SNOOKER: John Higgins put family commitments before his career last season, scratching from a tournament to be best man at his brother's wedding, but hopes to avoid a similar scenario at the Regal Masters in Glasgow.
Higgins' wife Denise is expecting the couple's first child on Thursday, the day before the world number three plays his first game in the competition against Stephen Hendry or Jimmy White, so he faces an anxious wait.
Ken Doherty takes on the winner of the Peter Ebdon/Marco Fu match on Thursday, the day defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan also makes his entry.
Patrick Wallace won the Regal Masters qualifying tournament title. "It's just great to be in amongst the big boys," he said. He makes his debut tomorrow against Stephen Lee.
GOLF: Scotland's Pamela Williamson will take a one-shot lead into today's second round of the Irish Senior Ladies Amateur Open at Co Louth. Williamson, despite a double bogey on the third and a triple bogey eight on the sixth, returned a seven over par 82 to lead Rhona Fanagan (Milltown) by one shot with Mary McKenna (Donabate) and Valerie Hassett (Ennis) on 84. McKenna took a seven on the par three 15th, which included a two-shot penalty.
SOCCER: AS Roma president Franco Sensi and the club's managing director Fabrizio Lucchesi have been formally charged with offences relating to the 1999 scandal in which Rolex watches were allegedly given to Italian referees.
HOCKEY: Pembroke beat Glenanne 4-1, to recapture the Stephen Doyle Trophy in the Leinster Top Four final at Santry on Sunday. Gordon Elliott put away two goals while Justin Sherriff scored a cracker and set up Paddy Good to complete the tally. Glenanne's replay came through Stephen Butler from a penalty stroke.
The Ireland under-21s beat Scotland 3-1 at Inverclyde on Saturday but lost 3-2 to the Scots on Sunday.
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