HOCKEY: Riet Kuper is to remain in her post as senior Irish coach until September's European Nations Cup in Barcelona, at which point her position will be reviewed, following discussions with the Irish Hockey Association (IHA), writes Mary Hannigan.
She has, however, lost the services of three of her most experienced players, Arlene Boyles, Karen Humphreys and Tara Browne, all of whom have announced their retirement from international hockey.
Five more senior players - captain Rachael Kohler, Jenny Burke, Daphne Sixsmith, Claire McMahon and Laura Lee - have yet to decide on their international futures but Kuper is hopeful that "most of them" will be available for Barcelona, if not for March 2004's Olympic Qualifier in New Zealand.
"I had been in a little bit of doubt after the World Cup," said Kuper of her own position. "I knew I had to get the backing of the players and that I needed the core of the team to continue. Of course I hoped that the three would stay on but I can live with this - if we had a complete turnover of players then it would have been too difficult."
GOLF: Sergio Garcia snapped back at a questioner in Perth, Australia, yesterday when asked if he was frustrated he had not yet won one of golf's major tournaments.
"I am 23 - what's wrong with you?" he said at a media conference ahead of the $1.65 million Johnnie Walker Classic starting at Lake Karrinyup, near Perth, tomorrow.
"Imagine how many years I have. I have plenty of years. I have 80 majors - maybe 85 majors to come. I have plenty of chances. It's not like I am 45 years old."
Garcia won three times worldwide during a hectic 2002 season. He was sixth on the European Tour's Order of Merit and 12th on the US PGA Tour's money list.
Garcia, third in the Johnnie Walker Classic here last year, behind South Africa's Retief Goosen and Swede Pierre Fulke, said he liked playing in Australia.
"I feel comfortable here and I am looking forward to hopefully make a victory soon," he said.
SAILING: Last year's winner of the Round Ireland Race emerged as overall winner of the annual Cork Dry Gin Sailor of the Year award yesterday at a reception in Dublin, writes David Branigan. Eric Lisson and the crew of Cavatina of the Royal Cork Yacht Club beatOlympic candidates to receive the award.
The monthly winners of the scheme, organised by Afloat magazine, received trophies from the Minister for Sport, Mr O'Donoghue. Five winners were absent due to international racing commitments. Lisson also received another award this week when his own club, the RCYC made him Keelboat Sailor of the Year.
"I never expected this; I might have thought that perhaps Maurice O'Connell (June) or Conor Walsh (September) would have got it but now I'm speechless," Lisson told The Irish Times.
