HEALTH club owner Next Generation has whittled its suitors down to Whitbread, Esporta and property firm London & Regional, with bids around £200 million (€288.1 million), according to sources close to the auction.

THE Coolmore Mafia are looking at a takeover of the Queen’s tennis club in London.

NEXT Generation Clubs, a chain of fitness centres backed by JP McManus, John Magnier and Denis Brosnan, saw profits grow by almost £1.8 million (€2.62m) in 2004.

LAST season’s Cloyne senior hurling coach, Donal Clifford, has made a surprise move and will guide the fortunes of intermediate club Cobh for 2004.