THE FIC yesterday confirmed that the Meath Grand Prix will be held this Sunday (1.15 p.m.) over five laps of the usual circuit of almost 16 miles through Slane.

Last week PJ Nolan of the Navan club said that a change of dates had been agreed with Cuchulainn, Dundalk, to stage the event this week to avoid clashing with the Dublin-Meath football championship encounter at Croke Park. But then there were doubts about it going ahead.

Although the arrangement for the switch was made some months ago and the FIC notified, it did not meet with general approval and there has been a lot of wrangling in the last few days.

A separate race for juniors has been sanctioned, but not for second category and under age racers, as the Irish Road Club have their Kevin McInerney memorial promotions at Dunlavin. Nolan added that second category men will be allowed to join in the main event with a prize list for them.

Ras Chiarrai is also listed for Killorglin on Sunday.

The West Down Grand Prix tomorrow at Banbridge is the fourth of 10 events to count in the classic league. Raymond Clarke of Premier, Clonmel, leads with 22 points to 19 for David Peelo (Sorrento).

Ian Chivers started well when he won at Carlow from Peelo and Michael Smith, with Clarke fourth. But Clarke was first at Ballyboughal. Although Clarke did not get any points in the Elliott race at Bray, he retained the leader's jersey for tomorrow.

At Bray, Ciaran Power won from Dermot Healy with Tommy Evans next ahead of Peelo. So, after Clarke and Peelo, third place is shared by Chivers and Power with 15 points, Doyle is next on 13 and then Healy on 12.

The juniors did not have a race at Bray, but after Cadow and Ballyboughal Mark Scanlon has 23 points with Thomas Hogan his closest challenger on 17. Dermot

Finnegan has 15 with Emmett Hogan and David McQuaid next on 12.

After Peter Daly had finished seventh in the EBD Milk Ras, he confirmed that he intended to return from his French base at St Quentin to defend his Irish title in the road race championship at Carrick-on-Suir on Sunday, June 29th.

As that date is set aside for national championships, some others with clubs abroad will be clear to take part too.