A former Stormont minister appeared emotional as he claimed he was “just one boy” against multiple attempts to “smear” him.

In a parallel universe yesterday’s All-Ireland U21 hurling final topped off an unforgettable season with a dazzling flourish, with Tipperary and Cork swapping sixty-odd scores on a baking summer’s day, maybe, as happened a couple of times in this year’s senior championship.

Just when you thought this hurling summer could spoil us no more, the youngsters from Tipperary and Cork go and produce a most incredible finish to the last ever All-Ireland U21 final.

Having scored four points in a row, Tipp were given a great opportunity to forge further clear as Robert Byrne’s clearance broke for Mark Kehoe, who did well to claim possession despite being outnumbered by Cork defenders.

The discussion in the staff room at Our Lady’s, Templemore on Wednesday morning centred on the long list of household names who passed through their doors without ever pocketing a Harty Cup medal.

A former producer of The Mrs Merton Show has said he thinks Caroline Aherne was “happier before she was successful” and that she found it “very difficult” dealing with her celebrity status.

Ukip's leader in the North has said foreign doctors should be deported over a parking fine.

As the first gay marriages were taking place in the Republic yesterday morning, in the North a man was outlining on radio how he was actively considering suicide because of his sexuality — and that man is a Catholic priest.

The Bibby Financial Services Ireland Gold Cup yesterday developed into the closely contested race the market suggested and, from the feature, the Gordon Elliott-trained Don Cossack emerged a genuine contender for next season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

I still chuckle at the story of the (All-Ireland-winning) inter-county team management who decided to spring surprise car inspections on players rolling into training, writes Michael Moynihan.

"Curry my yoghurt can coca coalyer", said DUP MLA Gregory Campbell, clearly taking the p*ss.

Gay Byrne has said he would consider assisted suicide if he was faced with a drawn-out and painful illness.

Stephen Nolan would love to run Prince Rudi in the Irish National next spring after his stable stalwart landed the feature race on the sixth day of the Galway Festival on Saturday.

Prince Rudi rolled back the years to land the feature race on the sixth day of the Galway Festival.

Cillian’s Return, bought out of Bill Farrell’s by J P McManus after taking a bumper at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day, made a winning start for his new connections when easily taking the Michael Maher Building And Construction Services Maiden Hurdle at Tipperary last night.

Glenealy 0-17 Bray Emmet’s 0-14

The North’s leading prosecutor has addressed confusion surrounding controversial draft abortion guidelines by insisting it is not a crime to assist a woman going elsewhere in the UK for a termination.

RTÉ chiefs were left red-faced when they failed to broadcast a highly publicised, pre-recorded documentary in a prime-time slot and then struggled to air another programme in its place.

YOU’RE newly single and back on the dating scene following a traumatic breakup.

Defending senior hurling champions Glenealy drew with arch-rivals Carnew in Saturday’s dogged semi-final encounter at Aughrim (1-11 apiece).

FIRST THINGS first ladies, I can explain. Honestly.

The Irish solar energy firm BNRG Renewables is investing in a €35m, 20mw solar park in the UK, with construction set to begin next month.

The progressive Eddie Harty-trained Dressedtothenines completed a hat-trick of successes with her best win to date in the Grade 2 Keelings’ Irish Strawberry Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Eleven special needs children were left badly shaken when their school bus overturned in Co Down today.

Eleven special needs children were left badly shaken when their school bus overturned in Co Down today.

Television and radio presenter Stephen Nolan is set to be targeted by Union flag protesters.

The head of an American firearms lobbying group has said the shooting at a cinema in Denver, Colorado is an opportunity to “loosen up gun laws”.

Wexford manager Liam Dunne has repeated his plea for the GAA to review the National League structure.

Liam Dunne has criticised former GAA president Christy Cooney for not doing enough for hurling.

Ursa Major captured the opening night feature, the Derby Festival Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap, when the three-year-old ran out a determined winner at the expense of Buy Back Bob at the Curragh last night.

Up to 80,000 jobs could be created and the country’s GDP boosted by €3.9bn if the Government creates a policy framework that enables more cleantech industries to be developed, according to a report.

CONDITIONS were horrendous for last evening’s truncated card at Punchestown, but the show went ahead with the Irish Daily Mirror War Of Attrition Novice Hurdle completely dominated by Willie Mullins.

Champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins dominated on a truncated run in gruelling conditions at Punchestown.

Shamiran got the better of British raider Weekend Millionair in a gruelling opening race as Punchestown’s depleted all hurdles and bumper card got under way in difficult conditions.

SATURDAY

BALLYBODEN St Enda’s completed a five in-a-row to confirm their dominance in Dublin hurling when overcoming O’Toole’s by 12 points in a disappointing SHC final under lights at Parnell Park yesterday.

SO, George Clooney, what are you doing Saturday night?

A young man has died in a tragic car accident in wintry conditions in Co Carlow.

KILKENNY champions, O’Loughlin-Gaels saved themselves from the grave with only seconds remaining in normal time and then made Ballyboden St Enda’s (Dublin) pay the ultimate price when they scored a daring win in this thrilling Leinster Club SFC semi-final in Nowlan Park yesterday.

THE removal of heavyweight forces like Ballyhale Shamrocks and Birr has blown the Leinster senior club hurling race wide open.

A Ballymun man who led gardai on a high speed chase around Dublin city centre before being flung from his motorbike has received a four year sentence with one suspended.

A SUPERB 239/1 treble by Davy Russell, on Instinctive, Playboy Luke and Meadows Thyne, proved the highlight of yesterday’s action at Gowran Park.

A Libyan teenager who threatened to follow an employee of the Refugee Reception and Integration Office home and burn down her house after his request for accommodation was refused has had his sentence adjourned.

THE neglected, rabbit-eared television set flickers high on the wall in the corner of the bar. Though ignored, Galway’s Joe Canning nervelessly taps over another free on a night in Semple Stadium that would ultimately see Cork slip quietly from the All-Ireland hurling championship.

IT wasn’t meant to be like this! Colm Bonnar came to the Wexford hurling job with high hopes of bringing his considerable experience as player and coach to bear on a team which needed to be revitalised and strengthened, only to be stymied by a worrying sequence of injuries.

A HUGE boost for the Munster hurling champions as Eoin Kelly makes his first appearance of the year for Tipperary in Sunday’s championship clash with Cork at Semple Stadium.

LAST March they produced, by common consent, a sublime classic, and in Limerick this afternoon Limerick IT and Waterford IT renew Fitzgibbon Cup battle once more.

IF ever there was an opportunity for the GAA to say ‘thank you’ to one of its finest group of supporters, it’s now.