THE tail-end of Hurricane Katia has made the practice rounds for the Chartis Irish Cups and Shields finals at Castlerock, Co Derry over the past few days more a test of stamina than skill, although it is confidently expected calm will have been restored when the festival gets under way today with the semi-finals of both the Barton Shield and Irish Junior Cup.

THE introduction of a two year-cycle for the European Championships was originally met with scepticism, particularly as it means an extra event in Olympic year but Joanne Cuddihy is one athlete who welcomes the decision.

A British spiritual healer struck a woman with a frying pan and strangled her after deciding during a meditation session that she should die, according to police documents.

BISHOP of Limerick Donal Murray, who was harshly criticised in a damning report on the Church’s mishandling of clerical child sex abuse, was last night given the full backing of priests and Mass-goers in his diocese.

THE young people’s wing of Fianna Fáil in Limerick has warned against any government move to raise the legal age for buying drink from 18 to 21.

AN HOUR after the final whistle in this thrilling Limerick county senior final yesterday, the Gaelic Grounds was still buzzing, the celebrating Bruree supporters milking the last few drops of a fantastic occasion for the club.

TONY MULLINS' Stadium Project produced an extraordinary performance to win the Kerryman Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Killarney last night.

Neans McSweeney, South-East Correspondent

IT is easy to forget that only two years ago, Olive Loughnane was the 12th fastest female race-walker in the world over 20k. But the statistic seemed to get lost in the hysteria after her team-mate and friend Gillian O’Sullivan claimed a world championship silver in Paris.

THERE were heart-breaking scenes at Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School yesterday as former pupils who should be enjoying their summer break gathered to mourn and support one another.

A SCHOOL in Waterford has been closed after vandals set a car alight and forced it through the rear entrance of the building, causing tens of thousands of euro in damage.

CORK Racecourse yesterday announced Michael O’Neill as the new general manager.

Michael O’Neill has been appointed general manager at Cork racecourse.

GILLIAN O’SULLIVAN suffered a minor injury scare last week but will be fully fit for the final of the 20k walk on Monday morning.

MEDALS are not awarded for effort in the tough world of race walking but if they were then Gillian O’Sullivan would surely have strode away with gold after yesterday’s World Cup event in Naumburg.

GILLIAN O’SULLIVAN has predicted that tomorrow’s world cup race will answer a lot of questions as the build up to the Olympic Games in Athens enters a new phase.

GILLIAN O’SULLIVAN returns home on Saturday with her silver medal from the women’s 20k walk at the World championships and is looking forward to a well earned holiday.

IF you travel regularly between Cork to Killarney you must surely have come across the red-head walking at a hectic pace either along the Carrigrohane Straight Road or around Glenflesk, but don’t be surprised if you recognise a new spring in her step next time you spot her.

CHANCES are you didn’t even read it and, if you did, it probably passed over your head and meant very litle anyway.

COURSE manager, Michael Lane, doesn’t anticipate any problems, weatherwise, for tonight’s meeting at Cork, where the feature is the Listed Blue Wind Stakes.

CORK is among the front-runners to host the European Cross-Country Championships in 2005 — the year the City will hold the status of European Capital of Culture.

Neans McSweeney