Dublin football defender Jonny Cooper has confirmed he is available to make his seasonal return to action against Donegal on Saturday week.

We probably didn’t think it could come to this, writes Declan Bogue.

UCC clinched the Munster Senior League Premier Division crown after a three-way title-deciding night of action.

UCC will be ready to apply for planning permission for their new sporting facilities in the autumn as the college looks to build on the incredible success achieved on the field over the last year.

Tohill Jnr is a towering figure at 6’6’’ tall despite being just 18.

The AFL Grand Final takes place on Saturday between Collingwood and West Coast Eagles in front of an expected 100,000 strong crowd at the MCG, writes Jack Anderson

When first asked to write a column for this paper, the esteemed sports editor gave me three guidelines: Write clearly; be informative; and stay impartial, writes Jack Anderson 

Aussie Rules player Conor McKenna has been suspended for three weeks for biting an opponent.

The case cast light on a culture of contempt and entitlement in sport, but rugby in particular, and it would be fascinating to examine where the sympathies of Jackson’s and Olding’s team-mates lay, writes Paul Rouse

Former Down player Marty Clarke has begun a new role mentoring young Gaelic footballers identified as Aussie Rules prospects, as the AFL switches its recruitment focus away from the USA and back to Ireland.

Students of the beautiful game are readying themselves for the biggest week in the third level football calendar, with the 2016 Collingwood Cup up for grabs and the Colleges and Universities Premier League also to be decided.

Threesomes involving Premier league footballers have been tabloid fodder for years. But a new book looks at how the macho, cossetted professional sports environment has created a horrific world where rape is a form of male bonding, writes Richard Fitzpatrick

Seán Barron and Michael O’Halloran are the two Waterford debutants for Sunday’s Munster SFC quarter-final against Tipperary in Semple Stadium (3.30pm).

Former All Star Marty Clarke is targeting his Down return in 2016 with a tunnel vision despite struggling to climb his own stairs just months ago.

Eoin Cadogan will take his first steps into coaching when he links up with the Armagh hurlers next season — despite yesterday committing to Cork’s footballers in 2015.

Former Kildare underage star Seán Hurley wants to follow in the footsteps of Tadhg Kennelly and conquer the Australia Football League.

Former Kildare underage star Seán Hurley wants to follow in the footsteps of Tadhg Kennelly and conquer the Australia Football League.

A significant change to regulations relating to developmental players is likely to see an increase in interest in Irish players by AFL clubs.

Reports that Seanie Johnston’s bid to achieve an inter-county transfer from Cavan to Kildare was over for this year have proved wide of the mark after the former Breffni captain resubmitted his application to the Central Competitions’ Control Committee yesterday.

A former high-ranking official of the Melbourne Demons club has revealed that the so-called Irish experiment that began with the club recruiting Jim Stynes, Sean Wight and Paul Earley, was financed largely by media mogul, Rupert Murdoch.

A Niall Hanley header after 12 minutes proved enough to give UCD another Irish Universities Collingwood Cup title in the decider against Mary Immaculate College, Limerick at the University of Limerick yesterday.

SETANTA Ó hAILPÍN is “hell bent” on capitalising on a second bite of the cherry that has seen him go full circle, bringing him back to the doorstep of where he was born.

SETANTA Ó hÁILPÍN is adamant his next club will reap the benefits of Carlton’s Irish experiment, after the club abandoned him after eight years.

AN Irish AFL agent has admitted the GAA have succeeded in making the recruitment of young Irish players to Australian Rules clubs more difficult.

AFL club Carlton moved Setanta Ó hAilpín on this week but they are continuing their commitment to the so-called “Irish experiment” by holding a trial at the University of Limerick on Saturday morning.

SETANTA Ó hAILPÍN’S eight-year career with the Carlton Blues is over after the Corkman was axed from the AFL club yesterday.

DOWN County Board secretary Sean Óg McAteer insists the door will always remain open for Marty Clarke to return to the Mourne County’s football ranks following confirmation yesterday that the An Ríocht player is returning to Australia to resume his AFL career with Collingwood.

Danny Hughes will be an absentee for Down's All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier against Clare on Saturday.

Forwards Benny Coulter and Conor Maginn have been added to Down's injury list ahead of their All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Clare.

John Clarke has stepped away from senior inter-county football, going public on his decision to quit the Down panel this week.

TWO stunning Caolan Mooney goals secured a second successive MacRory Cup title for St Colman’s Newry in a compelling final at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh yesterday.

TOMMY WALSH’S debut in the AFL next week is a story that will be framed by the sports pages, distilled by short-sleeved press men and is, undeniably, about Aussie Rules.

WHEN the International Rules series ground to ahalt in Croke Park on Saturday night, it radiated a healthy glow.

FIRST they conquered the round ball. Now it seems the Australians are quickly coming to grips with the Irish climate.

AUSTRALIAN International Rules coach Mick Malthouse is ‘very hopeful’ that Down star Marty Clarke will return to Melbourne to resume his AFL career.

IRELAND’S Tadhg Kennelly has already started some good-natured mind games ahead of the International Rules opener on Saturday.

MARTIN CLARKE’S former Collingwood team-mates will sound the Down playmaker out about the possibility of returning to the AFL when they visit Ireland as part of the Australian international rules squad next month.

DOWN attacker Benny Coulter believed his first-half goal in yesterday’s All-Ireland semi-final was going to be disallowed for a square ball.

JIM STYNES’ recovery from cancer suffered a setback after the discovery of another tumour over the weekend.

HOT on the heels of the heroics of Sean Óg and Aisake for the Cork hurlers last weekend, the Australian arm of the O hAilpín sporting dynasty continues to make headlines in the AFL.

A SENIOR member of AFL side Collingwood has dismissed suggestions that Down’s Martin Clarke is set for a quick return to Australia.

MARTIN CLARKE yesterday reaffirmed his loyalty to Down’s championship campaign while also leaving the door open for a possible return to the AFL in years to come.

DOWN football boss James McCartan has admitted it’s likely Aussie Rules side Collingwood will try to lure Marty Clarke back to Australia.