Athletics: The longest unbroken sponsorship in Irish sport was celebrated at a function in Dublin on Saturday, marking the 37th year of Nestle's association with the Irish Schools Athletics Association, writes Peter Byrne.
One of seven recipients of merit awards for services rendered to athletics went to the indefatigable Cork priest, Father Liam Kelleher who as coach, animator and editor of Mara Paddy Larkin, the motivating influence behind athletics in Tullamore who is currently recovering from an illness, was honoured in his absence, for his role in developing one of the outstanding sports complexes in the country.
Others who received presentations were Brother John Dooley (North Monastery, Cork), Brother Patrick Lennon (St Augustine's, Dungarvan), Daithi Quinn (St Jarlath's, Tuam) and two journalists, Lindie Naughton (Evening Herald) and Frank Greally (Irish Runner).
Cricket: Ireland have been drawn at home to Shropshire in next season's NatWest Trophy campaign. Victory in that game would give them another home fixture, against Surrey Cricket Board, and a further win would result in a match against Somerset, also at home.
The dates are: Tuesday May 2nd: v Shropshire; Tuesday May 16th: v Surrey Cricket Board; Wednesday June 21st: v Somerset.
Boxing: Michael Watson is seeking about £1 million in compensation from the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) and has dismissed claims from its head, John Morris, that it cannot pay.
Watson was nearly fatally injured in his world middleweight championship fight with fellow Briton Chris Eubank in 1991 and a London court last week decided ringside medical facilities were insufficient.
Watson is still partially paralysed and is now looking for a sum which will help pay for his future.
"They (BBBC) take four per cent from the purse of every British fighter and there are around 200 fights put on every year," said Watson's solicitor Michael Toohig.
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