A round-up of today's other stories in brief...

BOXING:Welterweight prospect Shane McGuigan will be hoping to complete a family double at the Ulster senior championships tonight, 30 years after his father, former world featherweight champion Barry, claimed an Ulster title at the same venue.

McGuigan junior will meet Cathal McCauley from the Dungloe club in the 69kg final at the Dockworkers club in Belfast.

The 18-year-old, who won an English senior novice title boxing out of the Aylesham's BC in Canterbury last summer but is also a member of the Clones boxing club, has recorded 15 wins from 16 so far in England and Ireland.

According to his father, who will be in his son's corner this evening, Shane will box in the Irish senior championships in Dublin next year.

"Shane has won two fights so far in these championships and his confidence is high and he is also enjoying himself, which is very important," said Barry.

Carroll new athletes' man in the US

ATHLETICS:Athletics Ireland have announced Mark Carroll as their new US athlete manager, to assist Irish athletes on scholarship or are training in the US, reports Ian O'Riordan .

Carroll has been based in Providence, Rhode Island, since his days as a scholarship athlete there as far back as 1991, and is already coaching three of Ireland's top athletes, Gareth Turnbull, Mark Christie and Liam Reale.

Carroll still holds national outdoor records at 3,000 and 5,000 metres, and at 36, is still aiming to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in the 10,000 metres.

"This position is a great move for Irish athletes in the US," said Carroll.

"I have been over there a long time now and am very familiar with how it all works.

"I will also be keeping an eye on their progress and form to make sure they are doing the right things to help themselves improve."

Local schemes now in place

SPORTS PARTNERSHIPS:The Irish Sports Council yesterday announced the completion of the Local Sports Partnerships scheme, with 33 such partnerships now providing national coverage for sports participation programmes and services, reports Ian O'Riordan.

The SPEAK Report, the first evaluation of the partnerships, was also launched at the event in Dublin, and highlighted the positive contribution of the 22 sports partnerships already in operation.

The scheme will invest €5.675 million in the network in 2008. The other main sources of investment in the partnerships are local authorities, VECs, POBAL (from the Dormant Accounts Fund), the National Action Plan Against Racism and the Health Service Executive.

POBAL funds the employment of 20 sport inclusion development officers at sports partnerships around the country. They will focus on increasing participation of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity and promote inclusion in mainstream activities.

Doherty falls at first hurdle and drops out of top 16

SNOOKER:Ken Doherty became the third former world champion to be knocked out of this year's tournament in the first round after losing 10-5 to China's Liang Wenbo last night.

Liang knocked in six half centuries to take a 7-2 lead in the first session before Doherty lost the first frame of the evening session. The Dubliner took the next two of the next three to keep his faint hopes alive but still trailed 9-4.

A nervy final frame saw both players miss chances before Liang sealed it.

Doherty follows world champions Steve Davis and Graeme Dott, who lost to Stuart Bingham and Joe Perry respectively, by losing in the opening round in Sheffield.

The 38-year-will now drop out of the top 16 in the world rankings for the first time in 15 years.

"It's hard to describe, it's very disappointing," said Doherty.

Earlier, Shaun Murphy booked a Crucible last-16 tie against Ali Carter following a comfortable 10-3 win over Dave Harold.

Dignam pays tribute to Fitzsimons

CYCLING:Rás race director Dermot Dignam yesterday paid tribute to FBD Insurance CEO Philip Fitzsimons, who passed away suddenly at the weekend and will be laid to rest today, reports Shane Stokes.

"Philip was a great friend of the Rás, and of Irish cycling in general," said Dignam. "He put a great deal into the sport and was very passionate about the race. On a personal level, he was also a very generous and kind individual, and will be missed greatly by all who knew him. His passing is a big shock."

FBD Insurance has been a sponsor of the Rás for 25 years, one of the longest such backings in Irish sport. Fitzsimons regularly attended the race and impressed many with his manner and affable nature.

He will be buried in Shanganagh cemetery today following noon mass in the Church of St Laurence O'Toole, Kilmacud.

Federer pushed by qualifier

TENNIS:Roger Federer was two points from going out of the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday before beating Spanish qualifier Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 to reach round three.

The world number one, who failed to retain his Australian Open crown earlier this year, was 5-4 and 30-15 down in the third set before his opponent, ranked 137th by the ATP, crumbled under the pressure.

Federer won the tiebreak 7-1.