Huge entry for Sligo

Double major winner Jordan Spieth(right) believes defending champion Rory McIlroy's potential absence from the British Open through injury would "dampen" the occasion.

McIlroy's title defence and keenly anticipated contest against Spieth was thrown into doubt on Monday when the Northern Irishman revealed he had ruptured an ankle ligament while playing soccer with friends.

While many observers believe McIlroy is certain to miss the third major of the season, the American winner of this year's U.S. Masters and U.S. Open is keen to see the world number one recover in time to play at St Andrews next week.

"It kind of dampens it. You want the defending champion, much less the best player in the world at the event," Spieth said.

motorsport

The Triton Showers National Rally Championship has a bumper entry of over 150 for the sixth round, this weekend's Sligo Park Hotel and McCormack Car Sales Sligo Stages Rally.

Heading the field will be 2013 and 2014 National Champion, Declan Boyle. Boyle will be bringing his brand new Ford Fiesta World Car to Sligo and the Donegal driver, who has had a string of poor results this season, has nothing to lose this weekend.

Seeded behind Boyle are Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan. Ford Focus mounted Kelly has been faultless in his title campaign so far, either winning or taking maximum points from the opening five rounds of the championship.

cricket

Ireland's World Twenty20 qualifier warm-up match against Oman was abandoned with no result yesterday due to persistent rain at Stormont.

Oman were bowled out for 91 in 18.5 overs with Alex Cusack and George Dockrell leading the Irish attack with three wickets apiece.

But the weather put paid to any prospect of an Irish response and further play was finally ruled out at shortly after 4pm.

golf