Gary aims to peak at Okayama mountain

DONABATE racing driver Gary Thompson is hoping to make a ' big step forward' when the Japanese Formula 3 Championship resumes at Okayama next weekend following a four-week break. The 18-year-old scored the best result of his rookie season so far prior to the series' summer hiatus with a fine second-place National Class finish in race 2 at Motegi, but he and his Achievement by KCMG Racing team have not been resting on their laurels since then.

Manx maestro Micko sets pace on Mountain Course

PRACTICE for the 2010 Manx Grand Prix, sponsored by visitisleofman.com, got under way last week, and while the Sea Cat broke down – upsetting a good few of the riders' travel plans – most got to the ' Island' in time for Monday's practice. Skerries rider David Yeomans took the long way to get to the Island when he got his van and bikes taken over by Des Costello, while he travelled to West Cork for the Munster 100. There he rode his Wayne Boylan-sponsored 250 Honda in the Junior Support and got a loan of Damien Howard's 750 Suzuki for the Senior Support race.

Cup holders let two- goal lead slip

FAI Cup holders Sporting Fingal were taken to a replay for the second time in this year's competition when they threw away a two-goal lead at home to a Limerick side who finished with 10 men. Liam Buckley's men were pegged back by another First Division club, Mervue United, in the previous round before coming through at the second time of asking, and a return trip to Jackman Park last night ( Monday) was the last thing Sporting needed ahead of this Friday's visit of Bohemians in the league ( 7.45pm).

• Crowe swoops

Glebe get the blues after goal of month contender

GLEBE North knew their first game of the season last Friday night against Bluebell was going to be a tough one, and despite a close contest two goals mid-way through the second half gave the visitors all three points at Market Green. Bluebell were last season's runners-up, but Glebe put it up to their more illustrious opponents until they were undone by a wonder strike. With 58 minutes on the clock, a fine cross in from the left was volleyed back across the goal and into the far corner by the Bluebell number 9 for what must surely be considered the goal of the month.

Nail- biting win boosts County's title charge

NORTH County 1sts are closing in on the Division 1 title after defeating Clontarf by two runs in a nail-biting finish last Saturday. County batted first and made a total of 198 all out, with Eddie Richardson falling two runs short of a half-century and Jimmy Boyland adding 30. Boyland then starred with the ball, taking 5-41 as Clontarf were dismissed for 196 with two balls to spare.