Ward takes in downhill event

CYCLING: A strong turnout, including riders from Britain, is expected at the Irish downhill championships at Rostrevor Forest Park, Co Down, this weekend. The event is sponsored by Red Bull and Chain Reaction Cycles and promoted by Plush.

Due to compete is Ireland's first European MTB champion, Joe Ward. He took gold in the over-35 masters category in Vale Di Sol earlier this month.

Meanwhile, a strong turnout contested the Irish cross country championships in Kilruddery Estate last weekend. Robin Seymour extended his winning sequence to 13, while Tarja Owens was impressive in taking her 12th title.

David McCann took one of his biggest results when he won Wednesday's stage of the 2.HC ranked Tour of Qinghai Lake in China. He and team-mate Stephen Gallagher finished in the main bunch yesterday. McCann starts today's third-last stage in 12th overall.

Also racing abroad this weekend is Irish road race champion Siobhán Dervan, in the Tour du Limousin. In Athens, Michael Murray and Miceal Concannon will ride the under-23 European track championships while Ireland will be represented in the junior by Isaac Spears, Diarmuid Cronin, Jeremiah O'Sullivan and William Connolly.

At home, this weekend sees the running of the first Murphy and Gunn International track meet at the Eamonn Ceant stadium, Sundrive Road. A total of 17 races will be run tomorrow, with 15 of these counting towards the overall Omnium competition. More information is available from Will Byrne at 086 8047839.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Paul O'Donoghue (Sorrento) will attempt to break Joe Barr's Irish record of 19 hours three minutes for the 380-mile Mizen Head to Fair Head distance.

Finally, entries are due in for the three-day Kerry Youth Tour, which will take place next weekend. Contact Miceal Concannon on 064 44396 for more details and to enter.

Fixtures: Friday: Portaferry 3-day; stage 1, Kirkistown motor racing circuit pm. Saturday: Murphy and Gunn International track GP, Sundrive Road, 12.30; Irish MTB Downhill championships, Rostrevor Forest. Practice and seeing runs Saturday, race starts Sunday noon. Sunday: Irish junior and veterans' road race championships (Tommy Brady Memorial), Robinstown; youth racing 11am, other races 1pm. Brian McNamara Memorial race, Tuam, 2.30. Monday: Mark Mullen Memorial league, Donore, 7.30 am.