MICHELLE de Bruin faces a possible life ban when she appears at a hearing in Lausanne today on charges of tampering with a urine sample.
The Irish triple Olympic gold medallist goes before a doping panel of FINA, swimming’s world governing body, to answer charges that she manipulated an out-of-competition drug test by adulterating her sample with alcohol.
De Bruins’s lawyer, Peter Lennon, will represent her at the hearing and confirmed that the swimmer, who has consistently denied taking drugs to boost her performances, would also be present.
“We’ll be defending whatever charges we have to,” Lennon said.
“At this stage we’re not entirely sure what will be required of us at the hearing. If required to, she will give evidence.
“Michelle is very much looking forward to getting this behind her. And hopefully this hearing will be the end of it.”
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DUNLOY are expected to ask for their ban from this year’s Ulster club hurling championship to be reconsidered.
The Antrim champions, favourites to retain the title again this season, are prohibited from playing in the Ulster series following the investigation into the near riot scenes which marred the club final last year.
Supporters invaded the pitch at the conclusion of the win over Derry champions Lavey.
Five players were dismissed during the nasty affair and supporters attempted to attack the match official as he made his way towards the changing rooms.
There were further skirmishes under the main stand at Casement Park.
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NORTHERN Ireland’s Eddie Polland will take pain-killing injections for a back injury before the first round of the £100,000 Credit Suisse Seniors Open at Bad Ragaz near Zurich today.
It is the latest in a catalogue of medical problems that have handicapped the former Ryder Cup player who is in his second season on the PGA European Seniors Tour. Last year Polland had an operation to relieve rheumatoid arthritis with in his left elbow and wrist.
He is also facing surgery in September to replace a damaged knee cap.
“But I just have to keep soldiering on,” said the Irishman, winner of four titles on the European Tour in the 70s.
Polland has yet to claim a seniors title.
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COLM McGuckian is far from happy; fed up with the “rubbish” others speak of Antrim hurling.
“We are a good team and we can beat Offaly. I can’t understand why every year we are written off. It annoys me,” he says.
McGuckian knows Antrim’s strength.
In this, his first All-Ireland senior hurling quarter-final, the Dunloy half-forward aims to provide the needful early score to settle Saffron nerves.
“We shocked Dublin in that sense. Then against Galway we fell behind early on and couldn’t find our way back into the game.
“So to be in front against Offaly will do us a world of good at the start of the game.”
On the playing front, Gary O’Kane remains a serious doubt for Sunday’s game.
The Dunloy centre half-back twisted his ankle in a challenge game earlier this week and did not train with the rest of the squad at Casement Park last night.
