New York decide to fulfil fixture

Gaelic Games: New York have decided to keep their fixture with Galway in the Connacht football championship on June 10th, writes Ian O'Riordan. The executive committee of the New York Board met yesterday and, after two hours of debate, decided to press ahead with the fixture - providing that no more players leave the panel.

It still means New York will arrive with a distinctly understrength side for the meeting with Galway. The majority of their regular panel have already vacated their places due to concerns about getting back into the US after the game.

However, the New York board decided that even with such a handicap, fulfilling the fixture would best serve the future of Gaelic games in New York. Monty Moloney, the board president, said that "They might have to look at the situation yet again , but as of now, the plan is to travel".

Sailing: After a week of racing at the Hyeres Olympic Classes regatta on the South Coast of France, Ireland's two confirmed sailors on the national Olympic team yesterday ended the series well inside the top-10 of their respective classes, writes David Brannigan.

Europe sailor Maria Coleman was seventh in her fleet while David Burrows ended eighth in the Finns. Laser sailor Jon Lasenby recorded 37th in his class having successfully made the Gold fleet cut-off in the massive 166 boat class. However, the single-hander has some distance to cover over the next few grade one events if he is to achieve his two Olympic Nomination Standard results, thought to be a requirement somewhere inside the top 20 of any two events.

Equestrian Sport: The decision not to send a show jumping team to the Sydney Olympics was ratified at a meeting of the SJAI executive in Athlone on Thursday night.

The international affairs committee, headed by Galway course designer Paul Duffy, unanimously agreed last week that Ireland should not field a team for Sydney, but reserved the right to send one or two individuals.

It would have been possible for the SJAI executive to reverse the controversial decision, but it was endorsed at Thursday's meeting following what national chairman Tony Hurley described as "a good, frank discussion".

The decision was subsequently reported to a low-key national agm, which was held immediately after the executive meeting.

Canoeing: This is a big weekend for Irish canoeists with six competing in the first slalom World Cup race of the 2000 season at the Olympic venue in Penrith, Sydney. K1 kayakers Ian Wiley, who has yet to find his form, and Eadaoin Ni Challarain head the Irish challenge.

Ni Challarain's place at the Olympics, originally granted as one of 10 replacements for flatwater sprint competitors, is in some doubt because the flatwater authorities are now claiming these places cannot be transferred.

Soccer: Ollie Cahill netted a hat-trick as Cork City comfortably overturned Cobh Ramblers in the final of the Munster Senior Cup at Turner's Cross last night.

Cork turned on the style in the second half with Cahill impressing. Pat Morley opened the scoring before Cahill got in on the act with goals on 50, 62 and 70 minutes as Cork rammed home their advantage. John Caulfield completed the scoring just two minutes from time.