The Paul Townend-ridden Pires gained a last-gasp victory in the featured Water Towers Chase in Ballinrobe, continuing the superb form of trainer Tony Martin.

Inexperienced 7lb. claimer Thomas Doran received a massive 50-day ban following his handling of Massini’s Trap, third to The Ring Is King in the opening Paddy Smyth Memorial Maiden Hurdle in Ballinrobe last night.

Robbie Dunne’s heroics on Rigadin De Beauchene earn him another valuable moment in the limelight in Saturday’s Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has unearthed another gem in The New One, whose bloodless success at Warwick has fuelled understandable Cheltenham Festival dreams.

Dunne’s Irish Bar in Barcelona’s Gothic quarter attracted a full house for Ireland’s match against Spain in last night’s European Championships.

SHERCHANCEIT, trained by Mary O’Connnor at Tallow, Co Waterford, ran her rivals ragged to land the featured Dawn Milk Run Handicap Hurdle before an an excellent attendance of 4,808 at Killarney yesterday.

GER Lyons, on the mark at Leopardstown on Thursday, struck again when Putapriceonthat and Rain Delayed provided him with a double at Down Royal last night.

THERE’S little doubt the most promising horse on view at Limerick yesterday was Willie Mullins’ Quiscover Fontaine and he duly completed a hat-trick of wins in the Greenmount Racing Club Novice Hurdle.

Dundalk have gone three points clear at the top of the Eircom League First Division after a 3-0 win over Athlone Town at Oriel Park last night.

Dundalk 1 Waterford United 1

DUNDALK overcame the elements and Finn Harps to clinch the runners-up spot in the First Division at Finn Park yesterday.

DUNDALK moved three points clear of Galway United at the top of the eircom League First Division with a 4-0 rout over 10-man Athlone in Oriel Park last night.

St. Patrick’s Athletic 2 Dundalk 0

ROOFTOP PROTEST sprung a minor surprise when seeing off odds-on favourite Rocket Ship in the Diffusion Event Management Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday.

Out of League action for three weeks, Cork City will be looking to maintain their lead at the top of the table when they face Bray Wanderers at Turner's Cross.

Bray Wanderers' good performances recently have yielded just two points from four games but they will be hoping to get a win against bottom side Finn Harps.

Bray Wanderers will be hoping to upset League leaders Cork City when the two clubs meet at the Carlisle Grounds.

TRAINER Tom Taaffe and jockey Davy Russell, who will have their attention focussed on today’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, were both on the mark in yesterday’s St. Patrick’s Day action at Wexford.

IN-FORM Tom Ryan, Ireland’s leading claimer, struck again at Downpatrick when partnering the John Fowler-trained Native Beat to a hard-earned victory over Barkley in the marathon Powers Ulster National.

Galway United and Dundalk are level at 1-1 in their eircom League First Division clash Terryland Park tonight.

Drogheda United romped to an easy 4-1 victory at the expense of Dundalk in the Eircom League Cup on Monday evening.

Dundalk have announced the signing of three further players in the club’s bid to rejoin the top flight ranks of the eircom League.

Cobh Ramblers 2 Drogheda United 2

THE FAI cannot afford to drag its feet in implementing the recommendations of the Genesis report if it wants to regain public credibility, according to Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, Opposition spokesperson for sport.