Killian Doyle scored 1-14 as Westmeath retained their Division 1 status and in the process relegated Carlow back to Division 2A for next season.

Dublin hurlers, having led by two points at half time, took second control of this NHL Division lB third round tie at Netwatch Cullen Park, Mattie Kenny’s side outscoring hosts Carlow by 0-14 to 0-5 in that second period.

The yawning chasm in class between these neighbours was fully in evidence as Kilkenny thrashed Colm Bonnar’s by 21 points in a NHL Division 1B mismatch before an attendance of 3,000.

It’s not that Clare’s opening salvo in this year’s National League was a box-ticking exercise, but as soon as the final whistle sounded to signal this facile 16-point victory it’s safe to say that everyone of a saffron and blue hue was moving towards next Sunday’s mouth-watering clash with Wexford.

As expected Clare opened their National League campaign under new manager Brian Lohan in impressive fashion as they eased to a comprehensive 16-point victory over Colm Bonnar’s Carlow in Ennis.

Davy Fitzgerald has earned a reputation as a nomadic manager who doesn’t spend too long in any one position but it’s a label Conor McDonald could never understand.

John Fogarty previews the weekend's GAA fixtures.

Leinster chairman Jim Bolger has admitted a radical move to a new-look eight-team Leinster hurling championship, comprising two groups of four, is unlikely.

Former Waterford boss Derek McGrath has admitted he wants to manage his county again at some stage but stated it’s unlikely to be for 2020.

Jack O’Connor is the front-runner to replace Cian O’Neill as Kildare senior football manager.

Next year’s junior cycle well-being course will include a unit of learning titled ‘Is Everybody Going Well’.

Imagine what must have been going through the minds of folk in the hurling communities of North Kerry or the Glens of Antrim last Sunday as word filtered through that Laois had gone and blown the bloody doors off the championship with that explosive performance against Dublin.

Hurling’s best kept secret, the Joe McDonagh Cup, comes out of the shadows on Sunday with live TV coverage of the final at Croke Park between Laois and Westmeath.

Carlow hurler Paul Coady says his team have not been treated as equals in the Liam MacCarthy Cup, and a Championship restructure should keep them in the competition.

Shortly before the Leinster hurling championship began, Marty Kavanagh admitted that Carlow would be targeting the Dublin game in particular.

The only problem with throwing a party like this is that you don’t get to have the final say over the guest list.

Micheál Donoghue knows how Galway’s February draw with Carlow was framed in some quarters.

No need for a telescope when Colm Bonnar scans a metaphorical eye over the hurling landscape in Carlow.

Carlow attacker Marty Kavanagh reckons a single win could be enough to preserve their Leinster SHC status and admitted they’re targeting the Dublin game in particular.

Carlow recorded their first ever away win in Division One hurling today, and they couldn’t have done it in more dramatic circumstances as they came from 11 points down to outfight Offaly in Bord na Móna O’Connor Park, condemning the Faithful County to relegation to Division Two next year.

Wicklow face Derry in the Allianz Division 2B League final tomorrow afternoon, a game you may associate with simmering dissatisfaction about its location (Inniskeen, which is not Croke Park).

Offaly’s two top forwards Joe Bergin and Shane Dooley hit a combined 4-4 as the Faithful County claimed their first Allianz Hurling League 1B points of the campaign with a deserved victory over Carlow in a game which started in a downpour and ended in a snowstorm at Netwatch Cullen Park.

OFFALY'S two top forwards Joe Bergin and Shane Dooley hit a combined 4-4 as the Faithful County claimed their first NHL Division 1B points of the campaign with a deserved seven-point victory over Carlow in a game which started in a downpour and ended in a snowstorm at Netwatch Cullen Park.

So far, so good for Paraic Fanning in Division 1B of the Allianz League.

Carlow hurlers Seamus Murphy and Richard Coady are hopeful Sunday’s league stalemate with 2018 All-Ireland finalists Galway will help grow the game in the county.

Former Tipperary star Eoin Kelly says his former teammate Brendan Cummins would “drop everything” to replace Michael Ryan as manager of the county’s hurlers.

Carlow manager, Colm Bonnar, has refused to rule out a shock result against Limerick, after claiming significant silverware at Croke Park for the second season running.

Diarmuid Lyng owes John Meyler an apology.

Noel McGrath has been relegated to the Tipperary bench for tomorrow’s All-Ireland SHC second round qualifier against Dublin.

Carlow 5-23 - Antrim 4-15: Carlow boss Colm Bonnar admitted his players forgot about the title at stake, and the place in the All-Ireland qualifiers, and simply focused on finally beating Antrim.

Limerick IT 0-16 Waterford IT 0-8: Limerick IT manager Davy Fitzgerald was thrilled as his side easily accounted for 14-man WIT to reach the Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final after a powerful performance at Moylish in Limerick.

Derek McGrath mentioned it in passing last week but it’s a game worth revisiting.

The man can take himself out of the fight but can he ever take the fight out of himself? 

As far as motivations go, few are stronger than emulating those who have come before you in your club.

So much for pre-match expectations. Kilmallock had shown great resolve and commitment to win Munster.

Out of over 2,000 clubs in the country, they’re the two running onto Croker. It makes for one of the most glorious days of all

Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Kilmallock (Limerick) Today: Croke Park, 2pm TV: TG4

It’ll be the wrecking ball for Cork soon enough as the bulldozers move into Páirc Uí Chaoimh. But it was county secretary Frank Murphy who was constructive, namely hitting the nail on the head when he spoke against plans to end the St Patrick’s Day All-Ireland Club senior finals.

Ballyhale Shamrocks joint manager Colm Bonnar says the different approach taken by hurling referees in Kilkenny has contributed to the Cats’ success at intercounty level, believing club competition can be so intense, it’s "nearly a relief" for players to return to inter-county fare.

Ballyshale Shamrocks(Kilkenny)v Kilmallock(Limerick):

The results of a scan on Austin Gleeson’s hamstring this morning will determine if the Waterford IT full-forward plays any role in this evening’s Fitzgibbon Cup final replay at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Offaly 1-14, Waterfrord 2-18: The previous four league meetings between these two counties were evenly shared, the latter three decided by a goal or less.

The Fitzgibbon Cup final replay between University of Limerick and Waterford IT will take place on Wednesday March 11.

Waterford IT manager Colm Bonnar has pleaded with Comhairle Ardoideachais chiefs to delay the Fitzgibbon Cup final replay until next week.

Corner-back Tom Fox's point on 80 minutes ensured this dramtic Fitzgibbon Cup final would require a second day out.

Corner-back Tom Fox’s point on 80 minutes ensured this dramtic Fitzgibbon Cup final would require a second day out.

Fitzgibbon Cup