A new ferry service that will sail from Ireland to the west of France and northern Spain has been announced.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has plenty to think about this week as he readies his previously all-conquering side for their crucial upcoming World Cup 2014 qualifiers against Finland in Gijon on Friday, and then France in Paris three days later.

Ireland’s show jumpers joined the Netherlands, Germany, the US, Belgium and Portugal in failing to make the second round of the five-star Promotional League Nations Cup at Gijon, Spain, on Saturday.

SHOWJUMPER Dermott Lennon yesterday hailed his “absolutely amazing” mount Loughview Lou Lou after she carried him to victory in the grand prix at London’s Olympia.

DEFENCE Minister Alan Shatter has rejected a request that the Army Equitation School boost Ireland’s chances of qualifying two riders for the Olympics by loaning one of its top horses, Annestown, to Billy Twomey.

THE World Cup’s Western European League begins this weekend in Oslo, and Denis Lynch is taking a different approach to last year.

SPANISH police arrested three suspected members of the so-called “Anonymous” group yesterday on charges of cyber attacks against targets including Sony’s PlayStation store, governments, businesses and banks.

Mikel Nieve claimed the 16th stage of the Vuelta a Espana today while his fellow Spaniard Joaquin Rodriguez regained the overall lead.

DENIS LYNCH, Cian O’Connor and Billy Twomey were yesterday named by Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine to be part of his squad for the Alltech World Equestrian Games, which begin next month.

IT HAS emerged that Cork is to the forefront of an EU drive to create “Motorways of the Seas”, with the aim of reducing pollution and container transport costs.

IT is a measure of the respect and affection with which show jumper Marie Burke is held that, following her surprise axing by manager Robert Splaine from the European Championships team in Mannheim last month, she was the subject of much condolence.

CO. DOWN -born Conor Swail walked away with the Grand Prix trophy at the five-star show in Gijon, Spain tonight after two fault-free rounds on the nine year-old Dutch-bred ‘Rivaal’.

SHOW jumper Peter Charles yesterday said he would “rule nothing in, or, nothing out” when asked of speculation he is about to change nationality.

Fernando Morientes has been recalled to the Spain squad for Wednesday’s friendly international with Uruguay in Gijon.

EXPLOSIONS hit two Spanish coastal cities yesterday after a newspaper received a warning in the name of armed Basque separatist group ETA.

Charlton today swooped to make their first signing of the summer by capturing Danish international goalkeeper Stephan Andersen from AB Copenhagen.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney will headline Glastonbury on the finale of his new summer tour announced today.

THE decision not to send a showjumping team to the cash-rich Spruce Meadows show in Calgary next week was based on the desire to do well at the World Equestrian Games, according to Peter Charles.