Down boosted their promotion hopes with a convincing eight-point win over Offaly in Tullamore.

Tipperary boss David Power is hoping his side’s 800km round trip to Derry this weekend will be a positive team builder and end with their fifth point from three NFL games.

Paddy Tally didn't want to mention the elephant in the room but after winning a game that could have massive consequences for Down's summer, he could let his guard down.

Holders Tyrone reached yet another Dr McKenna Cup final with a nine points win over Down at the Athletic Grounds.

The latest news on events happening in the art and antiques world.

Christy Ring Cup favourites Meath had to overcome a stiff challenge from Derry before securing their place in the competition final on Saturday week, where they’ll face a Down side that had nine points to spare against Roscommon in the other semi-final.

Kieran McGeeney savoured his first Ulster Championship victory in five seasons as Armagh manager as a manic quarter-final tie was settled in dramatic fashion in extra-time.

Michael Quinlivan says back-to-back promotions for Tipperary might have been “a step too soon” and is glad they’re staying in Division Two for another season.

Meath boss Andy McEntee expressed a mixture of delight and relief after his team boosted their prospects of avoiding the drop to division three following this polished display against fellow strugglers Down at Pairc Tailteann yesterday.

Carol O’Callaghan previews some up-coming craft fairs to keep us shopping for the next few weeks.

Regardless of the significant changes to next year's championships, last night’s 2018 football draw and release of the provincial hurling schedule was hardly heart-stopping stuff.

Tyrone 2-17; Down 0-15: Tyrone demolished Down’s challenge with a second half power-play to retain their Ulster SFC title at Clones, writes Francis Mooney.

Kieran McGeary’s feet have barely touched the ground in the past two seasons.

Down have emerged from the depths of despair to challenge once again for Ulster football glory.

Down scored a first Championship win over Armagh in 25 years, but they won’t be making any bold forecasts of a major breakthrough following this unconvincing success against a misfiring opponent.

Footballer, teacher, trailblazer - we remember All-Ireland winning captain Joe Lennon

Longford have upset the form guide with a Qualifier win over a vulnerable Down side at Pairc Esler, striking two killer goals in extra-time to book their place in Monday’s Round 2 draw.

The Dubs made virtually certain of a National Football League semi-final place with a comfortable if unspectacular eight points win over Down at Pairc Esler.

Kerry salvaged their chances of promotion from Division 2A of the Allianz hurling league when they delivered a dramatic 1-24 to 3-17 win over Carlow at Dr Cullen Park, setting up a dramatic final round of games on Sunday.

Holders Tyrone are on the verge of a place in the Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals following their 1-12 to 0-3 win over St Mary’s at Omagh today.

Benny Coulter has admitted that Down’s All-Ireland final loss to Cork in 2010 is the great regret of his career which will "eat me up until I go to my grave".

Down 1-12 Laois 1-08

Down 1-12 Laois 1-8

Captain and chief marksman Ruairi Convery led by example with a 1-11 haul as Derry qualified for their second Ulster Senior Hurling Championship final in three years.

Ireland’s Rory McIlroy shot a disappointing final round 72 for a final score of six under par in the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio yesterday.

Down 0-12 Tyrone 3-11

Tyrone 2-11 Down 3-8

Joe McMahon and Ronan McNamee have been ruled out of Tyrone’s Ulster SFC opener against Down on Sunday week.

The Pig’s Ear,

Donegal captain Michael Murphy is determined to get his side back on the rails in the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers this weekend following their shock Ulster final defeat to Monaghan.

Derry are planning without midfielder PJ McCloskey for Saturday's all-Ulster clash with Cavan in the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers.

Derry 0-13 Down 1-5

Derry 0-13 Down 1-05

Donegal 0-12 Down 0-9

Meath senior hurling manager Cillian Farrell has left his position following the Royals' Christy Ring Cup semi-final replay defeat by Down at Ballycran yesterday.

Ambrose Rogers, Conor Laverty and Championship debutant Niall Madine has been named in the Down team for Sunday's Ulster SFC quarter-final against Derry at Celtic Park (throw-in 2pm).

He might have been watched by 60 years-old Des Smyth, but Niall Gorey is determined to become the oldest swinger in town by breaking his championship duck in the West of Ireland Amateur Open at Rosses Point today.

Dublin 1-15 Down 0-9

Kerry 0-11 Down 1-05

Kerry 0-11 Down 1-5

Down 0-13 Mayo 0-11

Donegal 0-12 Down0-7

Down 1-8 Tyrone 1-11

There will be players tasting Allianz League action for the first time on both sides when Down host Ulster rivals Tyrone in Newry tomorrow night (throw-in 7pm).

Down open their Division 1 campaign with a glamour floodlit game against Tyrone on Saturday night, but Benny Coulter says the Allianz League is not exactly high up on the Mourne men's list of priorities.

Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 3-9 Kilcoo (Down) 1-9

Crossmaglen Rangers will face Down opponents in the AIB Ulster Club SFC final for the second year running, after Cross and Kilcoo won their respective semi-finals today.

It was a busy day of action in the provincial Football Championships in both Munster and Ulster, while new SFC champions were crowned in Donegal, Tipperary and Waterford.

Irish hockey officials will be forced to explain the circumstances that led to Ireland’s much-criticised withdrawal — and subsequent reinstatement — from a high-profile tournament in Argentina.