Connaught to face Madrid, Worcester Warriors and Montpellier in European Challenge Cup

Connacht will face Spanish invitation team Olympus Rugby XV Madrid, Worcester Warriors and Montpellier in Pool 2 of the 2009/10 European Challenge Cup.

London Wasps - former winners of both the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup - will face Rugby Calvisano, Bayonne and tournament newcomers Racing-Metro 92 in the Pool stages.

The tournament starts on the weekend of October 8-11.

New appointment at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium

Declan Dowling (left) with Kerry legend Sean Walsh.

The Irish Greyhound Board has appointed Declan Dowling to the position of Sales and Operations Manager at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee.

Dowling, who lives in Kilmoyley, will take up his new role from 1st July. He comes from three generations of Kerry greyhound racing, and he and his family have been involved in the sport at many different levels.

Following a successful career in farm management he began training greyhounds on a full time basis in 2002 and has also served in recent years as Chairman of the Kerry Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association and as Treasurer of the Irish Greyhound Breeders Federation.

Carlow arts complex requires extra funds

An additional €400,000 is required to complete works on an €8.5m Carlow Visual Arts centre, the town and county councils have been told.

Town Clerk Joe Watters described the development as the "dawning of a new future" in the town. He told local authority representatives a further €400,000, from both county and town councils, will be needed to clear off final costs.