Sports Digest/GOAL OF THE YEAR: First it was A Nation Once Again by the Wolfe Tones triumphing in the BBC search to find the greatest song of all time, and next it could be a penalty goal that wins the Gaelic Games Goal of the Year in a poll organised by TG4.
A powerfully-struck penalty by Cork ladies football star Valerie Mulcahy in the All-Ireland final against Galway has been included in the shortlist of 10 goals in TG4's search to find the best goal of the year.
The goal is voted on by fans who can either text TG4 or log onto www.tg4.ie
Now some Armagh fans on a GAA chatboard have latched onto her goal as their choice - just to keep Tyrone's Eoin Mulligan out of the frame.
Mulligan's effort against Dublin is considered by many people to be one of the greatest goals scored in Croke Park in the last 25 years, let alone during 2005.
TG4's Sports Editor Ronan O'Coisdealbha defended the decision to include the penalty: "Our judges produced the shortlist of 10 candidates, and this was included. It was a very well-struck shot by Valerie," he said.
The voting closes on Tuesday, December 13th, and the winner will be announced on a special Christmas Day programme.
New deal for Griffin
CYCLING: Paul Griffin reaped the benefits of a strong 2005 season when he signed a new and improved two-year deal with the Giant Asia squad this week, writes Shane Stokes. Fellow Irishman David McCann has also been offered an extension with the team, but hasn't yet committed himself to the team.
Former Tour de France and Giro d'Italia winner Charly Gaul died in hospital yesterday.The Luxembourg rider, who took the Tour title in 1958 plus victories in the 1956 and 1959 Giro, was one of the best climbers in the history of cycling and twice took the Tour's King of the Mountains award. He would have been 73 tomorrow.
Kuper leaves door open for Smyth
HOCKEY: Katharine Smyth (nee Maybin) has announced her retirement from international hockey "for the foreseeable future", making her the third member of the Irish squad that competed in August's European Championships, after Lynsey McVicker and Jenny Burke, to be unavailable for April's World Cup Qualifier in Rome, writes Mary Hannigan.
The 26-year-old Pegasus defender, who won 57 caps since making her debut in 2002, said that she could "no longer give the necessary time and commitment which is required of international athletes" but she didn't rule out making a return at some future date.
"It's a great loss for the Irish team," said coach Riet Kuper. "We hope that her circumstances might change and she will return to the national squad."
Following Smyth's withdrawal, Pembroke Wanderers' Katherine Little has been called up to the squad.
Aine Kearney has been appointed as manager of the senior women's squad having already filled that role at the KT Cup in Korea in June.
Meanwhile, Muckross Park and Wesley College will meet in next week's Junior A League final after coming through yesterday's semi-finals. Muckross beat Alexandra College 2-0 while Wesley defeat St Andrews 1-0.
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