AFTER all the bright hopes, these are worrying days indeed for Northern Ireland.

With tension mounting in the run-up to next Sunday's Orange March at Drumcree, the province is in turmoil following David Trimble's resignation as First Minister.

The ultimate success of the peace process is dependent on many issues being resolved - and the decommissioning of arms by the IRA is central.

Two deadlines for the weapons to be put out of use have come and gone, and the agreement on which the route to peace is based is in danger of collapse.

As Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said yesterday: "You cannot have a one-sided agreement. Both sides have to carry it."

Mr Trimble's resignation is undoubtedly a gamble. He hopes, as all decent people hope, that it will lead to the kind of tangible progress that will enable him to return to his post.

But it appears a faint hope. The IRA will not want to be seen to be reacting to Unionist pressure and the result may well be deeper entrenchment.

It is impossible to predict what the future holds but the peace process has come too far to be lost now.

Efforts to find a way forward must be tireless on all sides - but while the IRA retains the use of his weapons, there can be no workable agreement.

AFTER the British Lions magnificent thrashing of the Aussies, these might easily be destined to be historic times for British sport.

It is a widely held view that Britain has never had a better chance of having a men's Wimbledon champion since Fred Perry 65 years ago.

The favoured choice, of course, is "true Brit" Tim Henman. If Greg Rusdeski wins, we'll cling on to his British credentials, but if he doesn't we'll console ourselves in the knowledge that he's Canadian really.

In truth, either one of them will do, and both are playing well enough to go all the way.

With reigning multiple champion Pete Sampras looking vulnerable for the first time, we can be forgiven for getting over-excited.

And once we have a Wimbledon champion in the bag, we can concentrate on winning the Ashes.