Our writers chat through the main talking points from the weekend’s Allianz League action.

The meeting of the teams placed top and bottom in Division 1 ultimately panned out as expected in Navan, Galway securing their third consecutive win and Meath slipping to their fifth loss in a row and, in the process, relegation.

Kildare have given their hopes of survival in Allianz League Division Two a timely boost with a comfortable defeat of their accommodating neighbours across the border.

A stunning finale from 13-man Wexford lit up by a stoppage-time goal from Jack O'Connor, stole the Allianz Hurling League points for the Leinster champions at Croke Park.

Cork have drafted in their Fitzgibbon Cup winning contingent for Sunday's grudge Allianz Hurling League clash with Limerick.

On a dirty, stormy night in the Athletic Grounds, Armagh showed stomach for the fight on all fronts to boost their promotion hopes from Division Two while at the same time putting a considerable dent in Kildare's challenge.

There was no handshake between the managers when this ended.

It wasn’t always pretty, and there were times when it seemed like it would be Ryan McMenamin who would be leaving St Conleth's Park with a first league win for his new team, but Daniel Flynn’s 58th-minute goal proved crucial as Jack O’Connor began life in Kildare with a win.

It's a family affair as Kieran Kingston makes six changes to his Cork team to face Waterford in the Co-op Superstores Munster Hurling League.

There was a trio of away wins in the O'Byrne Cup this afternoon, as Kildare, Laois and Offaly delivered victories, while neighbours Westmeath and Meath shared the spoils in Mullingar.

Perhaps history will repeat itself and a Jack O'Connor-led team will bounce back from a loss to Longford with a strong season but, for now, it's frustration for the new Kildare manager.

Longford, Offaly and Westmeath delivered victories, with Carlow also beginning brightly this afternoon.

Labour party chairman Jack O'Connor has called for parties on the left to join forces as a general election looms in the New Year.

Rory Gallagher has been ratified as the new manager of the Derry senior football team.

Jack O’Connor, who guided his native Kerry to three All-Ireland titles, will be ratified as the new Kildare senior manager early next month.

Dublin defender Sean Moran proved to be a last-action hero yet again for boss Mattie Kenny with a late, late goal at Parnell Park to secure a dramatic Leinster SHC draw.

Cork will play in Group A of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 for 2020 after coming from behind to take a two-point win over Kilkenny in Nowlan Park this afternoon.

Maher is the latest Kerry star to announce his retirement.

Sarsfields 1-19 Ballyhea 1-13: There may have been some confusion about the final scoreline in Fermoy yesterday in this first round Cork SHC game with the full-time scoreboard reading 1-18 to 1-14.

Trade unionist Jack O'Connor has been selected as a Labour Party candidate in Wicklow to contest the next General Election.

Jack O'Connor says he is running for the Labour Party chairmanship because we are at a unique point in Irish history.

Another season, a few more slices of history for the Dubs. Not just on the pitch, but along the sideline, too.

Siptu says the Government needs to talk to all unions when it comes to putting together a new public sector pay deal.

Kerry U21 boss Jack O’Connor has warned that the county must start producing young players capable of surviving at senior level as “Aidan O’Mahony, Marc Ó Sé, Kieran Donaghy, and Colm Cooper can’t go on forever”.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

The President of Siptu, Jack O'Connor, says there is a poverty of ambition among parties on the left to get into government.

Jack O’Connor knew his minor charges were motoring well, but even he was taken aback by the complete nature of this final showing.

SIPTU is to begin a campaign demanding pay rises for workers.

The leader of the country's largest union is calling for fresh talks regarding public-sector pay before the Haddington Road Agreement expires next year.

Declan O'Sullivan has revealed how his battered knees ultimately forced him to call time on his Kerry football career.

It may yet prove to be a watershed moment for the Government.

The head of one of the country's largest trade unions has agreed with the Taoiseach's warning over water charges.

The Minister for Agriculture said the Government will take note of the number of people who took to the streets of Ireland yesterday in opposition to water charges.

The head of the country's largest trade unions is calling for a different approach to opposition to the water charge.

The President of Ireland's largest trade union has said Labour should remain in Government.

SIPTU president Jack O'Connor will launch an historic new USI-SIPTU agreement, giving all USI members acces to, and the support of SIPTU in their workplace.

By Tony Leen, Tralee

The Taoiseach is playing down hopes of any increases to private sector wages.

Former Kerry manager, Jack O'Connor, reflects on the retirement of Paul Galvin.

The country's largest employers group IBEC says "across-the-board" wage increases should be avoided.

Delegates at the Labour Party's annual conference have voted to replace the property tax with a site value tax.

SIPTU officers will support the ballot decision by members in Dublin Bus.

The Kerry County Board have revealed their plans to build a GAA Centre of Excellence and associated facilities, with sponsors Kerry Group contributing €1 million to the project.

Former Leinster Championship-winning captain Glenn Ryan is now out of the running to replace Kieran McGeeney as Kildare senior football manager.