Newlands’ Andrew Hogan defied 40 mph gusts to card a four-under par 67 and grab the silver medal for the leading qualifier in the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

England’s Jonathan Hurst has set his sights on the West of Ireland Amateur Open title after a level-par 71 gave him the first round lead at wind-blown Rosses Point today.

Defending champion Roger Federer was today handed a bye to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon when fourth-round opponent Tommy Haas was forced to pull out through injury.

A top republican has been banned from selling his property until detectives complete a probe into an alleged multi-million pound fraud, it emerged today.

Richard Kilpatrick eagled the last to clinch an impressive eight-shot victory in the East of Ireland Championship at Co Louth today.

Sinn Féin is to challenge Northern Chief Constable Hugh Orde over a decision to charge a top republican with money laundering.

Sinn Féin has today hit back at unionists who claimed they have reneged on their commitment to policing.

Sinn Fein critic Jim Allister has accused the party of reneging on its support of policing after it criticised the arrest of a republican.

ANDY RODDICK won the battle of the big-hitting former grand slam champions in four sets to bring an early end to Marat Safin’s Australian Open campaign.

A revitalised Rory McIlroy is licking his lips at the prospect of a head-to-head battle with Mark Campbell for the Mullingar Scratch Cup.

Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell found his putting touch to lead at the halfway stage in the East of Ireland Championship at Baltray.

THE top republican who was questioned about the Northern Bank robbery is to lodge an official complaint with the Police Ombudsman’s Office after being released without charge.

A top republican questioned about the Northern Bank robbery is to lodge an official complaint with the Police Ombudsman’s Office after being released without charge, it emerged tonight.

A MAN was last night charged with the Northern Bank robbery in Belfast. The 23-year-old man was also accused of taking a husband and wife hostage and possession of a gun or imitation firearm during the heist last December.

A man was tonight charged with the £26.5m (€39.2m) Northern Bank robbery in Belfast.

Mid-way through the Sligo Rally, the sixth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, there is a close battle with just six seconds covering the top three drivers.

In the Waterford-based Raven’s Rock Rally, with fastest times on all of the first four stages, Derry’s Kevin Lynch and co-driver Gordon Noble in a Subaru WRC have amassed a lead of 44 seconds over the Subaru of Dunlop National Rally Championship leaders Niall Maguire and Paul McLaughlin, who are a further 14 seconds ahead of the Subaru of Jim Harrison and Harvey Bell.

In a closely fought encounter, Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin won the Adare based Circuit of Munster Rally, the fourth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

Niall Maguire and co-driver, Paul McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) won an exciting Hotel Kilmore Cavan Rally, the third round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

After the opening loop of three stages in the Hotel Kilmore Cavan Rally, the third round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, both Monaghan’s, Niall Maguire and Cavan’s, Patrick Elliott in Subaru WRC’s share the lead with the Hyundai WRC of Cahal Arthurs a mere second adrift in third.

SECOND SEED Roger Federer and home favourite Lleyton Hewitt

Second seed Roger Federer and home favourite Lleyton Hewitt remain on collision course at the Australian Open, but for them to meet in the last 16 both will have to overcome teenagers with bright futures.

Wayne Arthurs today buried the Davis Cup demons that have haunted him for two years as Australia took charge of the 2003 final with a doubles victory over Spain.

Pete Sampras' miserable run stretched to 32 tournaments without a win as he crashed out of the Cincinnati Masters at the hands of Wayne Arthurs.

Nicolas Escude gave France their ninth Davis Cup with a win over Wayne Arthurs in the deciding tie of the final in Melbourne.