Fergal Byron was a grown man of 21, and on the brink of a 10-year senior football career that would earn him a Leinster medal and an All-Star, when Laois first served notice of an upturn in fortunes with an All-Ireland minor title in 1996.

MINISTERS of State Sean Connick and Ciarán Cuffe have assumed a suite of new statutory powers and duties within the Department of Agriculture.

RECESSIONARY times everywhere, but the Munster Council yesterday announced the creation of 23 new full-time jobs in the province, with the appointment of Games Development Administrators (GDAs).