SPORTS DIGEST:TENNIS: Andy Murray says top players are "serious" about their call for changes to the tennis calendar – and that some form of strike cannot be ruled out.
Players are upset at overcrowding in the schedule and will meet in Shanghai next month to plot their next move.
Murray said: "It's a possibility. I know from speaking to some players they're not afraid of doing that (striking). Let's hope it doesn't come to that but I'm sure the players will consider it.
Bahrain paid for GP despite call off
MOTOR SPORT:Bahrain has paid the hosting fee for this year's Formula One grand prix even though the race was cancelled, commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone was quoted as saying yesterday.
"I don't think turnover will be down this year, the 80-year-old Briton told the Independentnewspaper when asked about the sport's 2011 balance sheet.
“I think it will be flat because we were paid for Bahrain. I said we will give them the money back and they said ‘Don’t bother’.” The hosting fee for this year had been estimated by various sources at around €30 million.
Ecclestone had said in February he had waived the rights fees after the season-opening race was called off due to violent civil unrest.
Under-19 women reach elite stage
SOCCER:The Republic of Ireland under-19 women's side continued their push for further glory by beating Israel 5-1 last night in Portugal to reach the elite stage of the Uefa qualifiers.
Claire Shine of Douglas Hall opened the scoring on 13 minutes before captain Dora Gorman reflected Ireland’s dominance with a second nine minutes later.
Siobhán Killeen made it 3-0 on 38 minutes and, although Karina Tsvetkov breached the Irish defence, the Raheny United winger grabbed her second nine minutes from time. Wexford’s Rianna Jarrett added Ireland’s fifth in stoppage time. Ireland advance to contest another four-nation group in the spring.
REP OF IRELAND: Maloney (Reading); Murphy (Wilton Utd), Byrne (Bealnamulla), Gleeson (Tramore), Farmer (Wilton Utd); Grant (Kilmacrennan Celtic), Gorman (Salthill), Hansbury (Strand Celtic), Killeen (Raheny Utd); Gilroy (Killala), Shine (Douglas Hall). Subs: O'Brien (Tramore) for Byrne (52 mins), Roche (Watford) for Grant (61 mins), Jarrett (Wexford) for Gilroy (79 mins).
Irish pair trail Durbridge in Copenhagen time trial
CYCLING:Seán Downey and Felix English got Ireland's world championship campaign under way yesterday when the duo lined out in the 35.2 kilometre under-23 time trial in Copenhagen, writes SHANE STOKES.
Downey, the national champion at the discipline in that age group, covered the 35.2km course in a time two minutes and 52 seconds off that of the winner Luke Durbridge (Australia), netting 25th.
English was one minute 44 seconds further back in 52nd place.
Next up is Ryan Mullen, who will compete in the junior men’s time trial today. Professionals Matt Brammeier and David McCann will then line out in the Elite TT tomorrow, with the road races starting Friday.
Brammeier was yesterday confirmed as having signed a one year deal with the Omega Pharma – Quick Step team for 2012.
