AIDAN O’BRIEN has admitted that the judicial decision to prevent Kieren Fallon from riding Recital in the Epsom Derby was a distraction he could have done without and might well have cost the horse a better finish than his 4½ length sixth to Pour Moi.

Odd couple Rory McIlroy and Adrian Morrow survived the carnage to lead after the first qualifying round of the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close Championship at the European Club.

The First Round of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championshiop has been completed at Baltray Golf Club in Co Louth.