Golf: Ireland were overwhelmed 111/2-31/2 by England in the men's amateur Home International championship at Woodhall Spa yesterday and had to be content with third place overall.
The foursomes ended just 3-2 in England's favour but in the singles competition England went on the rampage.
Stephen Browne was the only Irish winner, when he defeated Gary Wolstenholme by 2 and 1.
At one time during the morning Ireland were up in a majority of foursomes matches but fortunes changed around the midway point. Absolutely crucial was the defeat on the last green suffered by Browne and Noel Fox at the hands of Wolstenholme and David Skinns.
Scotland took the runners-up spot ahead of Ireland and Wales. Details in SPORTS ROUND-UP
Cycling: Ireland held the first two places in the Tour of Hokkaido yesterday when Paul Griffin outsprinted Japanese rider Shinichi Sukfushima to take the honours, while race leader David McCann finished safely amongst a group of 17 riders who crossed the finish line 11 seconds later writes Shane Stokes.
McCann leads Griffin by one minute and two seconds while Mark Scanlon is also in the top 10, lying seventh at one minute 20 seconds.
Paddy Moriarty also finished in the winning bunch yesterday.
Meanwhile, Ciarβn Power finished 35th on the penultimate stage of the Tour de l'Avenir in France, one minute and 50 seconds behind stage winner Graziano Gasparre of the Mapei Quickstep team. Power is 29th overall.
Cricket: Ireland have a home tie against county opposition to look forward to next summer after beating the Hampshire Board XI by 32 runs in the second round of the qualifying trophy in Southampton on Thursday.
South African professional Andre Botha was named man-of-the-match. The North County all-rounder made a solid 75 in Ireland's total of 241-7 and then took three for 30.
Details in SPORTS ROUND-UP
Motor Sport: The Leinster Trophy, Ireland's most prestigious motor race, is the highlight of the weekend's meeting at Mondello Park. This race has been won by some of the greats: Mike Hawthorn and Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Irish Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan, writes Brian Foley.
John O'Hara and Vivion Daly face a strong British challenge in the Leinster Trophy for Formula Europa cars. O'Hara can tie up the Irish series by simply finishing the two weekend races. In addition to tomorrow's Leinster Trophy feature there will be races for Historics, Strykers, RT2000s, Crossle/Global Lights, Formula Vee and the always spectacular sidecars.
With over £21,000 sterling in prizemoney up for grabs, there is promise of plenty of close competition in today's Sunflower Trophy motorcycle racing at Kirkistown, Co Down.
Sailing: In a line-up that includes the 2001 Mirror world champion Michael Bayly as a wild card entry the Irish Junior Helmsmans Championships for 2001 is staged today by the Royal Cork Yacht Club, writes David O'Brien.
Meanwhile, talent scouts will seek to identify young sailors with natural ability and potential for a place in the Northern Ireland youth squad at today's Volvo Northern Ireland Zone Championships at East Antrim Boat Club, in Larne.
Tomorrow's start to the Dublin Port-sponsored Howth Autumn Series may be the biggest on record with over 200 entries for the six races series for cruisers and one-design fleets.
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