A Government decision to examine the feasibility of putting two controversial powerlines underground has been described as an “election stunt” to appease backbenchers under pressure in their constituencies.

Up to 10,000 landowners and householders, who have formed a national alliance to fight EirGrid’s €500m pylon corridor, have said their national campaign is not short of financial backing.

All seven nominees for this year’s Billy Coleman Award for the Young Rally Driver of the Year have now been announced.

Armenia 0 Republic of Ireland 2

After almost a decade-long absence, top-class cricket returns to Cork this weekend with The Mardyke scheduled to host the first game of the new RSA Inter-Regional Series tomorrow between North and South.

The final Louth derby of the season takes place tonight as Dundalk and Drogheda United go head to head at Oriel Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

Galway United v Drogheda United

IT’S been a good week for league leaders Sligo Rovers.

Shamrock Rovers return to domestic duties with a league clash against Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium, kick-off 2.00pm.

Derry City 2 Drogheda United 2

Dundalk 2 Drogheda United 1

LOUTH’S deadly rivals will meet again on Tuesday for an FAI Cup quarter-final place after 10-man Drogheda held out for a draw at Hunky Dorys Park.

Drogheda United will be looking to get some points on the board as they face a daunting away day at Dalymount Park to take on Bohemians, kick-off 7.45pm.

UCD open their Airtricity League campaign with a trip to Hunky Dorys Park to face Drogheda United (kick-off 7.45pm).

Shamrock Rovers 2 Drogheda United 0

Bray Wanderers 1 Drogheda United 1

Drogheda United 0 St. Patrick’s Athletic 3

Sligo Rovers 2 Drogheda United 1

The Republic of Ireland Under-23s boosted their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the International Challenge Trophy with a well deserved 1-0 win over Estonia in Tallinn last night.

Drogheda United 0 Sporting Fingal 4

Drogheda United 0 Bohemians 1

Galway United 2 Drogheda United 1

Bray Wanderers will be hoping for a victory that would close the gap on fellow strugglers Drogheda United when the two sides meet at Hunky Dorys Park tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC boss Pete Mahon has demanded that his side keep a hold of top spot in the Airtricity Premier Division when they take on Bohemians at Dalymount Park tonight (7.45pm).

IT MIGHT, in reality, be the Airtricity League versus the Football Conference but any meeting of Ireland and England comes with added spice and tonight’s International Challenge Trophy game at the RSC in Waterford (7.30) is no exception.

Lorcan Fitzgerald has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad ahead of Wednesday night’s match against England at the RSC. The Sporting Fingal defender replaces Ian Bermingham of St Patrick’s Athletic, who has been forced to withdraw due to an Achilles injury.

Dundalk defender Shaun Kelly has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad to face England at the RSC next Wednesday.

Republic of Ireland U-23 manager Paul Doolin today named a 20-man squad to face England in their opening International Challenge Trophy match at Waterford’s RSC on May 26.

GUESS what? We went to see a circus and a football match broke it.

St Patrick's Athletic entertain Shamrock Rovers in tonight's League of Ireland Premier Division clash at the Richmond Park.

SLIGO ROVERS striker Raffaele Cretaro has been named the Soccer Writers’ Association Player Of The Month for June after his goals proved crucial in eliminating Cork City in the FAI Cup.

Cork City 0 Shamrock Rovers 0

Sligo Rovers will be looking for a victory to take them out of the relegation zone when they entertain Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds to night, kick-off 8pm.

WE KNOW about winning ugly but this was more a case of drawing ugly as neither Shamrock Rovers nor Cork City were able to live up to their reputations as sides who like to get the ball down and play.

Shamrock Rovers 2 Bray Wanderers 2

Cobh Ramblers 1 Shamrock Rovers 0

Shamrock Rovers 3 Cork City 0

Drogheda United 1 Shamrock Rovers 1

MAJESTIC Limerick imposed a severe reality check on Cork County at the Mardyke and the Shannonsiders’ win gave them the Munster Senior League cricket pennant for the first time in 14 years.

Cork County retained the Munster Senior Cup at the Mardyke, sweeping away the Harlequins’ challenge.

Ryan O’Leary, son of former Irish international Pierce O’Leary and nephew of new Aston Villa manager David O’Leary, has been named in a squad of 18 players for a four-nation tournament in Hungary from August 12 to August 17.

THE loss yesterday of the bowler/batsman John Power for the Royal Liver Senior Cup tie against CYM was disappointing news for a Cork County team intent on rewriting history in the competition.

THE Cork County cricket team are heading into their first second-round game in the Royal Liver “with a degree of optimism” after their historic first victory in the competition last week.

Republic of Ireland Under-16 manager Vincent Butler has named a squad of 18 players for an assessment match against Longford Town at Flancare Park, Longford, on Wednesday, November 13, 2002, (kick-off 7.30pm).