As Rally Portugal begins in earnest today, Craig Breen scarcely needs reminding that he is the only driver from within the top echelon of the World Rally Championship yet to win a round of the series.

Miguel Angel Jimenez has his own record as the oldest winner in European Tour history in his sights after making a flying start to the Omega European Masters.

Olivia Mehaffey had a mixed start on day one of the European Ladies´ Amateur Championship in Switzerland, going into this morning’s second round five strokes off the lead.

Stuart Grehan fired in a flawless three-under-par opening round of 69 in tough conditions to lead the Irish assault on the European Amateur Championship in Estonia.

Banbridge driver Kenny McKinstry (Subaru WRC) with Kenny Hull calling the pacenotes won the Carey Cleaning Machines Icebreaker Rally in the forests of north Antrim.

Whatever about her Olympic hopes, Leona Maguire is certain to be an inspiration for Ireland in the European Ladies Team Championships at Helsingor Golf Club in Denmark today.

Antrim’s Derek McGarrity has secured his fifth Tour of Sperrins Rally win to extend his lead in the McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship.

Motorsport: A strong performance over the first run of the stage paved the way for Lisburn’s Wesley Patterson (Ford Escort) and his co-driver Johnny Baird to claim victory in the Cloyne-based AceSigns-sponsored Imokilly Single Stage Rally.

Athletics Ireland high performance manager Kevin Ankrom is hanging his hopes on Robert Heffernan winning a medal in the 50km race walk at the European Championships in Zurich.

And just like that, it was all over. All those months of debating, arguing and predicting. The taunting, training and trash-talking. All put to bed with one devastating swoop of Carl Froch’s right hand.

Lisburn’s Paula Grant staged a magnificent rally and defied gale force winds at Ballybunion yesterday to defeat Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) and capture the Irish Ladies Close Championship for the first time.

Two Irish internationals made history for the wrong reasons in the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship at Machynys Peninsula in South Wales yesterday.

Pioneers of innovation in Irish motorsport, the Killarney and District Motor Club will herald the introduction of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship on next week’s caretll.ie International Rally of the Lakes.

Logic and mathematics continue to suggest that Leinster will fall short in their attempt to escape the confines of the pool stages this weekend but a scan of Joe Schmidt’s team yesterday was enough to give pause.

A six over par 77 for an aggregate of 225 at Slovenia’s Diners Club wrecked any chances Irish girls champion Jessica Carty had of surviving the 54 hole cut in the European Ladies Individual Amateur Championship.

Sycerika McMahon has qualified for the women's 100m freestyle at May's European Swimming Championships in Debrecen, Hungary.

Leona Maguire stepped up the defence of her Portugese Ladies Open Amateur title in difficult conditions in Lisbon yesterday.

NEWLY-CROWNED Irish Tarmac Group N champion, Garry Jennings headlines tomorrow’s Bailey NiteClub Redcastle Oceanfront Spa Hotel Donegal Harvest Rally, the penultimate round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

Team manager Patsy McGonagle hailed the efforts of Ireland's top track and field stars as they finished a very credible eighth in the European Team Championships 1st League event in Budapest.

Three players sharing the lead after the opening round of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Bangor Golf Club today.

EMMA O’DRISCOLL (Ballybunion) defeated Paula Grant (Lisburn) to capture the Lancome Girls’ Irish Close Championship title in sensational style at Castletroy GC yesterday.

Tony Hayes (K Club) set the pace after the opening round of the 54 holes Irish Seniors Amateur Close Championship, sponsored by Tourism Malaysia, when he shot a one under par 71 at Roscommon Golf Club.

Portstewart's Paul Cutler and Portmarnock’s James Fox fired three-under-par 69s to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at fast-running Baltray.

Danielle McVeigh saw her challenge at the NCAA Women's Championship halted by high winds yesterday in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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

Limerick's Pat Murray fired a three under par 69 to share the first round lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at Baltray.

Scrabo's Andrew McCormick put a poor start behind him to grab the early lead in the East of Ireland Championship at Co Louth.

Former Shamrock Rovers striker Stephen Grant fired a sensational course record 64 in the first round of the Radisson SAS sponsored West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

IT was a busy, yet memorable weekend for the Magee family from Raphoe, Co Donegal.

Irish golfer Niall Turner took his place at US collegiate golf’s top table with a top 10 finish at the prestigious NCAA Championships in Oregon last night.

East of Ireland Championship at the Co Louth golf club

WITH three different leaders after each of the opening three rounds, the Dunlop National Rally Championship is shaping up to be an intriguing contest.

Democratic Unionists were today challenged to prove they are serious about power sharing.

A leading loyalist today urged nationalists to reserve their judgment on the Ulster Defence Association’s ceasefire until next year.

John Murphy and Carol Minihane are the toast of Bandon Golf Club after hoisting the Munster representatives into tomorrow's final of the BMW All-Ireland mixed foursomes at Belvoir Park.

A putting tip from Bobby Browne half-an-hour before tee-off helped Liam Bowler to a course record at Greenore, during the opening round in the 36-holes Killester Travel PGA Challenge Trophy tournament.

SONIA O'SULLIVAN will compete in the 800m on at the national track and field championships at Morton Stadium, Santry, tomorrow, but there will be no head-to-head with Ireland's current middle distance sensation, Geraldine Hendricken.