February

Florida Pearl wins the Hennessey Gold Cup with over five lengths to spare on Dorans Pride. The inaugural Six Nations tournament kicks off and the word is that Ireland will be competitive. First game out is Twickenham, where the visitors lose 50-18. It represents a new record for most points conceded in the championship. The expert view is that Warren Gatland will soon be the latest Irish coach to bite the dust.

On the soccer front, it is announced that the FAI will face 42 inquiries in relation to their plans for Eircom Park in Citywest. Alex Ferguson omits David Beckham from his teamsheet to face Leeds. Word of a training bust-up spreads. A new-look Ireland team lines out against Scotland for the first home rugby international of the year and the home crowd are treated to an all-running, allsinging, all-scoring Ireland. The home team win 44-22. Alan Kelly is named the FAI Player of the Year. The redoubtable Crossmaglen emerge from the torrents of the mid-winter club football scene with an ominously comfortable win over an exciting young UCC team. Dublin side Na Fianna overcome Crossmolina in the other semi-final. At the La Costa court in San Diego, Darren Clarke renders golf briefly interesting again by shackling the Tiger. The Ulster man enjoys a 4 and 3 victory over Woods at the Andersen Consulting Matchplay championship. Mark Carroll confirms his Olympic claims with a fine 3,000 metres victory at the European Indoor championships in Ghent. Queen's are the Sigerson champions, defeating UCD.