Two wolf dogs from the North who starred in Game Of Thrones are helping drive a surge in the rare breed's popularity.

Longford 2-11 Offaly 0-9: Second-half goals from Liam Connerton and Darren Gallagher helped Longford record an eight-point win over Offaly in this Round-2 O’Byrne Cup clash in Newtowncashel.

OFFALY 4-16 LONGFORD 1-12: A little context first. 

Offaly had way too much firepower for Longford and it was their more clinical finishing of better chances created that earned them the new Division 4 silverware.

Dublin 0-17 Offaly 0-13: A magnificent seven points in a row from resurgent Dublin secured victory at Parnell Park and pole position in Group A of the O’Byrne Cup.

Wexford will surely not have an easier outing this year than their visit to O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday.

New Offaly manager Gerry Cooney has named his team to face Longford in their Allianz Football League Division 3 opener against Longford at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday (throw-in 2.30pm).

ARMAGH have suffered a massive blow prior to their crunch Ulster SFC clash with Tyrone as 12 players were quarantined when a stomach bug forced them into a one-week shutdown.

Longford denied Meath a place in the semi-finals of the 2008 O'Byrne Cup as they recorded a magnificent 0-14 to 1-6 win at Navan this afternoon.

The Ireland panel for the forthcoming Junior International Rules tour of Australia has been announced, with 15 counties represented.