The second James Owens blew the final whistle on Laois’ stunning nine-point defeat of Offaly in Sunday’s Leinster quarter-final, man of the match Willie Hyland made a beeline towards his manager.

There’s a chap out there in the national media who to all appearances is doing very nicely for himself. 

Tony Kelly is diplomatic enough not to be drawn on whether it’s Clare’s U21s who are benefiting more from the seniors or the other way around.

From the time he grabbed Davy Byrne’s starting spot during the 2001 Leinster championship, Stephen Cluxton has missed few important games for Dublin.

Ollie Baker's spell in charge of the Offaly senior hurlers is over after two years in charge. The former All-Star midfielder from Clare will not be seeking a third year with the Faithful county.

Erin's Own clubman Conor Fogarty will replace the injured Jackie Tyrrell in the Kilkenny defence when they meet Dublin in Sunday's Leinster SHC semi-final at O'Moore Park (throw-in 3.50pm).

Tipperary manager Eamon O’Shea concedes Lar Corbett is facing a race against time to be fit to start Sunday week’s Munster semi-final against Limerick.

Westmeath 3-15 Carlow 1-10

The Kilkenny County Board have confirmed that Brian Cody is to take an enforced break from managing the county's senior hurling team.

REFEREES chief Mick Curley has admitted the new rule change in relation to incidents dealt with by the match officials is open to inconsistencies.

Galway's poor display against Mayo last weekend will not lure Meath into complacency when the sides meet in the All-Ireland qualifiers on Saturday week.

Rory Hanniffy and James Mulrooney will line out for Offaly against Cork in tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC first phase qualifier at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (throw-in 2.30pm).

CONOR O’MAHONY returns to the Tipperary lineup for Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final against Clare in the Gaelic Grounds in the only change from the side that defeated Cork last month. O’Mahony is named at centre-back with Padraic Maher moving to half-back and John O’Keeffe to the full-back line in place of Paddy Stapleton.

COLM BONNAR fears his Wexford side could face a massive backlash from his native Tipperary in today’s All-Ireland qualifier clash at Semple Stadium.

NIALL RIGNEY has stepped down as Laois hurling boss in the wake of last Saturday’s surprise All-Ireland championship exit at the hands of Carlow.

FOLLOWING the debacle of last year’s embarrassing Leinster championship exit to their fierce local rivals Kildare, Laois football was at a crossroads.

Experienced defender Ronan Fallon has opted to leave to the Dublin senior hurling squad.

LAOIS’S hopes of continuing their recent hurling renaissance have improved with confirmation that manager Niall Rigney wishes to continue on in the post.

WESTMEATH’S reward for beating Longford on Sunday is a Leinster quarter-final meeting with Offaly in Tullamore, but Dennis Glennon’s eyes are already being drawn towards the last four and a possible meeting with Dublin.

JJ McHugh and Philip Russell have both been included in the Laois side for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Galway (O'Moore Park, throw-in 7pm).

Wexford's star forward Matty Forde has demanded a big improvement for their Leinster quarter-final tie against Kildare at Croke Park.

Dublin champions UCD will meet Rathnew of Wicklow in a re-scheduled Leinster Football quarter-final this Sunday.