RUGBY

Bruff at home to Highfield is the pick of the fixtures in the opening round of the AIB Cup next weekend.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Thomond host Belfast Harlequins, the winners of which will have home advantage against Shannon; Nenagh Ormond travel to Ballinahinch; Young Munster are away to Instonians and Old Crescent entertain Nass at Rosbrien.

Holders Garryowen are seeded through to round two where they will face Lansdowne away.

Meanwhile, the quarter-final line-up in the ODM Munster Senior Cup is complete:  Shannon v Garryowen; Sunday’s Well v Old Crescent; Highfield v Dolphin and UL Bohemians v Cork Constitution.  The ties are to be arranged for the weekend ending October 20.

SAILING

Ger O’Rourke’s Chieftain has been named as offshore racing’s Yacht of the Year, with her skipper winning the RORC’s Somerset Trophy even before the European Season is finished.

PRIZEWINNERS

John Hewson of Ballysteen picked-up a car (or €14,000) in the Limerick GAA Development Monthly Draw at the Salesians Hostel, Milford.

Second-prize of €3,000 was won by Kathleen and Elaine Higgins of Hospital/Herbertstown, with €1,300 for Adare’s Tony O’Callaghan.  Special club prizes of €1,000 each were drawn in favour of Banogue, Glin and Kildimo.

Meanwhile, Thomas Fitzpatrick of Pallaskenry emerged as the lucky winner of a trip to next Sunday’s FA Premiership fixture between Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea, courtesy of the Limerick 37 Supporters’ Club.  The match tickets were presented to Limerick by Bolton and the draw was a major success, thanks largely to the role played by Anne Mullen.

ATHLETICS

Around 4,000 competitors are expected to participate in next Sunday’s 9th Annual Irish Examiner Limerick Women’s Mini-Marathon (4.5 mile).