Avondale United’s players wake up in Sligo today, having broken the back of one of the longest journeys in Irish football as they head for Ballybofey and an FAI Ford Cup quarter-final replay against Finn Harps.

He doesn’t talk much about it these days. The memories are locked away, recalled only in special circumstances. But ever since Eusebio’s death on Sunday, Hilary Carlyle has looked a little differently at the photograph hanging proudly on his wall.

There were some big casualties in the Raidió na Gaeltachta Donegal SFC at the weekend in its first season using first round groups.

The one thing you can’t say about Ballybofey yesterday was that Joe McQuillan had a poor game.

Mark McHugh says the Ulster Council's decision to fix the Ulster SFC quarter-final between Donegal and Tyrone for Ballybofey has given the All-Ireland champions a timely boost.

Mark McHugh says Donegal ‘deserved’ the right to make the first defence of their Ulster and All-Ireland titles on home soil.

A judge has called time on a unique Donegal tradition after hearing gardaí were being put at risk as a result.

He has pledged his immediate future to Donegal, but Jim McGuinness hinted yesterday he would “enjoy” the challenge of managing a professional football team.

Donegal chairman PJ McGowan has vowed the county will fight to retain home advantage for next year’s Ulster championship showdown with Tyrone.

TWO businessmen have secured an interim order restraining Etic Solutions Limited, Ballybofey, Co Donegal, from reducing its AIB account below €1.7 million because of investments, inclusive of the projected interest, which the men made with the company last year.

Tyrone goalkeeper John Devine will miss the start of the 2010 inter-county season after surgery on his left shoulder in Belfast yesterday.

BARRY MONAGHAN is adamant there will be “no excuses” from the Donegal camp if they fall to Cork in this weekend’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final even though they play their fifth game in four weeks.

The television cameras will be in Ballybofey for tonight's relegation six-pointer as Finn Harps take on Cobh Ramblers at Finn Park, kick-off 8.00pm.

THE draw for the fourth round of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling qualifiers will be televised live on RTÉ on Sunday.

Finn Harps go into tonight's north-west derby against Derry City in confident form after picking up their first away win of the season against Cobh Ramblers on Friday night, kick-off 8.00pm.

Walker Cup hopeful Jonathan Caldwell staked a strong claim for selection in yesterday's Irish Amatuer Close Championship at Cork, where he shot a five under par 67 to lead the field after day one.

Salthill-Knocknacarra star Sean Armstrong knocked in Galway's only goal as they comprehensively beat GMIT 1-19 to 0-7 to qualify for the Connacht FBD League final today.

Donegal defender Karl Lacey has been confirmed as one of a large number of players asked to attend the first trial match for the Ireland International Rules panel this weekend.

Patsy McGonagle is backing Ireland's track and field stars to be in the medal mix at next month's European Championships in Gothenburg.

Carlow’s Tara Delaney sets out to capture an unprecedented third consecutive title at the Irish Open Strokeplay Championship in Rosses Point this weekend.

Tricia Mangan (Ennis), fresh from her seventh-place finish at the Welsh Open Strokeplay, defends her Lancome Irish Ladies’ Close Championship at The European Club, Co Wicklow, May 13 to 17.

Donegal 1-10 Kerry 1-09

GALWAY’S Sinead O’Sullivan is the only new cap on the Irish ladies team for the home internationals at Royal Portcawl from September 8-10.

Finn Harps have moved closer to re-signing Gaelic footballer Brendan Devenney following his six-month ban by the GAA.

KERRY defender Tomas O Sé must wait another week before discovering if he is eligible to play in the All-Ireland SFC Final.