SPORTS DIGEST

A roundup of today's other sports stories:

O'Rourke first to retain sailor of the year trophy

SAILING: Ger O'Rourke, from Limerick, became the first sailor to lift the Cork Dry Gin Sailor of the Year trophy for two years in succession.

O'Rourke's clear-cut victory in last August's Fastnet Race was formally recognised at home yesterday at the Morrison Hotel in Dublin where 23 leading names from dinghy and offshore circuits were in the running for the overall prize in what has become the premier awards ceremony for Irish water sports.

O'Rourke's 24-month spell at the top of the world offshore circuit have seen victories for his 50ft yacht Chieftain on the toughest courses including the Sydney-Hobart race.

Although a host of individual performances, that had already earned Cork Dry Gin monthly awards from the Irish watersports magazine, Ireland Afloat, it was O'Rourke, of the Western Yacht Club, Kilrush, who was selected by a panel of sailing journalists and administrators for the top prize again.

A special international award was made to Carsten Hvid of Denmark who skippered the Viking Ship, The Sea Stallion, from Denmark to Dublin last summer.

Speaking after the award was made by Irish Sailing Association, vice-president Peter Crowley, O'Rourke, joined by his daughter Deirdre, made an appeal for all sailors to back this year's Irish bid to win the Volvo Ocean race that starts from Spain in October. An Irish entry is under construction in China.

Squad visit children of sex workers

CRICKET: The Irish cricket squad is to present playing equipment to the forgotten children of sex workers as a gesture of solidarity during their current visit to Bangladesh.

The squad, which is on an international tour of the country, will pay a courtesy call on a project run by Irish NGO Concern.

The children of sex workers are heavily discriminated against in Bangladesh but Concern helps then access education and other social services.

The cricket squad will be making a special presentation to a group of 11 children who are part of Concern's Outreach to Sex Workers project.

A Concern spokesman said: "The presentation of cricket equipment like bats and wickets to the children of sex-workers is a fitting gesture that reflects the importance of equal opportunity in life - the right of all children."

Turnbull agrees settlement

ATHLETICS: Belfast athlete Gareth Turnbull has finally reached a financial compensation agreement with the Irish Sports Council, almost 18 months after being cleared of a doping charge, writes Ian O'Riordan.

Turnbull was charged in July 2006 following an out-of-competition test the previous September, but was cleared of any wrongdoing following a lengthy appeal process.

In a short statement in which he confirmed the settlement had been made, Turnbull observed: "The council were under no obligation to pay my costs but agreed to make a contribution as my particular circumstances were not covered by the existing rules."

He continued: "The agreement brings to a close a most stressful period of my athletics career and I will have no further comment to make upon any matters covered by the agreement."