages to celebrate the centenary of the event, which puts the Spanish climber Alberto Contador as the bookies' current pick.

Mark Cavendish believes that cycling is among the cleanest and most-tested sports in the world at the moment, but the sprint specialist did call on Lance Armstrong to admit his involvement in doping.

RACING

Thurles plays host to an eight-race National Hunt card this afternoon, beginning at 1.45pm.

The going is yielding, yielding to soft in places.

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