Finbarr Flood was a safe pair of hands on and off the pitch, writes Liam Mackey 

The moment that 11 Pike Rovers players emerge onto the Aviva Stadium turf this afternoon will mark a first in the careers of each and every one of them.

Leevale AC retained their women’s title at the Glohealth National Road Relays, in Dublin, yesterday, while hosts, Raheny, won the men’s race.

After a four-day series that delivered a full range of conditions, Howth Yacht Club’s Ross McDonald and the crew of Equinox won the Sovereigns Cup at Kinsale on Saturday.

With not a scintilla of embarrassment or prompting, Cian Lynch regales you with the story of what happened to him the time his uncle Ciaran Carey fired over one of hurling’s most iconic scores. 

Having bounced back to Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League, Garryowen aim to strengthen their squad for next season.

The financial problems for a Dublin city centre club and restaurant stemmed from its directors acquiring a company that had extensive debts, of which they were unaware, a judge stated yesterday.

Well, maybe...

From next month to September, 45 Championship games will be shown live on TV.

AIB ALL-IRELAND CLUB SFC SEMI-FINAL:

Castleknock 1-10 St Fintan’s 1-05

It seems that St Pat's fears have been realised ahead of their FAI Cup final against Derry City today as Barry Murphy has failed to make the game.

Bray Wanderers 1 Shamrock Rovers 3

Newcastle West finally reached their destination after 74 years of trying yesterday when they lifted the Pierce Purcell Shield at Kinsale Golf Club.

Pat Fenlon appears set to fill the managerial vacancy at Hibernian.

Hibernian appear set to appoint Pat Fenlon as manager after the Bohemians boss was given permission to speak to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club.

WHEN Cork City boss Tommy Dunne looks at tonight’s meeting with Limerick at Turner’s Cross (7.45pm), he sees not only an EA Sports Cup semi-final but also a contest which is part of a developing battle for southern bragging rights.

BOHEMIANS last night insisted that Pat Fenlon remained their manager despite claims he has agreed a deal to take over as Dundee United boss.

A well-known Dublin pub today hit out at a law preventing it selling cheaper pints to regular customers during the afternoon.

KILMACUD CROKES manager Paddy Carr has defended the All-Ireland club championships’ St Patrick’s Day slot.

The group set up by the drinks industry to promote responsible drinking has condemned breaches of its code of practice by a Co Dublin nightclub.

ST VINCENT’S completed a remarkable renaissance yesterday at Croke Park when they prevailed by a point in a compelling All-Ireland club final.

SEÁN CONNOR has been sacked as manager of Bohemians.

ST VINCENT'S (Dublin) 2-8 TYRRELLSPASS (Westmeath) 0-7, Cusack Park

THE all-Premier Division clash between Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers is the stand-out game from tonight’s FAI Ford Cup Second Round fixture list (Tolka Park, kick off 7.30pm).

Shelbourne chairman Ollie Byrne is promising to have a new manager in place at the Dublin club by the end of this week.

WHATEVER happens on the pitch, it’s guaranteed to be a late, late show at the Brandywell tonight when Derry City host Sligo Rovers in their FAI Carlsberg Cup semi-final replay.

TO find a mirror image of the excitement in Cork, head north to Derry where league fever has also gripped the city.

THE FAI Cup final may be moved from Tolka Park after consultations between Cork City, Drogheda United and the FAI suggested that the ground’s capacity of 9,500 would not be large enough to cater for the demand for tickets.

Having hosted the All-Ireland Hurling Sevens last weekend, Dublin club Kilmacud Crokes are already gearing up for Saturday week's football equivalent.

British lap-dancing club supremo Peter Stringfellow is reportedly planning to open an "up-market" lap-dancing club in Dublin.

CLONTARF powered to the top of the AIB League’s Division One with a great victory over Garryowen at Castle Avenue.

TAOISEACH BERTIE AHERN lauded the progress and development of ladies football when he launched the 2004 Suzuki NFL in Croke Park yesterday.

Longford Town will press ahead with High Court action against Bohemians unless the Dublin club agrees that its new manager, Stephen Kenny, takes no part in Saturday’s FAI Cup tie between the two sides.