SPORTS DIGEST: SoccerLiverpool have informed Swansea they are ready to pay the €15 million fee to trigger the release clause in Joe Allen's contract.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has long been a keen admirer of the 22-year-old, and the Welsh club had already rejected an offer worth €12.5 million.

But former Swans boss Rodgers was always expected to return with an improved bid, and it is understood that, while a formal offer has yet to be made, Liverpool have verbally confirmed their intention to stump up the money required.

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup is to hold talks with the player over the interest from the Merseyside giants, but it is understood that Allen is keen to make the switch to the Reds.

Lambert happy with Clark

SoccerAston Villa manager Paul Lambert has expressed satisfaction with the way the central defensive partnership between Ciarán Clark and Ron Vlaar has been shaping up during Aston Villa's pre-season and the Republic of Ireland international defender says he's delighted with life under the new manager.

"Ron and Ciarán were excellent together and combined well as a partnership," said the Scot, despite having seen his side lose 3-1 to Nottingham Forest this week.

"For a young guy Ciarán handles himself very well, he offers great balance on the left side of the pair and I'm really pleased with how they developed an understanding."

Clark has welcomed the impact made by the former Norwich City boss. "It's brilliant the change in a short space of time," he said. - EMMET MALONE

Ireland game ends in draw

Cricket Ireland were forced to follow on on the final day of their weather-interrupted clash against South Africa A at Oakhill in Wicklow before the game ended in a draw. Ireland debutant James Shannon top-scored with 59 to help the home side recover from 95 for six, sharing in a 56-run stand for the eighth wicket with Stuart Thompson (21), as they were bowled out for 202.

Full international Wayne Parnell did most of the damage for the South Africans, the left-arm seamer taking seven for 56. With two days play lost to rain, South Africa were able to enforce the follow on as Ireland were over 100 runs behind, with openers Andrew Balbirnie (36 not out) and John Anderson (30 not out) making 76 before the teams shook hands.They now head North for another four-day game in Coleraine Monday week. - EMMET RIORDAN

Mullen kicks off with fine second

CyclingRyan Mullen got the Irish European Championship challenge off to a great start yesterday when he finished second in the junior time trial at the European Championships in Zeeland in the Netherlands. He finished 10 seconds behind Norwegian Madthias Krigbaum, who covered the 24.9km in 30 minutes 15 seconds. Mads Würtz Schmidt was third.

National road race and time trial champion Mullen's compatriot Dylan Foley finished 63rd. Both riders will compete in tomorrow's junior road race, along with Seán Hahessy, Cormac Clarke, Jack Sadler and Thomas Fallon. Seán Downey, Aaron Buggle and Conor Dunne will race in today's under-23 time trial. The trio will combine with Irish under-23 champion Philip Lavery, Sam Bennett, Felix English and Jack Wilson in Sunday's 172km road race; Lauren Gourlay will compete in the junior women's event on the same day. - SHANE STOKES