Sports Digest

CAMPUS IRELAND: The first evidence of the Campus Ireland project becoming a reality arrived yesterday with the opening of a new sports headquarters, SportHQ, in Parkwest, Dublin, by the Irish Sports Council (ISC), writes Gavin Cummiskey.

The building, opened by the Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, will be an administrative centre for the national governing bodies (NGOs) of several sports.

John Treacy, chief executive of the ISC, said the new centre would "make a major contribution to the modernisation of Irish sports organisations" and be a catalyst for their further development.

SportHQ cost €1.2 million to build, while the running costs per annum are expected to reach €500,000. This will be subsidised by the ISC and the NGOs that use the centre.

Sixteen NGOs will take up immediate residence, including Swim Ireland, Irish Squash, the Rowing Union, Community Games, the Paralympic Council, the Judo Association, and the Cricket Union.

The FAI, GAA and IRFU will not move to SportHQ, but will be able to use it as they need to.

RUGBY UNION: Llanelli's Stephen Jones has snubbed a move to England by agreeing a two-year deal with Montferrand.

Jones, who becomes a free agent in the summer, looked to be on the brink of joining Leicester after turning down Saracens and an earlier approach by Montferrand.

But the 40-time capped outhalf changed his mind following a last-ditch meeting with Montferrand officials at Heathrow last week and becomes the second Welsh player in two days to join national captain Colin Charvis in France after Gareth Thomas signed for Toulouse.

"The deal with Leicester did go a long way down the road but I not only wanted a change in playing but also in lifestyle and culture," said Jones.

Jones admitted the decision to leave the club he has played for since an 18-year-old was the most difficult one he had ever made.

"It will be very sad to leave Llanelli as I have played here for the last eight years, but this is a fantastic opportunity for me and I would like to think that it will not effect my international career."

Director of rugby at Llanelli Gareth Jenkins said: "The simple fact is that financially we cannot afford to compete with the likes of the French or English clubs, and until we address the way we finance our game we will continue to be a feeder country for the richer nations."

RUGBY: Leinster will hold an "open training day" this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Old Belvedere RFC, Anglesea Road.

The Leinster coaches and players will conduct skills training, after which the players will then autograph whatever jerseys, photos or other items the fans may bring.

Any unwanted rugby kit brought along as their admittance will be forwarded to the IRB's Kit Aid Appeal. These kits will be donated to needy players in Romania, Georgia, Moldova, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

GAELIC GAMES: Tyrone's hurlers accounted for Armagh 1-15 to 0-5 in the Ulster Championship at Dungannon last night.

Paul Lavery scored 1-6 to give Tyrone the perfect tonic ahead of this weekend's NHL Division Three final against Sligo.

TYRONE: P Daly; C Hughes. D Maguire, G Byrne; B Daly, R Winters, S O'Neill; T McIntosh (0-2), P Hughes; R McCallan, J O'Neill (0-2), P Lavery (1-6); C Hurson (0-3), G McGettigan, P O'Connor. Subs: P McErlean (0-1) for McGettigan, C McErlean (0-1) for McCallan

ARMAGH: J Burke; P Fegan, P McArdle, N Rafferty; J O'Neill, C McShane, P Harvey; B McCormack (0-2), M King; C Christie, P Hughes (0-1), E Fearon; G Enright, B Gaffney, N McCann. Subs: K Quinn (0-2) for Fearon.

Referee: M Mulholland (Derry).