THERE was joy in southern Spain last night for four Irishmen who battled their way through Stage 2 of the European Tour qualifying process and now go forward to the marathon six-round decider beginning at Catalunya, Girona, on Saturday.

MARCUS HORAN believes the disappointment of losing the home Magners League fixture to Ospreys last weekend will spur Munster as they tackle another mountainous European climb at Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian, tomorrow.

I LIVE in a beautiful part of rural Co Kildare and I love the landscape and the wildlife that surrounds me. But now and again I get a hankering for something different. And I have to admit that Kildare is slightly lacking in high mountains and dramatic seascapes.