Wednesday 19 June 2013
Fermanagh 0-11 Cavan 0-13: It will be a meeting of two old traditional powers of Cavan and Monaghan in the other Ulster semi-final, after the men from the Breffni county produced a disciplined performance to shut down the Fermanagh attack in Brewster Park.
Once Fermanagh picked themselves off the floor in Pairc Tailteann, Navan, they surveyed where they had come from in the space of a year.
When Donegal boss Jim McGuinness initially named his side for last month's Ulster Championship quarter-final against Tyrone, it was precisely the same line-up that blazed to All-Ireland glory at Mayo's expense last September.
At the ripe age of 30, Owen Lennon had waited a long time to finally lead Monaghan out as captain for an Ulster Championship game.
Fermanagh star Eoin Donnelly is in a race against time to declare full fitness ahead of their championship opener this Sunday against Cavan in Brewster Park.
A matter of weeks ago, the alluring prospect of a meeting with last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway was tantalising the taste buds of Antrim's hurlers.
Antrim 0-6 Monaghan 0-11: The form had been good, conditions were perfect, but in the end the decision to not to feature this game live by the major broadcasters was proved correct as Antrim's lack of ambition made for the first poor game of the Ulster Championship when they were cast aside by Monaghan.
The main concern for Antrim now, quite apart from picking their way through a performance that tied itself up in knots, is to prevent players leaving the panel before the qualifiers.
Kilkenny survived an Offaly goal rush to score a 0-26 to 4-9 Leinster SHC win at Tullamore.
Down manager Gerard Monan is urging his side to fly the flag for Ulster in style against Kerry in today's Christy Ring Hurling Cup final at Croke Park.
Chris Kerr could have been forgiven for thinking this day might never have come.
Derry have been dealt a savage blow ahead of embarking upon the qualifiers, with the news that Eoin Bradley could be out for the rest of the season.
Paddy Cunningham is hoping that Antrim can rekindle the spirit of '09 when they meet Monaghan in the Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final at Casement Park on Sunday.
When the Tyrone county board returned in excess of 1,000 terrace tickets for last month's Ulster Championship quarter-final against Donegal at MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey it lent further impetus – if indeed impetus were needed – to the ambitious plan to transform Casement Park into as state-of-the-art 38,000 all-seater stadium.
For the second week in succession, a teenage player is to be pitched into the midfield furnace of an Ulster Senior Football Championship tie.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon has suggested that the knives would have been out for Donegal manager Jim McGuinness had the All-Ireland champions stumbled to defeat against Tyrone last month.
Two Monaghan players will come to Casement Park to face Antrim on Sunday armed with a double helping of honours already this season.
Back in late January, Down veteran Benny Coulter looked ahead to another year mixing it with the high-rollers in another Division One campaign, and took a very different view of league football.
It's probably not too much of a leap to say it, but since James McCartan took over as Down manager, he has had to contend with not only a decimated panel, but also with changing the footballing culture of an entire county.
A stunning first-half performance by Derry's Eoin Bradley against Down on Sunday had all but assured this dynamic forward of the man of the match award.
Gerry forces Sammy into Mexican wave
Pubs, clubs and parties
Jose Mourinho has admitted his first match back at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager will be an emotional occasion - even though visitors Hull City have vowed to spoil his return party.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has insisted he is going nowhere after the resignation of managing director Derek Llambias plunged the club into fresh chaos.
Rob Kearney is ready to help the British and Irish Lions prepare for "the big picture" of Saturday's first Test against Australia.
Duntle won at Royal Ascot for the second successive year when coming out on top in a tight finish to the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.
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