Ken Hogan was extolling the talents of Loughgiel on Saturday when news came through the Antrim side had been taken to extra-time in their All-Ireland Club semi-final with Na Piarsaigh.

CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS are furious that their All-Ireland Club FC quarter-final clash with Munster champions Dr Crokes has been fixed for Saturday February 18 at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise (throw-in 2pm).

NEW Wexford manager Liam Dunne has warned some of his older players to retire now with dignity or face the axe.

DUBLIN’S Conal Keaney admits he faces a battle to return to hurling in 2012.

BALLYBODEN St Enda’s completed a five in-a-row to confirm their dominance in Dublin hurling when overcoming O’Toole’s by 12 points in a disappointing SHC final under lights at Parnell Park yesterday.

LEINSTER club title hopeful Dessie Dolan plans to party on Sunday night like it’s 2004.

HE was once on the books of Glasgow Celtic, but, on this display, Paul Cahillane is sure to come to the attention of Laois boss, Seán Dempsey.

THE jury is still out on Pat Gilroy’s attempts to inject new blood into a Dublin team that plateaued under Paul Caffrey but no-one can accuse the St Vincent’s clubman of playing it safe.

FIRST things first. Pat Gilroy’s recent comments that the All-Ireland club championship should be condensed into a calendar year are illogical, unfounded and unworkable.

MANAGER Maurice Aylward believes Ballyhale Shamrocks’ progression to the Leinster club SHC final on Saturday represented a victory on two fronts.

Kilanerin 1-12 Gusserane O'Rahilly's 0-12

GAA officials are to investigate an incident in which a match referee in yesterday's Leinster club semi-final was allegedly struck by a supporter.

IF only tomorrow’s Leinster Club senior hurling final between Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) and Birr (Offaly) were being held a month ago – what a contest we’d have had in store!

Former player John Crofton is to succeed the departed Padraig Nolan as manager of the Kildare footballers for next season.

The Leinster Council have upheld St Brigid's appeal into the eligibility of Mark Vaughan playing in the Dublin SFC.

Portlaoise (Laois) 1-11 Skryne (Meath) 2-4

WITH time ticking down on this year’s hurling season, most team managers spend the winter evenings in front of the fire, ruminating on the season, planning for the year ahead.

Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes have received an ideal boost ahead of Saturday's AIB Leinster Club quarter final against Garrycastle of Westmeath, with 10 nominations in the 2004 football Blue-Stars.

TWELVE months ago, an injured Chris Conway watched Laois capture their first Leinster title since 1946 from the Hogan Stand.

CHRISTMAS Day may be a full week away but the GAA is unlikely to receive a more welcome boost over the festive season than yesterday’s news that Bank of Ireland would be continuing it’s SFC sponsorship for a further four years until 2007.

HURLING legends DJ Carey and Brian Whelahan last night warned GAA chiefs they will go “as far as they have to” to support Cork’s hurling rebels.

Mark Gallagher looks at how Reilly put the boys from Collon firmly on the map

THE GAELIC Players Association last night claimed the Leinster CounciI decision to press ahead with Sunday’s provincial quarter-final between Rathnew and the Dublin champions shows “scant regard for the physical and psychological well-being of the players involved.”

Dublin champions, Na Fianna, will have to wait until Tuesday night before they learn whether they can take their place in the Leinster Club Senior Football final.