Ireland poised for promotion

Tennis: Ireland's women's tennis team is poised for European promotion, barring injuries, according to a confident team manager Pete Lowther at the Espinho venue in Portugal where they open their bid against Malta in the restricted three nation draw which includes hosts Portugal.

The late withdrawals by Latvia, Romania and Holland have made Ireland's chances of a rare division one spot in the European Nation Team championship easier.

"In fact if we fail to Malta I will resign," quipped Lowther. Victory over Malta would put Ireland into Sunday's decider against Portugal. Both finalists will be promoted.

Equestrian: The Irish Dairy Board has confirmed it has renewed its sponsorship for next year's Dublin Horse Show, which will once again run with the Kerrygold prefix, writes Grania Willis. The Dairy Board has invested over £3 million in the Dublin fixture since it started backing the show in 1989. Show director Gerry McAuliffe stated yesterday that the Irish Dairy Board's financial backing for Dublin was the longest running sponsorship of a Nation's Cup show in the world.

Athletics: British Olympic sprinter Linford Christie will not defend himself when the International Amateur Athletic Federation challenges his acquittal on a doping charge by UK Athletics. UK Athletics accepted his defence against a charge that a urine sample taken from him in Germany last February contained metabolites of the banned steroid nandrolone. Christie's decision not to offer a defence is motivated as much because it's pointless for a 39year-old athlete who has retired and has no plans to compete again.

However, UK Athletics chief executive David Moorcroft has urged Christie to re-think his position. Moorcroft said: "He has to consider the consequences. We would urge that on him. OK, if he is finished with the sport it doesn't matter as much to him but if he wants to continue coaching he may find it awkward."

Snooker: Matthew Stevens from Wales last night joined world champion Stephen Hendry in the semi-finals of the Liverpool Victoria UK Championship after beating Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-3. Last year's runner-up reeled off four frames without reply yesterday after resuming with a 5-3 overnight advantage.