S P O R T

Rugby
Heineken European Cup
........SU Agen 13........Leinster 25
........Munster 32 ........Cardiff Blues 18
........Ulster 29........London Irish 13
European Challenge Cup Pool Four
........Montpellier 35........Connacht 22
AIB All-Ireland League Division One
........Ballymena 29........Terenure C. 10
........Buccaneers 8........Garryowen 6
........Clontarf 26........Blackrock C. 22
........Dungannon 25........UCD 24
........Lansdowne 17........Galwegians 16
........UL Bohemians 15........Belfast quins 9
........Cork Con. 17........Shannon 17
........Dolphin 19........St Mary's C. 13
Sports Shorts
Soccer: Galway United are the main beneficiaries after the FAI unveiled the 12 teams that will make up the new National League Premier Division, to replace the Eircom League as the league comes under the governance of the IFA. The 12 teams making up the new top flight includes the top ten teams in last year's Premier Division: Shelbourne, Derry City, Cork City, Drogheda United, Sligo Rovers, UCD, St Patrick's Athletic, Bohemians, Longford Town and Bray Wanderers; First Division champions Shamrock Rovers; and Galway United. Waterford United and Dundalk were the main losers. Waterford lost their premier division status despite having a better recent record than Galway, while Dundalk were rated 12th in the country after finishing second in the First Division, above Galway, and winning their play-off against Waterford. But the teams were judged on their league standings for the past five years and on the structure of the club off the field – finances, fan base, facilities, youth structure, etc. There is no appeals process in the decision, but Dundalk are reportedly seeking legal advice as to their options.

Golf: European number one Pádraig Harrington finished eighth in a 16-strong field in the Target World Challenge, at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California. His opening round of 75 gave him a mountain to climb and although he finished on five-under this was 11 behind runaway winner Tiger Woods, who also hosted the tournament.

Following the success of September's Ryder Cup, another prestigious international golf tournament has been awarded to Ireland. The 2011 Solheim Cup, essentially the ladies' equivalent to the Ryder Cup featuring Europe and the United States, will be held in Killeen Castle in Co. Meath. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course is still under construction.
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