Following the resignation of Pierce Butler from the 10-man FIC board another vacancy has to be filled at the meeting in the Dublin headquarters tomorrow as Brendan Donoghue has also resigned.

Butler, from Oranmore, headed the committee with responsibility for underage racing but cannot devote sufficient time to the important role. Richie Beatty, chairman of the Leinster Council, is the likely replacement.

One of the first tasks for the underage committee is the organisation of the festival of racing in Dublin for under-12, 14 and 16 on a closed course at Dame Street on Sunday, March 15th from 11.30 to 12.30. Representatives from the provincial councils will take part in the Leinster trials on Saturday, March 7th on the circuit behind Dublin Airport.

At the annual general meeting of the FIC in November, Donoghue was challenged for the position as head of the coaching committee by Paddy Doran. They both received 40 votes so Donoghue was not displaced, but now Doran is the obvious choice to take over.

Micheal Fitzgerald has decided to go with the Irish team to Malaysia so he will not be joining the Festina nursery squad at Pontivy in Brittany in time for their first race on March 1st.

The Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia is from February 18th to March 1st and Fitzgerald has informed the French team that because of the international assignment he will not be available until March 5th or 6th. Fitzgerald hopes he can boost his reputation with a stage win or some good placings in Malaysia and he expects the competition will be beneficial and prepare him well for the Festina programme.

The acting national team director, Frankie Campbell, had to make a change to the selection for Malaysia. Padraig Quinn withdrew and Ciaran Power accepted the invitation to go with Fitzgerald, Morgan Fox, Andy Roche, Raymond Clarke and Leslie McKay.

Ian Chivers and Tommy Evans were listed as reserves but they declined the trip and Power seized the opportunity.