Government and OCI rift healed, claims Hickey

by Brendan Mooney
THE rift which developed between the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) and the Government during the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 has since healed considerably.
In fact the President of the OCI, Pat Hickey, was able to tell delegates at last night's Annual General Meeting that their relationship with the Minister for Sport and the Sports Council had dramatically improved.
"The previous Sports Minister, Mr. Bernard Allen, reduced the administration grant of the Olympic Council of Ireland and, in doing so, tried to break the democratic principles on which the Olympic Movement in Ireland is founded," he said.
"After representations to the current Minister, Dr McDaid, I am pleased to advise you that the Administration Grant for the OCI has been increased and I would like to thank him," said Hickey.
The Olympic Council were the recipients of a substantial technology grant from the Minister for Sport and the Irish Sports Council. It is intended to improve the technological facilities at the OCI and upgrade the service provided to the various federations
Mr Hickey said the OCI is out of step with some of its federated sports and other prominent National Governing Bodies in Ireland in that they do not have a premises of their own and must rent accommodation. He said they hoped to achieve this goal next year or certainly by the 2000 Olympics
The build up to Sydney 2000 has already begun. OCI have already sent two teams to view progress there and the most recent, comprised of Billy Kennedy and Dermot Henihan, visited seven possible sites for training camps for Irish athletes and will be making recommendations to the OCI over the coming months.
When grand aid to the Irish Amateur Swimming Association was suspended by the Minister pending investigations into well publicised scandals the OCI stepped in to help young swimmers prepare for Sydney. "We in the Olympic Council did not criticise the Minister in that what emerged was utterly reprehensible," Mr Hickey said.
"Regrettably, the suspension of grant Aid to the Irish Amateur Swimming Association resulted in innocent athletes suffering. It is the duty of the Olympic Council of Ireland to see to it that each athlete and each sport gets a fair and reasonable opportunity to prepare for and qualify for participation in an Olympic Games.
During the year the Olympic Council of Ireland with limited assistance from the IOC funded Ireland's participation in the Winter Olympics in Nagano.
And Emily Maher's gold medal success at the World Youth Olympic Games in Moscow highlighted what he described as totally inadequate funding from the Government and the Irish Sports Council.
"The aid offered was totally inadequate and put the Olympic Council into a difficult position whereby they would have to cherry pick from the vast pool of talent and to leave deserving young athletes at home," he said.
But they intend to have a full strength team at the European Youth Olympics in Denmark next year.
And that will include an Irish Youth Soccer team as Ireland is one of only six nations invited to send football teams to the event.
He also expressed delight at the fact that Ireland have been extremely lucky in having as their Olympic Attache for Sydney, Mr John Fahey, the current Minister for Finance of the Australian Federal Government and former Prime Minister of New South Wales.
With family roots in Galway, he is a frequent visitor to Ireland.
"Ireland has access to one of the most influential political personalities in Australia to the extent that the Sydney Organising Committee have made representations to the Olympic Council of Ireland to have access to John Fahey on certain matters," Mr Hickey said.
He thanked all their sponsors and those included Adidas.
It is understood that a major sponsorship deal between Adidas and the Olympic Council of Ireland is to be announced shortly.
Last time around, the OCI signed a deal with Reebok, with whom Sonia O'Sullivan also had a contract.
Since then the double world and European champion has moved to Nike but Catherina McKiernan has a lucrative contract with Adidas.

Jurys honour Keane and Landers

by Bill George
TWO of Cork's outstanding sports personalities were honoured yesterday when Roy Keane (Manchester United) and Mark Landers (Imokilly) were elected winners of Jurys sports star awards.
Landers was elected for his part in helping Imokilly retain the Cork Senior Hurling Championship, the highlight of which was their impressive victory over Blackrock in the final at Pairc Uí Chaoimh.
Keane, who has been consistently good with Manchester United since returning from serious injury this season, was honoured for his marvellous performance for Ireland in the European Championship against Yugoslavia in Belgrade last month.
Landers, who was voted Cork's top sports person for the month of October, played a pivotal role at centre-back in Imokilly's impressive march to the senior championship.
He also played a major role for Cork this year when they won the National League title but he suffered disappointment when his club side, Killeagh, went down to Castlelyons in the final of the Cork Intermediate Championship.
Keane has been an inspiring captain of United and Ireland this season and his enormous influence on the National team was never more effectively seen then in the recent European Championship tie against Yugoslavia.
Ireland lost 0-1 but put up a brave and highly creditable performance in Belgrade and Keane was always a significant force in the Irish midfield with a rousing performance that ensured he was honoured by winning the Jurys sports star award for November.

Basketball coach faces fraud charges

IRISH basketball coach, Robert Burke, was yesterday further remanded in custody until December 9 by Bow Street Magistrates Court where he faces extradition to the US on charges of fraud and a breach of parole order.
Burke, 47, of Toureen Bealadegen, Co. Galway, had been described by Mr Jason Mansell, for the US Government as a naturalised US citizen and a itinerant fraudster.
He had first been jailed for five years in America on March, 3, 1993, but had been released on parole on January 24 the following year.
He stayed six months in a parole hostel under supervision, but had then failed to comply with the terms of his probation order.
In May, 1994, while still in the hostel, he had started to negotiate loans for a landfill development near Chicago.
At one stage he demanded and was paid US$6,174, saying that the money was needed to finance the loan, but the loan never materialised.
Burke then flew to Britain where he had a relationship with a woman in Birmingham where he stayed for a while.
He then formed another relationship with a woman in Co. Galway, and was arrested by police in Birmingham when they were tipped off by the previous girlfriend who said that he would be in the city as a sports coach.
The ex-girlfriend met him at New Street Station, Birmingham, and kissed him on the cheek and extradition squad officers moved in immediately.

Minister aims broadside at GAA over grounds

by Michael Ellard
MINISTER FOR SPORT, Dr. Jim McDaid believes that the GAA are proving to be the main stumbling block to Ireland's prospects of hosting a major event such as the European soccer championships.
The Minister maintains that if the GAA relaxed its rules on the control of grounds and allowed other sports, especially soccer, to be played in Croke Park and other grounds then Ireland could realistically look towards hosting major international sporting events.
"I have been sceptical anytime I heard suggestions about hosting the Olympic Games and because of the situation with the GAA it is difficult to see us running European soccer championships," Dr. McDaid told the new Irish sports magazine, Sports Write.
"I have always said if we could get over this stumbling block with the GAA we could run something like the European soccer championships," said the Minister, who added, "The GAA know my opinion. It is a matter for them but I would like to see co-operation in sport because it can only bring good." However, the Minister is of the opinion that Croke Park should not be considered as the venue for the new National Stadium.
"Speaking on a personal level the idea of Croke Park as the National Stadium, "is not a runner," he said.
Dr. McDaid is convinced though that Dublin can accommodate two major stadiums and that the provision of such facilities would be the first step towards Ireland becoming a major international centre for sports.
In response to the negative reaction towards plans for a National Stadium, the Minister insists that the current effort is serious. "The people involved, like JP McManus don't work on a hunch or a whim. To some the idea of a National Stadium might seem like a lot of hot air but the type of business people who have been coming to my office putting forward proposals had their homework done," he added.
In a frank interview with the new magazine, which is under the managing editorship of well-known GAA correspondent Donal Keenan, Dr. McDaid has promised that he will provide significant financial support for a re-vamp of Dalymount Park. "It really is a pity to see the ground in such a dilapidated state. There are so many memories in the ground, it hosted so many great occasions that we cannot allow it to continue in its present state," he said.
The interview with the Minister is just one of the many articles in the 96-page launch edition of the new sports magazine which will be published on the first Wednesday of every month from February.

Fitzgerald takes corner-forward spot to boost Kerry for Westmeath clash

by Michael Ellard
MAURICE FITZGERALD has been selected to play for the Kingdom in next Sunday's Church and General National League game against Westmeath at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.
The 1997 'footballer of the year' sat out the start of Kerry's last two games with Louth and Antrim but was introduced as a substitute on both occasions.
Fitzgerald has been selected to play in the left corner-forward position with Dara O´ Cinnéide moving to centre-forward to the exclusion of Liam Hassett, who is named as a substitute.
Conscious of the fact that they must win all their remaining games in Division 2 'A', if hopes of a place in the knock-out stages of the competition are to be kept alive, the Kerry selectors have otherwise named an unchanged team from that which rode roughshod over Antrim at Casement Park in Belfast on Sunday last.
After three games Kerry find themselves bracketed on four points with Sunday's opponents Westmeath and Wicklow, two points adrift of table-toppers Roscommon. With just one team to qualify from the section every game in the preliminary rounds is vital.
Limerick are awaiting a fitness report on their injured midfielder John Quane before naming their side to play Antrim at Dromcollagher on Sunday.
The Munster Railway Cup player picked up a leg injury recently and is considered doubtful for this Division 2 'A' game, which will feature the first ever competitive football contest between Limerick and Antrim.
The counties previously met in a challenge match at the Gaelic Grounds in 1985.
Meanwhile high-flying Meath have established themselves as the early trend-setters in the first division of the League following the completion of the opening three rounds of the competition.
Successive victories over Clare, Monaghan and Laois set Meath apart as the only county in Divisions 1A and 1B to go into the Christmas break with a 100 per cent record and Sean Boylan's team also has the distinction of being the highest scorers and of having the lowest give-away rate.
Meath have scored 6-32 in their three games while conceding just 11 points and with four games to come after the winter recess in February the representatives of the Royal County are strongly positioned to gain a place in the knock out stages of the competition.
Kildare are also unbeaten in Division 1 'B' but have dropped a point, while Dublin and Cork are the only unbeaten teams in Division 1 'A, both gaining five out of a possible six points in their opening three games.
Roscommon and Wexford are setting the pace in Divisions 2 'A' and 2 'B' respectively. Both are on full points after three games. Wexford's win over Tipperary last Sunday gave them three League wins on the trot, the first time they achieved that distinction for four seasons.
Divisions 1 'A', 1 'B' and 2 'B' go into recess until February 14 but the Division 2 'A' programme continues next Sunday with Wicklow playing Roscommon, Kerry at home to Westmeath, Antrim away to Limerick and London playing host to Louth.

KERRY. D. O'Keeffe; M. McCarthy, B. O'Shea, K. Burns; S. Moynihan, M. Hassett, T. O´ Sé; D. O´ Sé, W. Kirby; J. McGlynn, D. O´ Cinnéide, D. Daly; J. Murphy, J. Crowley, M. Fitzgerald. Subs. P. O'Leary, L. Hassett, N. Kennelly, E. Breen, E. Fitzmaurice, J. Ferriter, J. O'Shea, J. Sheehan, P. O'Sullivan.

Browne gives Tipp a boost with Allstar selection

by Jim O'Sullivan
A FIRST ever award in football for Tipperary in the person of Declan Browne, the naming of his former team-mate Brian Lacey — along with Mick O'Dwyer's son Karl O'Dwyer with Kildare — and the completion of a unique family combination resulting from the selection of Dermot Earley.
These were the highlights of the 1998 Eircell GAA All Stars team yesterday. Overall, it features just three players who were each previously honoured once — Kildare captain Glen Ryan last season, Meath midfielder John McDermott in 1996 and Galway centre-forward Jarlath Fallon.
It's a five-county selection, notable in other respects for the fact that League champions Offaly and Munster champions Kerry were excluded and that Ulster champions Derry were confined to one award — full-back Sean Marty Lockhart. He is one of six award winners who were involved in the international series with Australia last month.
Foremost amongst those who failed to gain awards would be Kerry's Seamus Moynihan, Dara O Se and John Crowley, Galway's Ray Silke, Sean O Domhnaill and Niall Finnegan, Meath star Tommy Dowd, Declan Kerrigan from Kildare and Vinny Claffey, a leading member of the League-winning Offaly side.Predictably, All-Ireland champions Galway received the most awards, with goalkeeper Martin McNamara included along with defenders Tomas Mannion and Sean Og de Paor, midfielder Kevin Walsh and forwards Michael Donnellan, Ja Fallon and Padraic Joyce. The last champion team to have seven players picked was Dublin in 1995.Five awards for Kildare — Lacey, John Finn and Glen Ryan in defence, Dermot Earley and Karl O'Dwyer attack — represents their biggest total ever.Last year, Ryan was one of three who received awards, after just two players had been honoured in the past. Goalkeeper Ollie Crinnigan was the first, in 1978 and current player Martin Lynch (a nominee for the attack this time) the other, at midfield.
Interestingly, while Martin McNamara (a member of the All-Ireland club-winning Corofin side) is the 16th goalkeeper to be chosen since 1971, the only other Galway 'keeper to be picked was P.J. Smyth in the very first year of the scheme.
Significantly, it's only the second time that, with the naming of Dermot Earley (born in Kildare), a father-and-son combination has been completed.
His father Dermot won two awards with his native Roscommon as a midfielder, in 1974 and 1979 and his uncle Paul was an award-winner in 1985 (also with Roscommon) at full-forward.
Galway's Liam O'Neill was chosen in 1973 team and his son Kevin was honoured in 1993 — as a Mayo player!
The team was chosen by a panel of journalists representing the national papers, RTE Television, RTE Radio, Radio na Gaeltachta and UTV. GAA President Joe McDonagh is the Chairman of the selection committee.
The Eircell Hurling All Stars will be announced live on television in the course of the presentation banquet in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin, tomorrow evening, when the guest of honour will be President Mary McAleese.
*Tipperary become the 24th county to be represented in the football awards since the inception of the scheme in 1971.The distribution of awards to date is:

Kerry 80, Dublin 67, Cork 45, Meath 37, Offaly 30, Galway 26, Derry 22, Down, Mayo, 19 each; Roscommon 14, Tyrone 13, Donegal 12, Kildare 10, Armagh 7, Monaghan 6, Laois, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan 2 each; Antrim, Clare, Fermanagh, Wicklow and Tipperary 1 each.

Sharp Farna brush aside
challenge of old rivals

St Finbarr's (Farranferris) 3-16
North Monastery 2-2
by Brendan Larkin
FARRANFERRIS brushed aside the tissue-like challenge of North Mon at Páirc Uí Rinn yesterday in the quarter-final of the Career Decisions Dr Harty Cup to set up a semi-final meeting with Templemore CBS on February 7.
There was never any doubt about the outcome of this disappointing game as Farna, inspired by centre-back Tom Kenny, led from the opening minute and had their place in the next round secured long before the final whistle.
Farna were very sharp all over the field. Their defence was rock solid, midfield more than adequate and their forwards always on the move with the result the Mon were never in the hunt. It must be a source of concern to the once mighty Mon that they have fallen so low after the heights of 1994 when they won the Harty and All-Ireland titles. For a school that gave Cork and the GAA some of its greatest hurlers and people, Mon's decline has to be seen as alarming in terms of hurling for the county.
Apart from a handful of parents, there was hardly a murmur from the Mon student followers, if they were at the venue at all. Gone are the days when rival supporters would try to out-sing and out-shout each other which added to the tension and excitement of a Harty Cup clash between these great northside city opponents.
Farna got off to a flying start with the excellent Mark O'Connor pointing two frees inside the opening two minutes. They had doubled that score after 13 minutes before the Mon, in a rare attack, grabbed a goal a minute later.
A long ball goalwards by Colin Aherne was grabbed by Brian O'Leary and he found the net with a kick. It was only a token score, however, as Farna struck over a succession of points to lead 0-7 to a 1-0 after 18 minutes.
Only some stout defending by Bernard O'Connell at full back and Emmet Neville at centre-back kept the Mon in touch, but when Ronan Murphy first-timed Mark O'Connor's free to the net in the 19th minute for a Farna goal, there was going to be only one result.
That goal helped Farranferris to an interval lead of 1-8 to 1-1. There was still no improvement from the Mon on the changeover as Farna continued to dictate matters, and finally closed the door on their opponents with a second goal seven minutes after the restart.
The Mon were forced to concede frees to prevent the lively Farna forwards from running completely riot and when Mark O'Connor had his effort from a 20-metre free blocked and the inrushing Frank Hickey hit home the rebound the remainder of the game was a stroll with Kevin Foley adding a third goal to put them 3-14 to 1-1 in front at the threequarter stage.
Mon made an effort to save some face in the last quarter and only good goalkeeping by Joe Barrett denied David Goggin a goal before a well-struck 50-metre free by Dave McCarthy went all the way to the Farna net to put some respectability on the scoreboard.
Just how good this Farna team is remains to be seen, but in Paddy Ryan, Tom Kenny, Barry Leahy, Mark O'Connor, John Russell and Conor Fitzgerald they have players well up to the standard. Only Bernard O'Connell, Emmet Neville, and Stephen O'Sullivan caught the eye for a very disappointing North Mon.
Scorers - Farranferris: J. Russell 0-5; M. O'Connor (frees), C. Fitzgerald 0-4 each; F. Hickey, R. Murphy, K. Foley 1-1 each.
North Mon: B. O'Leary, D. McCarthy 1-0 each; Shane O'Sullivan 0-2.
FARRANFERRIS: J. Barrett; R. O'Mahony, R. O'Riordan, P. Ryan; S. O'Neill, T. Kenny, M. Kelleher; B. Leahy, D. Niblock; M. O'Connor, J. Russell, C. Fitzgerald; K. Foley, R. Murphy, F. Hickey. Subs. E. O'Sullivan for Hickey; C. Hegarty for Niblock.
NORTH MON: S. O´ hAilpín; A. Busteed, B. O'Connell, P. Aherne; D. McCarthy, E. Neville, S. O'Brien; P. Daly, K. Cunningham; D. Goggin, Shane O'Sullivan, Stephen O'Sullivan; C. Aherne, B. O'Leary, S. Hackett.
Referee, J. Sexton (Limerick).

Numbers game is at centre of club row

by John Murphy
THE numbers game is at the centre of a major, and unprecedented, controversy which is threatening to scuttle a Waterford hurling final on Sunday.
Ardmore and the group side Ballyduff Lower/Butlerstown are due to meet in the county minor hurling "B'' final at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, but the fixture is now in serious doubt because the clubs can't agree on whether it should be played on the basis of 13 or 15 players-a-side. The East Waterford divisional championship was 15-a-side, and Ballyduff/Butlerstown duly lifted the title to qualify for Sunday's county final. However, the West Waterford championship was a 13-a-side one, with Ardmore defeating Stradbally in last Saturday's replayed final.
That game was watched by representatives of the Ballyduff/Butlerstown combination who were on a legitimate weighing-up mission to assess the strength of their county final opponents. It was only then, however, that they discovered the divisional final was 13-a-side.
That set off the alarm bells in a big way, and inevitably the matter was raised at this week's county board meeting when Ballyduff/Butlerstown delegate Mossie Clifford pressed the case for having teams of 15 players in Sunday's county final. In the absence of agreement, however, West Waterford board chairman Paddy Walsh, who was deputising for county chairman Paddy Joe Ryan at the time, ruled that the decider would be a 13-a-side one.
That has drawn a furious reaction from Ballyduff/Butlerstown, who are adamant that a general rule within the GAA's official guide is very much on their side. There have been strong indicators that they will not fulfil the fixture, although it is understood an emergency meeting is being held tonight to officially formulate their position. The extraordinary development stems from a motion successfully moved by the Ballyduff Upper club at the 1996 county convention seeking to have the minor hurling "B'' championship of 1997 confined to teams of 13 players because of the difficulties many rural clubs were having in fielding 15-a-side teams in the grade.
Ballyduff/Butlerstown are adamant that that arrangement was a one-off for last year only, and that to continue with it it for the 1998 championships would again have required the approval of county convention.

Cardinal Hill unlikely to
run over Christmas

by Michael Clower
CARDINAL HILL, just touched off by Alexander Banquet in the Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday, may not run at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
Noel Meade said yesterday: "Cardinal Hill has come out of the race really well but neither his owner, JP McManus, or I want to race him too often before the Supreme Novices and so I don't know whether he will run at Christmas.
"I am due to meet JP on Sunday and I should know more about plans for the horse after that."
Meanwhile Paul Nicholls, in blistering form in England this season, has his eye on the £117,000 Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.
The Somerset trainer said yesterday: "I am going to run Calling Wild and Joe Tizzard will go over to ride him. It will be Joe's first ride at Leopardstown.
"I also have See More Business in the Ericsson Chase the following day but he will not run unless Kempton is off or turns into a quagmire because I want to run him in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day."
Calling Wild shares 14-1 favouritism with the sponsors for the Paddy Power together with Hollybank Buck and Nuzum Road Makers. The eight-year-old made a good start to his chasing career last season when he won four of his five starts and he scored by seven lengths at Wincanton a fortnight ago.
Nicholls, 36, has still to train a winner in Ireland but he gained one of the biggest successes of his riding career on Playschool in the 1988 Vincent O'Brien Irish Gold Cup.
Following Mouse Morris's decision not to run Boss Doyle in Sunday's John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, Liam Cashman has installed Dorans Pride and Imperial Call as 11-10 joint favourites. Cashman also bets 10 Manhattan Castle, 14 Dun Belle, 20 Bob Treacy, 33 Amble Speedy, 66 Indestructible.
Bookmaker betting at Fairyhouse on Sunday set a course record of £862,136, beating the previous best of £806,628 on Irish Grand National day last April.
Ferdy Murphy has decided that French Holly will stick to two miles and take his chance in the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on December 28 before taking him to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Hurdle three weeks later.
The Middleham trainer reasoned: ''I know everyone says he looks as if he wants further than two miles and they may be right, but there is only one champion hurdle and his owner is keen to have a cut at it at Cheltenham.
''He got his second wind on the bend at Newcastle last week and stayed on well when second to a good horse in Dato Star.''
Murphy went on: ''He will improve from that run and will keep improving through the season as he did last term and the main aim is the Champion Hurdle - then he will go chasing next season.''
Kieren Fallon made a solid start to his spell riding in Hong Kong by scoring aboard Brave Star at Sha Tin yesterday.
Michael Hills also commenced his three-month stint and finished in the frame on three occasions.

Colonel Yeager ready to jump to it

DESPITE fierce competition from the two-day Punchestown meeting at the weekend, Cork has a very healthy appearance for its big programme on Saturday.
The prize money is decent, two £15,000 races and two for £10,000 testify to that, with the Pierse Group Novice Chase, one of four races sponsored by Pierse Contracting Ltd, who were the main contractors for the new facilities at Cork, looking particularly interesting.
But the big attraction has to be Colonel Yeager, who makes his debut over jumps in the O'Connell Transport Maiden Hurdle.
He was confirmed a certain runner by his trainer, Martin Lynch, yesterday morning. "You will definitely see him at Cork'', he said.
"He's in good order and we are very hopeful. Ruby Walsh, who will be aboard on Saturday, has schooled the horse. He has schooled really well and we are very pleased.''
Colonel Yeager was a brilliant bumper performer last season. He ran three times, scoring by 13 lengths at Thurles first time out and then following with another 13 lengths success at Tipperary.
But it was his final run at the Punchestown Festival in April which stamped him as a possible star of the future. He was beaten a length by Nigel Twiston-Davies' King's Road and was four lengths clear of third placed, To Your Honour, a highly creditable third to Alexander Banquet and Cardinal Hill at Fairyhouse on Sunday last.
The Pierse Group Novice 'Chase may well shed some light on the £40,000 Denny Gold Medal Novice 'Chase at Leopardstown on December 26. Of the 12 entries, eight have also been entered in the Denny.
Willie Mullins has a strong hand at Cork. He can choose between Palette and Micko's Dream. Palette has taken to fences really well, while Micko's Dream was superb when scoring a Thurles.
Ollimar, unbeaten in his two outings over fences, is another worth noting. Mind you, after he had won at Thurles and followed two days later at Punchestown, Jim Dreaper said the horse would be rested until Christmas. A couple more who would help to make this a real cracker are Spirit Dancer, Notcomplainingbut, Amberleigh House, Puget Blue and Ferbet Junior.
Manager at Cork, Michael Lane, is excited about Saturday, focusing on the fact that this is the most prize money there has been on offer for a National Hunt card since the racecourse opened.
Said Lane: "This is the best National Hunt programme we have had and I am hoping for a huge crowd. The track is in excellent shape. We have new ground for the hurdles track, which has not been used at all this year.''For the last two meetings at Cork, the middle fence in the straight has had to be omitted. Indeed, it led to the disqualification of Merry Gale at the last meeting. All three fences in the straight will be in use on Saturday.
Meanwhile it seems certain now that imperial Call and Dorans Pride will lock horns at Punchestown on Sunday, but more about that later in the week.
Punchestown on Saturday is set to see the second appearance over fences of Arthur Moore's Sarsfield The Man in the TC Matthews Beginners 'Chase. There was positive word for him before he had his first pop over fences at Navan last month. But he was just a trifle disappointing in finishing over 22 lengths fourth to Rince Ri. Spirit Dancer, also in at Cork, and Storm Gem could be among his main rivals, but the biggest worry looks to be Super Dealer.
Useful over flights, Dessie Hughes' charge caught the eye when a promising third behind Lanturn, on his debut over fences, at Naas.
Alexander Banquet, Cardinal Hill and To Your Honour all covered themselves in glory in that smashing novice hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
Cardinal Hill may have met defeat, but emerged from this with his reputation totally enhanced. The seriousness of that blunder at the fifth should not be underestimated and the horse had every reason to throw in the towel.
But he didn't and, ridden with more patience by Paul Carberry, probably would have won. He will be long odds-on next time!
Alexander Banquet ran the race of his life and it is well to remember he was giving Cardinal Hill 5lbs, which is a generous concession to a four-year-old at this time of the year.
To Your Honour ran a blinder as well and this was far and away his best effort over flights. A word of warning, however, you can never be completely certain about the value of any contest until some of the horses come out and compete again.
We have often heard it said in the past that they can't all be champions. It would be lovely, for instance, to see the likes of Samapour (fourth) and Glazeaway (fifth) doing the business next time.
Mind you, if this doesn't turn out to be form which is utterly reliable then it will be a major surprise.
Promale was very good in winning the Chiquita Drinmore 'Chase, but there remains the nagging feeling that the best novice in the country, Rince Ri, wasn't in the line-up.