Despite dire weather warnings turnout has been strong in many constituencies, with turnout exceeding 40% of the electorate in some areas.

This would be classed as a get-out-of-jail operation for Ballyboden if they hadn’t been making a habit of such escapes.

A group campaigning to have a Waterford hospital ward reopened has been advised that admissions may recommence on a phased basis by September.

When Gerry McEntee first arrived on the Meath scene as a player in the mid-1970s, he stepped straight into the slipstream of Dublin.

A second protest is planned today outside Dungarvan Community Hospital amid fears the closure of a 27-bed elderly care rehabilitation unit will prove permanent.

Michael Darragh Macauley is in new territory.

A third county football final? It wasn’t supposed to be like this but Conal Keaney isn’t complaining.

Dublin chairman Sean Shanley says Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney’s claim that they are more physical than northern teams is laughable.

Des O’Sullivan reports of what are sure to be some prized lots at forthcoming sale.

AIB ULSTER CLUB SFC FINAL:

Omagh/St Enda’s 1-10 Carrickmore 0-12

Ballymun Kickhams and St Vincent’s will contest the Dublin SFC final after respective semi-final wins over St Jude’s and Ballyboden St Enda’s at Parnell Park last night.

Second-half goals from Darren O’Reilly and Ryan Basquel helped secure a 2-13 to 1-11 win for Ballyboden St Enda’s over St Brigid’s in Saturday’s Dublin SFC quarter-final at Parnell Park.

Paul Ryan struck 2-6 as Ballyboden St Enda’s overcame county champions Kilmacud Crokes by 3-14 to 2-13 in their Dublin SHC quarter-final at O’Toole Park yesterday afternoon.

Ballyboden St Enda’s advanced to the to the Dublin SFC quarter-finals following a controversial win over Kilmacud Crokes on Saturday.

A LIMERICK secondary school was forced to close and send pupils home yesterday after a chemical was found in a dangerous condition in the science room.

CONAL KEANEY has revealed how lucky he was to only escape with knee and ankle injuries from his motorbike accident last Friday morning on his way to work.

THREE days of intensive training under the blue skies of Portugal paid a handsome dividend for Ballymun Kickhams who saw off the challenge of St Finbarr’s in the Division 1 final of the Bus Eireann Féile Peile final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday.

HUNDREDS of postal workers yesterday paid a poignant farewell to their Limerick colleague who died last Thursday when his mail delivery bike collided with a vehicle on his morning round.

CORK dual star Mary O’Connor kicked five points as Inch Rovers were crowned Tesco All-Ireland Ladies senior club football champions for the very first time yesterday.

CARNACON and Inch Rovers will meet in the All-Ireland Club senior championship final for the third time in four years after semi-finals wins yesterday.

CORK defender Michael Shields could face a fixture dilemma if St Finbarr’s qualify for Sunday’s week county SFC final against Nemo Rangers.

THE school teacher who died after a freak accident in which a tree branch fell on her as she walked on a Limerick street, had only recently got married, it emerged yesterday.

A LOOK at life in Southill over a span of more than 40 years encapsulated in a booklet was launched yesterday by the Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Ger Fahy.

A LIMERICK secondary school says it will become the first co-ed in Munster to offer scholarships to girls pursuing third level degree courses from September.

Today will see Ballyboden clubman Stephen Hiney pull on a Dublin jersey for the first time since July 2005, as the capital side take on the Dubs Stars in the annual end-of-year clash.

PLANNING has been granted for a new €10 million 32-bed hospital for Dungarvan in Co Waterford.

Dublin forward Colin Moran will miss the opening rounds of the Allianz National Football League due to a hampering groin injury.

It is believed the two victims of last night's drive-by shooting in Antrim were best friends.