Briefs

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

Schwartzel leads by one in Thailand after seven birdies

GOLF:Thailand Championship: Seeking his first victory since he won the 2011 Masters, Charl Schwartzel shot a seven-under-par 65 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round. The South African made seven birdies in a bogey-free round at the Amata Spring Country Club, four coming in the opening seven holes, to lead Thitiphun Chuayprakong.

Masters champion Bubba Watson (68) had an eagle and six birdies to sit three shots off the lead, while defending champion Lee Westwood (70) was in 21st place alongside Darren Clarke. Sergio Garcia was in a share of 10th place after an opening 69.

Australian Open: John Senden made the most of benign early conditions to shoot a six-under-par 66 and take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the $1.25 million event at The Lakes Golf Course, Sydney. The Queenslander is two shots clear of world number four Justin Rose and four others after they carded 68s.

Nelson Mandela Championship: No play was possible on the opening day – the first event of the new European Tour season – in South Africa. Play was postponed until today because of a flooded Royal Durban course following further rain.

McIlroy's coach of 15 years wins award after successful season

PHILIPS SPORTS MANAGER OF THE MONTH:Michael Bannon, coach to Rory McIlroy, was yesterday named Philips Sports Manager of the month for November.

Bannon has been Rory's swing coach for the past 15 years and has recently received the 2012 UK High Performance Coach of the Year award in the non-Olympic category. He recently gave up his coaching position in Bangor GC to be available to Rory on a full-time basis.

McIlroy's season has seen him top both the PGA and European Tours' money lists with five victories, including a Major, and nine other top-five finishes including four runner-ups. Rory has also just been voted PGA Player of the Year.

Bannon has been McIlroy's coach since he was eight years old, firstly in Hollywood GC and latterly when Bannon moved to Bangor GC.

Walker settles for bronze at world youths

BOXING:Kurt Walker had to settle for bronze at the AIBA World Youth Championships in Yerevan, Armenia, yesterday after losing out to England's Oliver Simpson in the 52kg semi-final. Walker, who was trailing 9-5 entering the final round, produced a big finish against the Yorkshire flyweight, but his opponent held out for a 14-12 decision.

Simpson will now meet Jeyvier Cintron Ocasio of Puerto Rico in the final, who beat Cuba's Luis Cordero-Parlay yesterday.

Today Walker will be presented with his medal and Katie Taylor will collect the AIBA World Female Boxer of the Year Award for a third time.

Tyrone's Michael Gallagher will pick up his second AIBA World Referee and Judge Award.

Murphy makes most of errors from Brecel

SNOOKER:Shaun Murphy shattered the teenage dreams of Luca Brecel as he survived a nerve-wracking quarter-final at the UK Championship in York. Murphy looked beaten but 17-year-old Belgian Brecel twice faltered with victory in sight, missing pinks in the 10th and 11th frames to allow the 2008 UK champion to pinch a 6-5 win.

Murphy handed him a chance in the decider, missing the final red when it appeared he got a kick but Brecel left the cue ball the wrong side of the blue, and once he sank that ball, he could not get close enough to the pink. Brecel rattled the pink in the jaws and it rolled kindly for Murphy who seized the chance to win.

Murphy, 30, will today tackle Ali Carter in the first semi-final.

Newcomers Dublin Inter face tough National Cup debut

BASKETBALL:This weekend National Cup fever takes over the country as the SuperLeagues, senior and under-18 teams look to book their place in the semi-finals. Tomorrow, newcomers Dublin Inter face Bord Gáis Neptune under newly-appointed coach Irmantas Griksas.

Last year's champions and league leaders UL Eagles take on Killester in Limerick. Killester will come all guns blazing after the recent signing of Michael Bonaparte and a significant win over UCC Demons last weekend. UCD Marian travel to Galway in the hope they can ignite their cup ambition after a lacklustre league.

On Sunday, last year's defeated cup finalists, UCC Demons, take on DCU Saints who also missed out on the league title later that season. This match-up will prove a real test for both sides as their league tie in October saw the Cork side claim victory with a one-point win.

In the Women's SuperLeague last year's champions UL Huskies face resilient Singleton SuperValu Brunell tomorrow. With the Cork side their closest contenders so far this season the Huskies will have to bring their A game if they want to repeat last year's success.

Clancy signs two-year deal with Team Novo Nordisk

CYCLING:After Dan Martin with Garmin-Sharp, Nicolas Roche with Team Saxo-Tinkoff and the UnitedHealthcare duo of Philip Deignan and Martyn Irvine, Stephen Clancy is the latest Irish rider to be confirmed as racing with either a WorldTour or Pro Continental-level team in 2013.

He had long been rumoured to be on the list of potentials for the squad which was known as Team Type 1. Now renamed Team Novo Nordisk, he will be one of 17 riders on the team, joining on a two-year deal.

Clancy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes earlier this year. The team was set up in 2005 with the aim of proving diabetics could compete in top sports events and from 2013 it will be completely comprised of diabetics. The team's short-term goals are to ride many large events in the coming season, including the Tour of Britain and USA Pro Cycling Challenge, as well as clocking up five wins.

SHANE STOKES