Craobh Chiarain survived a late rally to lift the Dublin Senior Hurling championship after beating Ballyboden St Enda's by 2-10 to 2-8 at Parnell Park yesterday.

Chiarain, who boasted a strong local support, got off to a dream start when Stephen McDonell rattled the back of the net after nine minutes. Enda's had to be content with three early frees from Dublin sharpshooter David Curtin before Emmet Carroll "nally sent over their "rst point from play on 15 minutes.

But Alan McCrabbe and Derek O' Reilly responded in kind with a succession of scores from mid"eld to leave Chiarain up by 1-6 to 0-5 at half time.

Ballyboden converted Conal Keaney to mid"eld in the second half and reduced the arrears to three points through Curtin shortly after the restart. McCrabbe, however, restored Chiarain's four-point cushion before the game took a dramatic twice with 12 minutes remaining. A goal and a point from Dave Sweeney levelled proceedings then Gary Maguire put Enda's ahead for the "rst time on 52 minutes.

But McCrabbe netted for Chiarain immediately afterwards and they pulled away in the "nal "ve minutes.

LONDON IRISH TAKE DOWN SARACENS

Andy Farrell's full debut for Saracens ended in defeat as London Irish began their EDF Energy Cup campaign with a 3624 bonus-point home victory.

Scrum-half Richie Rees, fullback Michael Horak and number eight Juan Manuel Leguizamon all scored tries as the Exiles led 19-12 at half-time. Glen Jackson kicked four penalties for Saracens but Rees' second try extended the lead on the resumption.

Rikki Flutey grabbed another before a Kameli Ratuvou try lifted Saracens.

They also claimed a penalty try to close the gap to nine points but Barry Everitt, who had already landed four conversions, kicked a penalty to see the Exiles home.

CONNACHT ENJOY DOUBLE OVER LEINSTER

The Leinster Youths rugby side were defeated 7-5 by Connacht in Barnhall yesterday.

The scores were tied 0-0 at halftime before Naas winger Gavin Dooley touched down in the 41st minute. However, Connacht replied with 15 minutes to go with a try from John O'Brien, which was converted by Sean Joyce.

Meanwhile, Leinster 'A' Schools lost 15-5 to Connacht in Coolmine.

Full-back Stephen O'Leary capped off a "ne performance with a well worked try on the stroke of half-time to leave the hosts trailing 6-5 at the interval. But "ve penalties from the boot of Robert O'Beirn was enough for the Westerners to claim victory.

O'LOUGHLIN SETS NEW IRISH RECORD

David O'Loughlin from Cong set a new Irish record in the indoor Velodrome in Newport, Wales yesterday. O'Loughlin broke the one kilometre Irish track record with a time of four minutes and 29 seconds.The previous record was set by Phil Collins at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.

INDIA DENIES SECURITY CONCERNS OVER HAIR

Indian cricket's governing body has denied it expressed any security concerns over umpire Darrell Hair of"ciating in the ICC Champions Trophy.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India made the claim the day after the world governing body, the International Cricket Council, had said the Australian would not of"ciate at the tournament in India because of security issues.

BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah:

"We have never said that there were security concerns if Hair of"ciated in the tournament."

MAKELELE PLANS FRANCE RETIREMENT

Claude Makelele intends to retire from international duty at the end of France's qualifying campaign for Euro 2008. The Chelsea midfielder announced after the World Cup that he would be hanging up his international boots. But he continues to be selected by national coach Raymond Domenech, who has warned Makelele he could face a domestic ban if he ignored an international call-up.

That prompted a war of words between Domenech and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who claimed the player was being treated like a "slave".

Makelele agreed to continue playing for his country but now insists he will not be part of the France squad if they make it to the finals in two years.

QUIGLEY TAKES SECOND PLACE IN ATHENS

Wexford's Dave Quigley took second place in yesterday's showjumping 1m35 class at Athens, Greece, while on Friday he and three other Irish riders accounted for no less than six of the top ten places in the Grand Prix Quali"er.

Quigley rode CS Online into second place behind Greek winner Yiotis Perintzalis, and yesterday slotted the same horse into ninth place in the "rst of the Grand Prix Quali"ers at the two star Greek show.