Scrabo's Andrew McCormick put a poor start behind him to grab the early lead in the East of Ireland Championship at Co Louth.

The Ulsterman, who has yet to lift a major amateur title, carded a one under par 71 to lead by a stroke in the clubhouse from Elm Park's Niall O'Connor. A former international, McCormick started on the back nine and bogeyed his "rst two holes before hitting back straight away with birdies at the 12th and 13th.

Level par to the turn after cancelling out a bogey at the short 15th with a birdie at the 18th, McCormick had a roller-coaster back nine of one under par 35. After a bogey at the first, he eagled the par five third and sixth but bogeyed the short fifth and seventh holes en route to the only sub par round amongst the morning starters.

DIFFICULT DAY FOR HIGGINS AND HOEY

David Higgins and Michael Hoey endured a day of frustration and all-round disappointment at the Oceanico Developments Pro-Am Challenge yesterday. Despite perfect conditions at the Marriot Worsley Park Hotel and Country Club in Manchester, neither of the Irish duo could take full advantage, with Higgins carding a level par 70 to remain on five under and Hoey posting a two over 72 to fall back to level par.

Englishman Stuart Davis leads the way on 15 under par 195, three clear of his countryman Ross McGowan.

DREDGE AIMING TO KEEP WELSH TITLE LOCAL

Bradley Dredge's quest to become the first home winner of the Wales Open sees him go into the final round tied for the lead at Celtic Manor today.

"I really want to win this, " said Dredge after a six-birdie, four under par 65 took him to 10 under alongside little-known German Martin Kaymer. Only two weeks ago he saw what winning the Irish Open meant to Padraig Harrington, losing to the Dubliner in a play-off at Adare Manor.

"I think what Padraig said hits it right on the nail, " commented Dredge when reminded that Harrington put local victory next to the majors in terms of personal satisfaction.

"You always want to win your national title and I'm going to try to keep the trophy in Wales for a change. It's nice to have the support . . . a bit of a contrast to Ireland . . . and I'm really looking forward to it."

FLYING DUTCHMAN ENJOYING LIFE AT CELTIC

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has revealed he wants to spend the rest of his playing days at Celtic.

"Of course you don't know what will happen, but if my family continue to be happy then I would like to end my career at Celtic, " the striker said yesterday.

Vennegoor of Hesselink hit 18 goals in 30 appearances for Celtic in a season disrupted by injury and, with seven senior strikers now at the club, the battle for places promises to be intense next term. However, having established himself as manager Gordon Strachan's first-choice frontman, the former PSV Eindhoven player is determined to stay in Scotland.

He added: "I've had four years at FC Twente, five years at PSV Eindhoven, and a few more seasons at Celtic would give me an excellent record."

STREET-BASED GRAND PRIX FOR VALENCIA

A Formula One Grand Prix on the streets of Valencia has been confirmed for 2008 and for the next seven seasons. F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone yesterday rubberstamped the deal with the region's authorities.

With the Spanish Grand Prix already staged at Barcelona, the new race will be called the European GP and capitalises on the country's booming love affair with the sport on the back of the success of double world champion Fernando Alonso.

The race will be run around the city's harbourside streets on and will join Monaco and another new venue, Singapore, as the only dedicated street venues on the F1 calendar.

SVEIN MAINTAINS LEAD IN DONEGAL

Norwegian Wold Svein representing Polar SK Norway retains his overall lead in Ras Dhun na nGall after yesterday's time trial in Killybegs, although his 17-second advantage has been cut to just six. His closest challenger in the listings is Martin O'Loughlin from the Dan Morrissey/Carrick Wheelers RC.

The former Irish national team director is sandwiched between Sevin and a former junior Irish champion Linus Murphy.

CORK'S COUGHLAN MAKES THE CUT AGAIN

Former Curtis Cup player Claire Coughlan looks set to boost her wedding fund today in the 200,000 Northern Ireland Ladies' Open at The Hilton Templepatrick.

The Cork girl fired a one-over-par 73 in yesterday's second round. This is Coughlan's "fth tour event since turning professional last year and her second time to reach the last day's play.

After 10 holes today it didn't look as if she would make the cut. "When I stood on the second tee . . . that was my 11th hole . . . six over for the tournament I though I'd be heading home tonight but I told myself to just keep playing my best golf and, thankfully, it came right in the end, " she explained.

BYRNE CONTINUES FINE FORM IN AUSTRIA

Irish Para Equestrian rider Eilish Byrne followed up her victory on Friday at the four-star dressage show in Kreuttal, Austria with a second place yesterday.

Dundalk-born Eilish was competing with 'Youri' in the Grade II Freestyle to Music, which was won by Holland's Petra von de Sande.

McKEAN ON TARGET BUT SCOTS GRAB A DRAW Ireland and Scotland shared the spoils at Belfield yesterday, drawing 1-1 in the second of the teams' three meetings this weekend. Cathy McKean gave Ireland the lead, but Samantha Judge equalised for the Scots. The meey again today at Bel"eld at 2pm.

DUDDY TO CONTEST 'A' FINAL IN AUSTRIA

Just one of Ireland's four rowing crews contesting the semi-finals at the opening World Cup regatta in Austria will contest an A final today; newcomer Orla Duddy in the lightweight single sculls.

Ireland's other two lightweight crews, the women's double and men's four, both finished sixth in their respective semi-finals. The men's heavyweight four were unlucky, narrowly losing out on a place in the A final by finishing fourth in their semi-final.