THE anticipated mass protest by animal rights activists failed to materialise at the National Coursing meeting yesterday, with about 30 campaigners picketing outside the Clonmel venue during the climax of the annual hare-coursing gala.

IT’S a winter sport with a challenge, for spectators.

NOTED breeders Peter and Marion O’Connell won their eighth Simmental championship of 2006 at Clonmel Show — an outstanding achievement for their Raceview herd at Knoppogue, Mallow, which has also won seven interbreed championships.

ALTHOUGH there are few certainties in rallying, Niall Maguire should wrap up the Dunlop National Rally Championship at the Clonmel Arms Hotel/FESP-sponsored Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally on Sunday.

Setting fastest time on both of the opening two stages of the Clonmel Arms Hotel Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally, Paul Harris, in his Auto Fast Fit Subaru Impreza has a 17 second lead over local favourite Frank Meagher (Ford Focus WRC).