SPORT IN BRIEF

Aussie rules change
MELBOURNE: A lacklustre nil-all draw between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Magpies has forced the Australian Football League to abandon the trial of its controversial new knock-on rule.

Irish pool haul
IRELAND: Records have continued to fall in the world cross-pool swimming championships at the University of Dublin aquatic centre.

Belated apology
BRISBANE: Maroons State of Origin player Ben Ikin has finally apologised for the one time in the second match of this year's series that his clearing kick at Stadium Australia didn't go straight down the throat of a Blues defender.
"It must have come off the side of my boot," a repentant Ikin told The Bug.

Shirting the issue
BELFAST: Organisers of this year's Irish Open men's singles tennis tournament have decided that all players will wear their names blazoned across the backs of their shirts to avoid any chance of confusion.