Harrington favourite for RTÉ sports star of 2008

SPORTS DIGEST:RTÉ SPORT has announced a shortlist of nine candidates for their 2008 sports person of the year, writes Gavin Cummiskey.

British Open and USPGA champion Pádraig Harrington is the obvious favourite but he has some decent competition from the boxing world, where Olympic silver medallist Kenny Egan and world lightweight champion Katie Taylor are also nominated.

In a fine year for Irish sport the other candidates are champion horse trainer, with 23 Group 1 successes, Aidan O'Brien; Gaelic Footballer of the Year and International Rules captain Seán Cavanagh; Kilkenny hurler Eoin Larkin; Munster and Ireland outhalf Ronan O'Gara; Paralympic two-time gold medal winner Jason Smyth and Bohemians goalkeeper Brian Murphy.

The shortlist for Team of the Year includes European Cup champions Munster, the Kilkenny hurlers, the Tyrone footballers, the Irish amateur golf team, the Cork camogie panel and Bohemians football club. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, televised live on RTÉ 1, on December 21st.

Caddie's comments 'inappropriate'

TIGER WOODS has expressed disappointment over derogatory comments made by his long-time caddie Steve Williams about fellow American golfer Phil Mickelson.

World number one Woods said he had dealt with the matter, describing words attributed to Williams in a New Zealand newspaper as "inappropriate".

New Zealander Williams was quoted by the Taranaki Daily Newson Saturday as saying: "I wouldn't call Mickelson a great player . . . 'cause I hate the p****." The following day, Williams told the Sunday Star-Timesthe quote was accurate, while adding he was surprised his comments made during a charity event had reached the public.

Henman to test Wimbledon roof

WIMBLEDON HAVE confirmed plans to hold an exhibition event on Centre Court to test conditions under the new roof ahead of next year's championships. The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 17th and could feature former British number one Tim Henman.

The club's chief executive, Ian Ritchie, said: "We need to get 15,000 people inside to test the humidity. It's a roof over a grass court and we need it to be absolutely bone dry."

Seymour success

MULTIPLE national champion Robin Seymour took the final round of the 2008 Supercross and the league. Seymour battled with Conor McConvey throughout the final round in St Anne's Park before triumphing by three seconds.

Paul O'Reilly was over two and a half minutes back in third place, while Conor Campbell and Aiden McDonald rounded out the top five.

Seymour amassed 116 points during the four races, finishing comfortably ahead of Neil Delahaye's 80. McConvey was two points further back in third. Evan Ryan, Conor Campbell and Richie Felle took places four through to six.

Cáit Elliot beat Francine Meehan, Rachel Wisdom and Louise Harliwich to win the women's final round. Meehan was best in the overall competition, 12 points ahead of Wisdom and 30 up on Celia Saville.

Supercross 2008, round four(St Anne's Park, Dublin): Senior men: 1 R Seymour 46 mins 6 secs; 2 C McConvey 46:09 secs; 3 P O'Reilly 48:44 secs. Women: 1 C Elliot; 2 F Meehan; 3 R Wisdom. U12: D Byrne; U14: S Wrigley; U16: C Clarke. Final points; Men: 1 Seymour, 116; 2 Delahaye, 80; 3 C McConvey, 78. Women: 1 Meehan, 86; 2 Wisdom, 74; 3, C Saville, 56. U16: 1 Clarke, 90; 2, R Scanlon, 30; 3 A Lawler, 26

Nacewa returns to face Munster

Leinster A v Munster A Donnybrook, 2.30

Leinster seek to address two comprehensive home defeats to Munster, at senior and A level, this season when they entertain their southern neighbours at Donnybrook this afternoon, writes Gavin Cummiskey.

The most notable inclusion in a young Leinster backline sees Isa Nacewa back at outhalf as the Kiwi seeks to regain full fitness and also put pressure on the incumbent Johnny Sexton ahead of the Ulster fixture at Ravenhill on December 27th.

The ever-improving Seán O'Brien is named on the openside flank, while Stephen Keogh captains the team from number eight.

Munster have named their latest backrow signing, Nick Williams, on the bench, while Denis Hurley is at fullback between veteran wingers Anthony Horgan and the out of favour Brian Carney.

LEINSTER: F Jones; G Brown, E O'Malley, F McFadden, S Keogh; I Nacewa, C Keane; R McCormack, J Fogarty, J Hagen; C Jowitt, T Hogan; K McLaughlin, S O'Brien, S Keogh (capt). Replacements: R Burke-Flynn/R Murphy, B Blaney, E Sheriff, J Harris-Wright, D Moore, P O'Donohoe, K Tonetti, N Morris.

MUNSTER: D Hurley; A Horgan, K Lewis, E Ryan, B Carney; P Warwick, M Prendergast; D Ryan, D Fogarty, T Ryan; M Melbourne, D Foley; B Holland, J O'Sullivan, J Coughlan. Replacements: M Essex, S Archer, I Nagle, T O'Donnell, N Williams, D Williams, J Manning, C O'Boyle.