The first round of the 2009 Dunlop National Rally Championship, the Abbey Court Hotel Nenagh Rally saw reigning champions, Patrick Elliott and co-driver, Paul Goodman (Subaru WRC) take an overwhelming victory.

Cork driver Keith Cronin (Mitsubishi), partnered by David Power, secured back-to-back victories in the Banna Hotel Kerry Mini Stage Rally today.

Wexford's, Eamonn Boland and co-driver, Damien Morrissey (Subaru WRC) are on course to clinch the Irish Tarmac Championship.

Another good day for Manx native, Mark Higgins and his Donegal co-driver, Rory Kennedy, in their Group N Subaru, who extended their lead in Rally Isle of Man, a counting round of both the Irish Tarmac and British Rally Championships.

Fastest through the evening’s final and longest stage, Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru) have an overnight lead of 18 seconds over Guy Wilks/David Moynihan (Mitsubishi) in the Rally Isle of Man International.

A massive battle for supremacy during the second leg of the Manx International Rally saw Eugene Donnelly (Toyota Corolla) move 20 seconds ahead of rival and fellow Northern ace Kenny McKinstry (Subaru) tonight.

Eugene Donnelly and co-driver Paul Kiely now enjoy a substantial lead in the Meteor Electrical Circuit of Ireland Rally as the second leg concluded in Derry this evening.

By Brian O'Mahony(BR>IT never made any sense that the banks saw their customers as a cost and spent decades driving them out of their branches.

Brian O'Mahony column

EXPERTS believe they have traced every haemophiliac infected with HIV or hepatitis C as a result of receiving contaminated blood products.

Brian O'Mahony, Chief Business Correspondent

By Brian O'Mahony, Chief Business Correspondent

Lansdowne moved off the bottom of the AIB League Division One as full back Brian O'Mahony kicked an injury time drop goal to edged hosts Blackrock 19-17 at Stradbrook.

Shannon have joined Limerick rivals Garryowen at the top of the AIB League Division One table thanks to a four-try 29-13 win over Lansdowne on headquarters' back pitch.

Shannon have joined Limerick rivals Garryowen at the top of the AIB League Division One table thanks to a four-try 29-13 win over Lansdowne on headquarters' back pitch.

UCD 23 Lansdowne 3

Cork sailor John Twomey produced Ireland's best result of the Paralympics so far, as he guided his 23ft keelboat to third in the second of today's Sonar class races at the Agios Kosmas centre.

BRIAN O’MAHONY’S praise for US Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan (Irish Examiner, July 3) is misplaced, as any objective analysis of the US economy would indicate.

Lansdowne will look to build on their last minute win over Clontarf. But, they face a stiff task at Ballymena.

ATTEMPTING to call the Erin All-Ireland U-21 hurling semi-final between Tipperary and Galway in Ennis is really just a game of bluff.

I REFER to Brian O’Mahony’s recent articles in the Irish Examiner on the Fresh Milk Producers’ (FMP) proposal to take Glanbia plc private.

WHILE last Sunday’s senior All-Ireland hurling loss to Kilkenny will still be weighing heavily on the minds of most of the Tipperary lads, the period of mourning lasted all of 24 hours for ace corner-forward Eoin Kelly.

By Brian O'Mahony

League leaders Clontarf are waiting to see if centre Conor Mahony passes a fitness test for the visit of St Mary's College to Castle Avenue this weekend.

Lansdowne will wait on the fitness of backs Brian O'Mahony, Karl Becker and Killian Kennedy and openside Liam Toland before settling on the side to face St Mary's College at Templeville Road.

Garryown 13 Lansdowne 26

A courageous performance from Lansdowne was enough to see off a determined Shannon at Lansdowne Road today.

Ruthless Lansdowne were fully deserving of this emphatic scoreline and began the game strongly with O'Donovan opening the scoring.

UCD 20 Landsdowne 29

SUNDAY’S racing at Mondello Park will be dominated by the Fiat Punto Abarth Cup and the famed Leinster Trophy race.

THE article by Brian O'Mahony in Friday's edition of the Irish Examiner on the outlook for farmers is laced with questionable assumptions.

Brian O'Mahony, Business Correspondent

Young Munster said farewell to Div One of the AIL League with a deserved 30-10 victory over Lansdowne at Tom Clifford Park.

Consolidating his lead role on the second run, Ray Breen went on to win the Cork Single Stage Rally, his first ever victory.

Mondello Park hosts its most prestigious fixture since its re-development.

Mark Smith was an impressive winner in the 100National category in the Irish Karting Championship third round at Kartworld, Watergrasshill.