GAA officials have played down the Cork hurlers’ withdrawal from the All-Star trip to Singapore, saying withdrawals have always been a feature of the scheme.

The temperatures may have gone down a few degrees in the past week but the heat will certainly be on for Derry, Laois, Monaghan and Tyrone today as they bid to make the last eight of this year's All-Ireland football championship.

LAOIS selector Declan O’Loughlin is adamant that his team will secure an All-Ireland quarter-final spot if they can avoid a repeat of the slow starts that handicapped them so badly against Offaly and Dublin.

KILDARE forward Stuart McKenzie-Smith looks set to miss the rest of the championship after dislocating his elbow in an incident in Newbridge on Sunday night.

A WEEK away from taking on Laois in their opening league game, Liam Kearns might wonder about his team’s form after beating Cork in poor conditions and victories over three third-level teams in the McGrath Cup.

THERE was a time when county championship success meant rounds. Not of the pitch, but of pints and of pubs, with chests out, heads held high, and the all-important cup in tow.

Kerry 0-7 Cork 0-3