After Kilkenny’s first All-Ireland senior title under Brian Cody in 2000, the strength of his panel was lauded to such an extent that when the Cats cruised through Leinster the following year their second 15 were deemed the next best side in the country.

The cancelled Garth Brooks concerts, the 2010 Leinster SFC final, the failed 2023 Rugby World Cup bid and the protracted process to redevelop Casement Park have been cited by GAA director general Páraic Duffy as the major disappointments of his 10-year tenure.

The Dubs have secured an inconceivable four one-point wins in All Ireland finals in the last 7 years, writes Mike Quirke.

Stephen Cluxton has won his game’s ultimate honour on four occasions. This Saturday, he makes his 89th championship appearance, going one ahead of Tomás and Marc Ó Sé, writes John Fogarty.

Tommy Walsh has spoken openly for the first time about the difficulty he experienced in being dropped by Brian Cody in 2014.

Stephen Cluxton’s long-time auxiliary John Leonard’s award-winning Dub Sub Confidential autobiography last year gave the greatest insight into the goalkeeper. 

In the previous decade, both times I was collared for penalty points happened on the way to meeting the Ó Sés. 

With regard to athleticism, tactical awareness and skill, Bryan Sheehan isn’t so sure. But when it comes to hunger, the Kerry captain doesn’t see how the Kingdom can be bettered on Sunday.

By way of an arresting intro I was hoping this morning to bring you exclusive news of Rich Ricci’s opinion of Davy Fitz and Brian Cody. Really. Just for the sake of it. Just by way of something different.

Unique is one word to describe John Mulhall. Mercurial is another. One of Kilkenny’s great hurling mysteries explains to John Fogarty how he did it his way...

A forgetable final they’ll remember in Dublin.

Former Tyrone star Brian McGuigan claims Kerry would have won the 2011 All-Ireland final had Eamonn Fitzmaurice been in charge of them.

They played nice at their respective press evenings but it’s hardly surprising that when two counties who share such a storied, chequered recent history meet, there are going to be unpalatable truths for both.

Former teammates Brendan Cummins and Eoin Kelly have paid tribute to retiring Tipperary defender Paul Curran.

IT would have been the perfect farewell and it very nearly came to pass last Tuesday week, but Colin Fennelly slightly overcooked his pull-back from the right – he hit it a little too well – and Henry Shefflin, in space right in front of the Kilmallock goal, couldn’t quite get his hand to the sliotar.

Mayo 0-10, Dublin 2-18:

The departure of Tommy Walsh from the inter-county stage means we won’t see that red helmet blaze through a thicket having won a puck-out.

Ever since Lar Corbett broke through for a goal in a largely forgotten yet pivotal 2008 league semi-final in Nowlan Park to announce the Liam Sheedy era and the Tipperary revival, it’s as if there have been two kinds of games in the life of a Tipperary or Kilkenny hurler — those against their fiercest enemy and those against everyone else.

All Ireland SFC Final

All-Ireland final week, and excited as I am at the prospect of another meeting of Kilkenny and Tipperary, I’m also very disappointed with the way hurling is going.

Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady remembers receiving the picture message on his phone.

Raymie Ryan remembers first clapping eyes on the "impatient, talented young fella" that was Séamus Callanan when he took over as manager of Drom & Inch ahead of the 2007 campaign.

For over 100 years, ‘the bench’ was sport’s version of purgatory. A transition point between oblivion and opportunity. Dublin have done their utmost to change that perception and promote a squad ethos, but a reputation earned isn’t easy shed.

There was just 8,654 at last weekend’s Allianz FL Division 3 and 4 finals, ensuring that Croke Park was quiet and cavernous all evening.

ALLIANZ FL DIVISION 1 FINAL:

ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 1A:

On Sunday, Eamonn Fitzmaurice subjected his players to a horror show, the lowlights reel of last year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Dublin.

As Mayo manager James Horan anticipated, Joe McQuillan has been appointed to referee Sunday week’s All-Ireland football final.

Paddy Andrews, joked team-mate Kevin McManamon, isn’t the most popular person in Kerry after helping to usher them out the championship exit door for the second time in three years.

Tradition and the dramatic final of two years ago have made Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final a sell-out, but it is also the truer All-Ireland semi-final as Kerry and Dublin arrive unbeaten.

The name of Kieran Donaghy is missing from the Kerry team announced last night for their All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash with Dublin at Croke Park on Sunday (throw-in 3.30pm).

Dublin legend Jimmy Keaveney has rubbished claims Jim Gavin’s men are going to brush Kerry aside in Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final.

At a get-to-know-you meeting with the media earlier this year, Jim Gavin showed journalists footage of Dublin football from the 1970s and 1980s.

“We’re playing those mind games together, Pushing the barriers, planting seeds”.

Eoin Kelly and Lar Corbett have been tasked with shooting down Kilkenny in Saturday's mouth-watering All-Ireland SHC second phase qualifier at Nowlan Park (throw-in 7pm).

Mick O’Dwyer believes too much water has passed under the bridge for him to have the inside track on his former team Laois.

So, back-to-back 16-point victories for Jim Gavin and his Dublin side but he’s not struggling to keep a straight face.

Joe McQuillan is an intriguing choice as referee for the Leinster SFC semi-final between Dublin and Kildare in Croke Park on Sunday week.