Farrell presided over his first official press conference as Jim Gavin's successor at the offices of Dublin GAA sponsors AIG and had good news for supporters.

Restaurants and cafes have asked for a bailout from the Government similar to the one given to creches after it emerged that four of the main insurance providers are pulling out of the Irish hospitality market.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland was notified of the news that four insurance companies would be pulling out of the Irish café and hospitality market by a broker, according to a spokesperson.

Two of the biggest insurance companies in the country are reporting less than 5% of fraudulent personal injury claims to Gardaí.

Well, there you have it.

Kerry and Dublin isn’t just a heavyweight duel on the pitch. It’s a muscular collision off it between two global mega-corporations partnering two GAA superpowers, albeit via wholly different business strategies.

Dublin GAA commercial chief Tomás Quinn insists money has had nothing to do with the county’s march to the brink of a historic five in a row.

Hammerson, the owner of shopping centres in Britain and Ireland, named insurance giant AIG executive James Lenton as its new finance chief, months after saying Timon Drakesmith would step down from the role this year.

British Airways (BA) passengers have reported delayed and cancelled flights due to IT issues with the company's check-in systems.

I always get a little uneasy when my thinking is too aligned with the majority.

Five-time All-Ireland winner Jonny Cooper has revealed he thinks Gaelic football is fine as it is and doesn’t require any playing rules overhaul.

Kinsale captured the first green pennant in the club’s 106-year history when they beat Hermitage 3-2 in a heart-stopping finale to the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield at Thurles.

Dublin forward Paul Mannion has revealed he laughs at claims their spectacular success this decade is down to money.

Some 10 years ago, Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy. On September 29, 2008 the Irish Government announced a blanket guarantee of all the liabilities in the Irish banking system.

Dublin manager Mick Bohan is hoping that last Sunday’s A versus B training game will be the hour that gives his side the edge to claim back-to-back TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC titles for the first time in the county’s history.

Dublin’s All-Ireland winning captain Stephen Cluxton took the opportunity in his acceptance speech to address claims the county are buttressed by their financial clout and 1.5 million population.

Kinsale’s John Murphy tees it up in the AIG Irish Amateur Close at the European Club today determined to head back to the US with another major title in his carry-on luggage.

A project manager with the IDA told a court she was being sued by and on behalf of three people who were not in a car she collided with.

The Super 8 is the advent of a form of professionalism in inter-county football but “true Corinthians” like Waterford will have to soldier on, says former manager John ‘Jackson’ Kiely.

Former Dublin All-Star Ray Cosgrove has identified new-look Kerry as the greatest threat to his county’s bid for four All-Ireland titles in a row.

If the Cairde Chorcaí project succeeds in engaging the masses, as well as the classes, then Cork could finally be the force they should be, says John Coleman.

Much like the championships and trophies accrued by teams on the field of play, the sustained commercial success of a sporting organisation does not happen by chance.

Driving home for Christmas can do strange things to strange and not-so-strange people. The mind, as Paradise Lost told us, is its own place — it can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven. The journey for some may be filled with unbridled joy and excitement, anticipating long overdue reunions. F

All Blacks legend Richie McCaw is excited about Ronan O’Gara’s impending move to the Crusaders, after it was announced yesterday that the Corkman will take on the role of assistant coach with the Super Rugby franchise in January.

Lee Valley were crowned Minor Cup champions but Killarney and Cahir Park will have to wait until today to find out if they have won an All Ireland pennant after a dramatic day in the AIG Ladies Cups and Shields Finals at Malone.

Lee Valley will be hoping to put another dent in Mountbellew’s AIG Ladies Cups and Shields dream when they take on the Galway minnows in the Minor Cup final at Malone today.

Ballybunion moved a step closer to regaining the AIG Junior Cup for the first time since 2013 but it needed a 20th hole victory in the defining singles match at Carton House to edge their semi-final against Loughrea.

The GUI’s annual AIG Cups and Shields All-Ireland finals look primed to get off to a blistering start this morning when Munster champions Tralee meet Connacht kingpins Galway in the first Barton Shield semi-final.

Dublin and Mayo were the two biggest spending inter-county set ups last year, clocking up over €3m in bills between them. That’s a lot of rubs and grub, writes Tony Leen. 

Athenry schoolboy David Kitt could become the youngest winner of the AIG Irish Amateur Close since Rory McIlroy in 2006 after cruising into the semi-finals in impressive style on a day of shocks at Galway Golf Club.

Golf

After a series of outstanding matches throughout the provinces, the way has now been largely paved for the national finals of the AIG Irish Cups and Shields at the O’Meara Course, Carton House, Kildare next month, (September 20-23).

AIB has brought legal proceedings against a number of insurers after they declined to cover the bank for losses arising out of $700m (€596m) fraud by rogue trader John Rusnak, writes Ann O'Loughlin.

In terms of the greatest sports team seen, they are up there with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

Insurer and asset manager Standard Life is likely to choose Dublin as the base for its EU subsidiary after the UK leaves the bloc, its chairman said.

Current house shortages and house price increases will not prevent Ireland luring regulated UK-based banks and insurers who will need a home inside the EU after Brexit, Central Bank governor Philip Lane has said.

Consumer advice with Gráinne McGuinness.

Industry body Insurance Ireland has called for an urgent review of the country’s attractiveness as an EU hub after reports that Lloyd’s of London plans to overlook Ireland as it selects a new European headquarters following Brexit.

The EU wants to avoid Brexit turf wars by extending its oversight of financial services.