Having not competed at the top level since last year, Greg Broderick and MHS Going Global laid down a late marker for Olympic selection yesterday, producing a double clear to help Ireland win the Furusiyya Series nations cup in a rain-soaked St Gallen, Switzerland.

Ireland eventing manager Nick Turner was not dissatisfied to see his team finish runner-up to the British again in the nations cup at Ballindenisk International Horse Trials yesterday, suggesting it was a realistic result.

The Construction Industry Council has called on the environment minister to commit to reviewing a new ‘opt out’ on statutory certification of new one-unit properties — even though the regulation only comes into force tomorrow.

Sam Watson is as confident as the capricious sport of eventing will allow that he will give a good account of himself when defending his CIC three-star title at Camphire International Horse Trials this weekend.

Greg Broderick and MHS Going Global flew two successful Furusiyya Series missions for Ireland recently in Lummen and La Baule, but it’s fair to say they did so under the radar.

Irish-based aircraft leasing company Avolon expects its initial public offering to be priced at between $21 and $23 per common share.

And so it’s that time of year again, the time of year when nine out of 10 columns begin “and, so, it’s that time of year again”.

Swiss-based show jumper Niall Talbot won the grand prix in Lisbon yesterday with Nicos de la Cense to round off a successful weekend for the Irish in the Portuguese capital.

“Simply awesome,” was how Kildare-born Aoife Clark de scribed Fenyas Elegance last night, after the pair finished runners-up at Chatsworth Horse Trials in England in the mare’s first outing at three-star level.

The Chinese government’s main sovereign wealth fund says it has bought a 10% stake in the operator of London’s Heathrow airport, expanding its investments in British infrastructure.

A destitute woman was offered a one-way train ticket to Belfast by social welfare officials after being denied benefits to which she was legally entitled.

Bankrupt businessman Seán Quinn and his son, Seán Jr, will today find out if they are to face further charges of contempt of court which could see both men put behind bars.

Ballindenisk will host the European Championships in 2019, if the Fell family ambitions are realised.

Capt Geoff Curran trained his sights on Ollie Townend at the Johnson & Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials in Ballindenisk yesterday, ruing that the Briton’s superb performance in the dressage had blown away what would generally be considered a respectable score from the Army officer.

A sun-drenched day in Ballindenisk, Co Cork that fell into the halcyon category, yet Sarah Ennis was “not happy”.

For most riders, the thrill and examination provided by the cross-country is the main attraction in eventing, and Vittoria Panizzon is not alone in finding that the dressage element lacks the same excitement.

Next month’s Johnson & Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials in Ballindenisk is gearing up to be one of the best as the Cork venue again attracts the cream of international and national riders.

Eventer Sam Watson is targeting a big performance in the four-star show at Burghley, England, at the end of the month, having won the feature three-star class at Camphire, Co Waterford, yesterday.

A gunman claiming links to al-Qaida who took four people hostage in a Toulouse bank today has released one of the four, a woman.

Michael Ryan was his usual assured self yesterday after riding Dromgurrihy Blue to equal 10th in the dressage phase of the Irish Field CCI three-star class at Tattersalls International Horse Trials.

The FEI Nations Cup Series begins today in La Baule, France, and, important as it is, it will play second fiddle to the Olympics.

The Government has signed an agreement with China which it is hoped will see Beijing investing in Irish sovereign bonds.

What proved a special weekend at Ballindenisk is set to be given the Olympic seal today when the FEI publishes the list of individual riders who have qualified for London.

Irish eventing was last night on course to have a team at the Olympics, after riders rose to the challenge in the Goresbridge Go For Gold International Horse Trials at Ballindenisk, Co Cork.

Jayne Doherty would be the first to acknowledge she does not do “quietly confident”.

Shane Breen obviously hopes Billy Twomey and Denis Lynch secure places for Ireland at the Olympics, but he also believes it is logical there should be a “level playing field” when it comes to selecting who lines out in London.

MOST of Quinn Insurance’s 1,600 employees are anxious its proposed sale to US insurer Liberty Mutual goes ahead because they believe it will safeguard their livelihoods, the High Court was told yesterday.

DECLAN CULLEN claimed the feature three-star class at the Johnson & Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials in Ballindenisk, Co Cork, yesterday.

A MAN will appear in court today in connection with CCTV footage showing Mike Tindall and a blonde woman in a bar in New Zealand.

Italy wants China to buy its government bonds or invest in its companies in an attempt to aid its economy.

EVENTER Michael Ryan is optimistic of capitalising on his decision to switch from Blair Castle to Camphire this weekend.

JAYNE DOHERTY declared herself on “cloud 10” yesterday, after finishing fourth and best of the Irish with The Only One in the feature class at Tattersalls International Horse Trials.

IRELAND’S show jumpers remain top of the FEI Nations Cup League, after finishing third in Italy yesterday.

JAYNE DOHERTY’S dressage performance yesterday saw her the Irish standard bearer in the CCI three-star class at Tattersalls Horse Trials.

CONTRASTING fortunes defined the opening day for Ireland’s World Cup challengers, with Billy Twomey finishing 16th in the first of three finals and Denis Lynch suffering elimination.

JIM NEWSAM did not get his wish for a “Down double” yesterday, even if he played his part by winning the CCI three-star at Ballindenisk International Horse Trials in Cork.

SARAH WARDELL yesterday took the first step in making up for an aborted effort with Kincluny earlier this month at Burghley, by taking poll position on day one of the CCI three-star at Ballindenisk, Co Cork.

Confusion surrounds Kenny Huang and his interest in buying Liverpool after claims about his links to the Chinese government were met with an apparent denial which was then subsequently dismissed.

Prospective new Liverpool owner Kenny Huang has refused to comment on claims his buy-out is backed by the Chinese government.

The Chinese government is funding a bid to buy Liverpool FC, it was reported tonight.

Architects, engineers and builders are calling on the Government to ''move Ireland Inc. forward'' by investing in capital projects.

THE Irish Mining and Quarrying Society has backed the construction industry’s call for investment in critical infrastructure by pension funds.

SHOW jumpers Jessica Kürten and Billy Twomey continued their dominance of the four-star show in Barcelona, Spain, at the weekend, claiming a one-two, respectively, in Saturday’s grand prix, while the Cork man also ended his show with a hat-trick.