David Matthews was yesterday handed two more opportunities to build on his fine start to the season when the Irish selectors named teams for representative fixtures next month. Together with James McIlroy, the UCD athlete has been nominated for the 800 metres in the Grand Prix meeting at Budapest on July 3rd. Then a week later, he will be in action over the same distance at Riga as part of a 12-strong Irish squad.

At a time when he is experiencing some difficulty in gaining entry to Grand Prix events, he will welcome the chance of achieving a qualifying standard for the World Championships at Seville in August.

McIlroy has yet to make the same impact on international competition this season as he did last summer and he will be keen to put in some good performances ahead of the Seville championships.

Paul Brizzell and Paul McBurney, two of the Northern athletes who have broadened the selectors' options this season, have been chosen for both meetings, but Gary Ryan will confine himself to the 200 metres event in Budapest.

The depth in women's sprinting is reflected in some interesting choices. Emily Maher, Ciara Sheehy and Karen Shinkins will compete in Hungary while Lena Barry and Malissa Smith are headed for the Latvin assignment. Susan Smith Walsh is also included in the Budapest squad which includes another winner at the Cork City Sports, Waterford's Elaine Fitzgerald.

The opening rounds of the Mazda National League competitions are set for three venues, Kilkenny, Limerick and Antrim next Sunday. Crusaders, winners of the men's title for the last two years, will be in action at Kilkenny where the opposition will include teams from DMP, West Waterford, Donore and UCD.