GOLF: Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell are determined to land the biggest titles of their careers as Ireland look to defend a slender one-shot lead in the final round of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China.

World No 10 McIlroy and McDowell, ranked 51st, combined to card an eight-under-par 64 in yesterday's third round fourballs to charge to an impressive 26-under overall and remain on course for a famous victory.

But heading into today's final round alternate-shot foursomes, the duo hold their smallest overnight advantage of the week after Italy and defending champions Sweden closed the gap to leave the title seemingly remaining in Eur-ope with Japan and South Af-rica a further five shots back.

Decent start for Moriarty

Colm Moriarty made an impressive start to his challenge for promotion to the European Tour in the opening round of the qualifying school final at PGA Golf de Catalunya, in Spain yesterday.

The Glasson touring pro -- a past winner on the second-tier Challenge Tour -- carded a five-under 65 on the Tour course to share seventh behind French pacesetter Julien Guerrier, who conjured a 10-under 60 to record the lowest score in the 33-year history of the six-round qualification school.

Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell -- who came through the tour school last year but is back in the scramble after a tough rookie season -- and former Irish PGA No 1 Simon Thornton both opened with three-under 67s.

Davydenko makes final

TENNIS: Nikolay Davydenko reached his second successive final last night at the ATP World Tour finals with a stunning 6-2 4-6 7-5 victory over Roger Federer at London's O2 Arena.

Federer, who won the title four times in five attempts between 2003 and 2007, had never lost to Davydenko in 12 previous meetings.

And the Russian's task was made even harder by the scheduling, which saw him take to the court less than 16 hours after beating Robin Soderling in his final round-robin match on Friday.

Davydenko broke Federer twice to take the first set before the Swiss inevitably came back in the second to take it 6-4. However Davydenko held firm in the third and ran out a 7-5 winner to seal his first ever victory over the world's top player.

Ponting's men sink tourists

CRICKET: Australia recorded a comprehensive innings-and-65-run win over West Indies late on day three of the opening Test at the Gabba, but the visitors unearthed a star of the future with opener Adrian Barath notching a record-breaking century on his debut.

Barath, 19, overtook George Headley as the youngest West Indian to score a Test ton, and was also the youngest man to plunder a century against Australia since Indian prodigy Sachin Tendulkar did it almost 18 years ago.

But he received little support, with the Windies crashing to 187 all-out in their second innings, handing Australia an early win after captain Ricky Ponting enforced the follow-on after lunch.

Strong return for big guns

HOCKEY: Leinster high-flyers Pembroke Wanderers and Glenanne -- both on leave from domestic action recently due to their international players on duty in the World Cup qualifiers -- were back in the groove yesterday carving out big wins over Clontarf and UCD respectively.

It seems only a matter of time before the pair catch up and ascend to their customary top berths in the Division One table. In the meantime Corinthian and Three Rock Rovers -- albeit with more matches played -- are leading the way. Corinthian hung onto top spot with a 3-2 away win over struggling Fingal while Three Rock saw off Railway Union 3-0 and Monkstown edged out YMCA 3-2. The women's action foc-ussed on the ESB Irish Senior Cup quarter-final ties resulting in wins for UCD, Railway Union, Loreto, and last year's beaten finalist Pegasus.

Neptune ease past Hoops

BASKETBALL: Last night's dress rehersal for the cup quarter-final to be played in a fortnight's time saw Neptune record an 84-76 victory over Hoops at the Carroll Arena.

With 1.37 left in the game, Hoops had narrowed the gap to five points following consecutive baskets from Jason Goldrick and a three-pointer from Joey Haastrup.

However, Neptune ran down the clock with a series of free throws to close the gap on rivals UCC Demons in second place.

In the Women's Superleague, Killester's hopes of upstaging UL just came up short on a 67-70 scoreline.

Eight see red in Wicklow tie

GAELIC GAMES: Eight players were sent-off in a senior football league final in Wicklow on Friday at Roundwood.

The game between Carnew and Newtown turned sour inside the last 10 minutes after the match had been played in a good sporting spirit up to that point.

This was the final of the Dunne Cup, played between the top four teams in the senior division league one, and was won by Newtown 1-8 to 0-6.

County star Dean Odlum sneaked his way through the Carnew defence on the right flank to drill home Newtown's crucial goal as the first of two rows flared on the other side of the field. Five of the eight players red-carded by Tinahely referee Kieran Kenny were from the Newtown team, the other three were Carnew men.

Sunday Independent