SPORTS DIGEST

Other sports nwes in brief

Byrne plots St Patrick's downfall

SOCCER:While commending St Patrick's Athletic and wishing them well in their Uefa Cup clash with Hertha Berlin in Germany next week, Sporting Fingal winger Conan Byrne is equally intent on plotting to knock them out of the FAI Cup in tonight's quarter-final at Morton Stadium (kick-off: 7.45pm).

"It's terrific," said Byrne of St Patrick's progress in Europe. "It's a great achievement to reach that particular level and I wish them every luck in that."

First Division promotion hopefuls Sporting can't play goalkeeper Brendan Clarke or left-back John Frost as, being on loan from St. Patrick's, they are ineligible. Steve Williams comes into goal while Brian Gannon is likely to continue at left back as Brian Kelly remains out with a back injury.

Having seen their lingering title ambitions all but end with defeat at Bohemians on Monday, St Patrik's continue without Keith Fahey (knee), Des Byrne (ankle), Dave Rogers (hamstring), Stephen Paisley (groin) and John Murphy (back) while Jason Gavin and Barry Ferguson are cup-tied.

Bekele tops Great North bill

ATHLETICS:Double Olympic gold medallist Kenenisa Bekele will top the bill at the Bupa Great North Miles on the Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides next month.

The 26-year-old Ethiopian, who became the first athlete for 28 years to win both the Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 metres titles in Beijing, confirmed he will compete on October 4th.

Eliud Kipchoge, who was runner-up to Bekele over 5,000metres at the Bird's Nest Stadium last month, is also entered, along with Australian Craig Mottram.

Ireland shock mighty England 

GOLF:Ireland's women produced some sensational golf in the singles session to cause one of the biggest upsets in recent international history with an overwhelming success over England on the opening day of the home country series at Wrexham yesterday.

The outstanding 5 1/2-3 1/2 triumph sets Ireland up well to emulate their male counterparts who swooped for international glory at Muirfield last week.

"The players can be really proud of themselves. They all played out of their skins and the birdies were really flying out," said captain Phil O'Gorman.

And with Wales producing a surprise by beating Scotland the round-robin series is now wide open. Today Ireland play Wales while Scotland clash with England.

Freire records first Tour of Spain win after sprint finish

CYCLING:Leading Spanish sprinter Oscar Freire recorded his first victory of the 2008 Tour of Spain yesterday after a sprint finish in the 11th stage. Belgian Tom Boonen was second and Argentine Juan Jose Haedo third in the 178km stage from Calhorra to Burgos.

Rabobank rider Freire, a former triple world champion, was happy after a slow start to the tour.

"I wasn't so good early on in the tour but things have come around in the last couple of stages," said Freire.

"Yesterday in Zaragoza I finished fourth in the sprint because I was blocked. Today I got the ideal lead-out from my team-mates Juan Antonio Flecha and Pedro Horrillo."

With three tough stages through the hills and mountains of Cantabria and Asturias, Freire does not expect to figure in today's shake-up.

Spaniard Egoi Martinez retained the overall lead for a third straight stage.

Ireland's Nicolas Roche finished a respectable 16th in yesterday's stage which leaves him 20th overall.