SPORTS DIGEST:SOCCER: Dundalk owner Gerry Matthews will have another meeting with supporters after tonight's game against St Patrick's Athletic in Oriel Park, with the businessman expected to elaborate on his plans to sell or hand over control of the club during the coming months, writes EMMET MALONE.
At a meeting with representatives of the DFC Supporters Trust on Monday night, Matthews confirmed his intention to go but gave a commitment that he would not walk away unless there was somebody to take over the running of the club. Members of the trust fear that if he he does retain control, the budget would be so small as to make relegation a virtual certainty.
The Trust is hoping to mount a takeover of the club itself although there is reported to be interest from other parties. A major issue in any negotiations, though, will be control over the Youth Development Centre which is built on land adjacent to the stadium.
Substantial planning levies and other fees totalling some €432,887 are still outstanding with regard to the centre but there is the possibility of an agreement being reached under which Matthews would take responsibility for the levies in return for being allowed to retain a measure of control over the centre.
Matthews, who took control during a previous crisis in 2006, has previously maintained that he had no real interest in running a football club, but he was keen to put something back into the area.
Mansfield in for champions event
SAILING:The deadline for receipt of acceptances for the Waterways Ireland ISA Sailing Championships passed yesterday, with responses to half of invitations issued for the event that will be hosted by Lough Derg Yacht Club in two weeks. An informal extension of the deadline is expected to complete the entries today.
Olympic veteran Mark Mansfield, who won the event twice, tops the confirmed entries as the reigning 1720 national champion.
The format aims to nominally decide Ireland’s best sailor by inviting the winning helms from the 35 class associations affiliated to the Irish Sailing Association to take part in a three-day series of knockout rounds and final sailed in the SailFleet J80 one-design.
As of last night, defending champion Nicolas O’Leary had not confirmed a defence of the title he has held for three consecutive years.
Limerick to hold Sprint Regatta
ROWING:Limerick steals in ahead of the rest with a rowing event tomorrow, writes LIAM GORMAN. The Limerick European City of Sport Sprint Regatta pits crews representing the four provinces against each other, racing between Sarsfield Bridge and the Shannon Bridge.
The course is just 350 metres long, so spectators on the quays between 3-5pm should see some very fast racing. To spice things up even more, organiser Kieran Kerr says the plan is to have boats on the water continuously.
“There will be 24 races, one every five minutes. We will put out, say, an eight and it will go down the course and put into the slip. The next crew will jump in. In the meantime you might see a double and a singles race. The boats never come off the water.”
The intention is to make it an interesting event for spectators, and there are also plans for commentary.
Sullivan wins monthly award
SOCCER: Shamrock Rovers defender Pat Sullivan has been named the Airtricity/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month for August.
The 28-year-old’s spectacular goal against Partizan in Belgrade paved the way for his club’s progression to the group stages of the Europa League. Sullivan also played a key part in the Dubliners’ efforts to retain their league title with important wins over Galway United, UCD and Bohemians.
