SPORTS DIGEST:Formula One drivers have lamented the perilous financial situation facing Germany's Nuerburgring track, with Nico Rosberg saying losing it would be like Italy without Monza.
The German state of Rhineland-Palatinate announced on Wednesday Nuerburgring GmbH, owner of the circuit which stages the German Grand Prix in odd-numbered years, was set to file for insolvency.
"It's a lot of history for us German drivers, we wish the situation improves and that we find solutions," Rosberg told reporters.
"It would be shame to lose the Nuerburgring as a race, it's one of the most traditional races in the calendar. It would be like losing Monza for the Italians."
Australia's Mark Webber added: "It's a sensational little track, a track which has to stay in the same configuration and stay open forever. It's one of the most amazing bits of tarmac in the world, a beautiful, beautiful, little circuit."
The Nuerburgring opened in 1927 and held its first German Grand Prix the same year. A shortened version has been used since 1984
Ireland out to save series in Belfast
CRICKETIreland will be out to save the RSA Twenty20 series at Stormont this afternoon (5.0pm) as they take on Bangladesh in the second of three games after suffering a 71-run humbling in Wednesday's opening joust.
Ireland conceded 190 runs after putting the tourists in to bat, the second-highest amount they have shipped in this format behind the 198 that New Zealand made during the World Twenty20 in 2009.
In reply, Ireland’s batsman were not able to handle Bangladesh’s slow bowlers, especially left-armer Elias Sunny, who took five wickets for 13 runs, the third-best figures in a T20 international.
Coach Phil Simmons will be back in Belfast today after missing the opening game for personal reasons, while left-arm spinner George Dockrell will come straight back into the side after missing the opening game due to his involvement with the Ireland under-19 side against England.
Simmons may also look to give Middlesex seamer Tim Murtagh his international debut in the T20 format.
EMMET RIORDAN
McGee faces tough test at Irish Open
TENNISDubliner James McGee could have to contend next week with an opponent holding the prized scalp of a world top-10 player if he is to retain his FBD Irish Men's Open title. As the defending champion and the third-highest ranked player, McGee is among the front-runners at Dublin's Fitzwillam Club in the third-tier ITF Men's Futures event.
Also included in the strong field is Frenchman Albano Olivetti. In February, at the Marseille Open, Olivetti defeated then world number seven Mardy Fish of the US 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
In addition to McGee, winner of Futures events in Bahrain and Spain this year, Limerick’s Sam Barry was a direct entry to the acceptance list based on his world ranking. And the other Irish players who will not have to pre-qualify are Dublin’s Tristan Farron-Mahon and John Morrissey, Mayo’s Daniel Glancy and Greystones’ Ciarán Fitzgerald.
The tournament kicks off with the qualifying rounds tomorrow and Sunday, with the main draw starting on Monday. Entry to the public is free during the week.
Khan has not ruled out Hatton but first wants Garcia rematch
BOXINGAmir Khan has not ruled out the prospect of a blockbuster British super-fight with Ricky Hatton. The boxer believes such a contest would be "bigger" than last Saturday's David Haye-Dereck Chisora bout, though the 25-year-old is intent first on a rematch with Danny Garcia in December after his fourth-round knockout defeat at the weekend.
While Hatton, the former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion, is thought to be considering a comeback, he might also consider the intriguing option of training Khan.
Regarding a potential match with Hatton, Khan said: “I don’t think Ricky will want to fight us. I try to avoid the Ricky fight but you never know. It’d be a huge British fight and I don’t think we’ve had a British fight like that. For the moment I’m more focused on the Garcia fight because what burns me is that you know you made a mistake and you know what mistake you made.”
Philadelphian Garcia is not keen on a rematch but Khan believes Golden Boy, which promotes both of them, may find a way to make it happen.
Breen makes local knowledge count in speed class
EQUESTRIAN:Ireland have been drawn fourth of the eight teams competing for this afternoon's FEI Nations' Cup at Hickstead.
Tipperary’s Shane Breen, who lives at the Sussex venue, won yesterday’s 1.45m speed class with Ominerale Courcelle in a time of 68.50 with Clem McMahon second on Point Two Elvis (70.27). Later, Breen, on Balloon, was runner-up in the 1.50m two-phase competition.
Grand National-winning jockey Robert Power went in the eventing Grand Prix and on his sister Elizabeth’s eventer Doonaveeragh O One finished third. The winner was Trevor Breen.
At home, Eddie Moloney won the TRM/ShowJumpingIreland premier Grand Prix on Macushla R.
MARGIE McLOONE
