SPORTS DIGEST: CYCLING:Lance Armstrong can make his comeback in January's Tour Down Under despite a breach of the rules, the International Cycling Union (UCI) have said.
The seven-time Tour de France winner, who retired in 2005, said last month he would return to the sport with the Astana team.
However, the UCI's Article 77 states a retired rider may only return to competition by informing the UCI six months in advance, in order to be available for out-of-competition dope testing.
Despite the January 20th-25th race coming four months after the 37-year-old American's decision to return, the UCI have dropped the requirement.
The governing body's decision to let Armstrong race contrasts with comments made by UCI president Pat McQuaid at last month's world championships in Varese, Italy.
"The UCI will follow the rules. If the rules state he has to be in the anti-doping programme for six months, that's the rule we will follow," he told a news conference.
Duddy camp line up big bouts
BOXING: John Duddy hasn't fought in anger since his persuasive win over Charlie Howe in Boston in June, but the Derry boxer figures to be a busy man over the next few months, writes George Kimball.
Duddy's headline bout atop a Gotham Boxing card at New York's Roseland Ballroom on November 21st is envisioned as a tune-up for his long-anticipated collision with Ronald Hearns at Madison Square Garden on January 17th.
The Hearns (22-0) fight, which would match a pair of high-profile boxers with undefeated records before a nationwide television audience, will likely provide Duddy (25-0) with his largest career purse.
Duddy's November 21st Roseland opponent has yet to be confirmed, but Irish Ropes matchmaker Jim Borzell is known to be leaning toward veteran Sam Hill, the 38-year-old "Punching Policeman" from St Louis, who was stopped in 10 by another unbeaten middleweight, New Yorker Peter Quillin, in New Hampshire last month.
Cronin can't stop Coláiste Eoin
COLLEGES HURLING: A hat-trick from Niall Cronin was not to deny Coláiste Eoin, who beat St Mac Dara's by 1-22 to 3-8 in yesterday's Dublin Schools' Senior Hurling A semi-final at O'Toole Park.
St MacDara's went into this game without the midfield pairing of Conor McMahon and Fergal Heavey, but having won last season's junior title with a dramatic victory over St Declan's, they didn't lack confidence.
But they managed just two points off placed ball in the first quarter during which time Coláiste Eoin had sent over seven scores with free-taker Sean McGraith in prolific form. And although Cronin fired in two goals after the break, MacDara's never got close enough to troubling their opponents with Marc Schutte in fine form at centre.
SCORERS: St MacDara's: E McKenna (0-1, 65), G McManus (0-1), N Cronin (3-0), D Gibbons (0-6, all frees).
Colaiste Eoin: D Sutcliffe (0-1), S McGraith (0-11, 9f), M Schutte (0-4), A O Murchu (0-2), E O Croinin (1-3), C O Gairbhith (0-1).
A stroll for St Declan's
COLLEGES HURLING: St Declan's strolled to a 2-17 to 0-6 victory in the second Dublin Schools' Senior Hurling A semi-final at O'Toole Park yesterday.
St Declan's had led 0-7 to 0-4 at the break, but after Seán Donnelly had posted their opening score of the second half, Seán McGuinness, having cut in from the deadball line, then shot into the goalkeeper's far corner.
And with Cian Harrison offering St Declan's a fresh pair of legs in the second half, the team managed by Brian Avery and Ballyboden St Enda's mentor Vinnie Teehan, were never troubled after that.
McGuinness fired in his second goal soon after.
St Declan's will face Coláiste Eoin in the final.
SCORERS: COLAISTE EANNA: C Moffat (0-1, 0-1f), J Kehoe (0-3, 0-1f, 0-1 65),F McDonagh (0-1), N Ryan (0-1).
ST DECLAN'S CBS: S McGuinness (2-1), S Bonfil (0-2, 0-1 65', 0-1f), G Dodril (0-3), A Kelly (0-1), C Walsh (0-2), E McMahon (0-2), S Commins (0-2), S Donnelly (0-2) C Harrison (0-2).
Warne hints at comeback
CRICKET: Shane Warne would consider coming out of retirement if he were asked by the Australia team.
The news comes with Australia's slow bowling stocks at their lowest point for some time.
The world champions have seen Warne, arguably the game's greatest bowler, and fellow wrist spinners Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg retire in the past 18 months.
"If the call comes I will consider it," Warne said.
