Thursday lunchtime headlines

GOLF Shane Lowry is one off the lead at the HSBC Champions event in China, he finished with a 6 under 66 following bogeys on the 17th and 18th. Phil Mickelson, Peter Hanson and Bubba Watson are also 6 under in the clubhouse Louis Oozsethazen and Adam Scott share the lead on 7 under. Graeme Mc Dowell is ended on 1 under after a 71. Shane will tee off his second round at 10 past 1 Irish time tomorrow morning SOCCER Bad news for Arsenal ahead of their trip to Manhchester United as it's been revealed striker Gervinho will miss the next 3 weeks. The forward has an ankle injury. Chelsea say they're investigating an apparent monkey gesture made by a supporter during last night's League Cup tie against Manchester United. A picture has emerged, which shows the spectator in the same frame as United's Danny Welbeck. League Two Bradford have been given a plum tie against Arsenal in the quarter finals of the League Cup. After upsetting Southampton, Leeds will take on European champions Chelsea. Swansea have been given a home tie against Middlesbrough, and Norwich will face Aston Villa. Mick McCarthy is the new manager of Ipswich. The former Sunderland and Wolves boss succeeds Paul Jewell, who departed after a poor start to the Championship campaign. RUGBY Buccaneers begin life under new coach Tony Dolan this Saturday afternoon with a trip to Ballymena With Hendre Marnitz leaving the Midlands club to join Super 15 franchise the Blue Bulls in his native South Africa as defence coach it means a second spell at the helm for Dolan Buccs are currently 7th in the All-Ireland League Division One B with two defeats and one win so far Saturday's match kicks off at 2.30 There's also a 2.30 kick off at Spollenstown as Tullamore host Enniscorthy in Division One A of the Leinster League Tullamore go into the game 6 points clear at the top of the table and on the back of an All-Ireland Junior Cup win over Ballymoney last weekend On Sunday lunchtime Portlaoise's ladies team have a home game against New Ross in Division Two South of the All-Ireland League Portlaoise have a 9 point lead at the league's summit In Division One B of the Leinster League Portarlington seek a third win in a row when they play second placed Monkstown at Sydney Parade Roscrea slipped off the top of 2A on weekend four and they look to bounce back with a home game against Gorey Portlaoise lie second from bottom in the third flight and host leaders Kilkenny Mullingar, without a win in three, host Clane Edenderry travel to runaway Division Two B leaders Railway Union Railway have racked up over 100 points in their opening 4 wins There's a top of the table clash in Division Three as Birr welcome Wexford to Riverside, Birr go into the game two points ahead of the men from the south east And Midland Warriors seek their first win of the season, they're away to Tallaght Sunday's games in the Leinster League kick off at 2.30 Munster's Denis Hurley has been called-up to the Ireland squad for the upcoming November International Series. Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll went under the knife for his ankle ligament surgery today and Hurley has now been called-up by head coach Declan Kidney to provide extra cover among the backs. Ronan O'Gara has been made available to play for Munster this weekend after being released from the training camp. The out-half is now likely to start Friday's trip to face the Cardiff Blues in the Pro-12, while head coach Rob Penney will have to decide whether or not to throw CJ Stander straight into the mix after the South African flanker's arrival in Limerick ATHLETICS Anne Keenan Buckley has resigned from her position as manager of Ireland's cross country teams. The Laois native had been in the position since 2006 and says disillusionment with the high performance management and the direction it's taking. In Keenan Buckley's time as manager Ireland won a European Under 23 team title and Fionnuala Britton took individual gold last year Her resignation comes just 6 weeks before this year's European Cross Country in Budapest BADMINTON Jonathan Dolan has bowed out of the World Junior Badminton He lost to top seed Viktor Axelsen from Denmark in straight sets It was a first major tournament for Dolan, who is currently ranked Irish No 2 behind Scott Evans. RACING Mountrath's Liam Cusack was celebrating at Punchestown last evening after Last Time D’Albain landed a gamble in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle. Backed into 7-4 favourite after being double those odds earlier in the day, Last Time D’Albain was given a power-packed ride from Ruby Walsh to beat Followmeuptocarlow by two lengths. Last Time D’Albain is owned by the Fontstown Syndicate. Clonmel hosts a seven race card from 1.25 this afternoon with the going yielding to soft in places at the Tipperary venue Gates Of Rome and Crash from the Gigginstown House Stud in Westmeath are among the favourites for the Wilderness Chase at 5 to 3

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