All-Ireland winning Down boss Pete McGrath believes the GAA erred badly by not taking full advantage of Joe Lennon’s remarkable mind.

Down 3-16 Derry 1-17

Benny Coulter has claimed Down need Dan Gordon back to resolve their midfield problems if they are to challenge for an Ulster title.

Down 6-16 Fermanagh 1-10

Down 6-16 Fermanagh 1-10

Down and Derry comfortably booked an Ulster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final date against each other, following today’s opening games.

Allianz HL Div 2B, 3A and 3B

Chairman Michael Meaney has revealed Carlow GAA chiefs recouped a measly €70 from last month’s Allianz Hurling League Division 2A fixture against Down at Dr Cullen Park.

As Down prepare themselves for a second Championship battle with Derry in five weeks, Benny Coulter has slammed Pat Spillane’s criticism of his team following their Ulster semi-final defeat by Donegal.

Down 2-6 Armagh 0-11

Kildare and Longford advanced to a Leinster final, while Donegal, Derry, Down and Cavan won through to the Ulster semi-finals in the Cadbury Under-21 Football Championship today.

Bord na Mona Kehoe Shield Final

Dublin and Kildare took Bord na Móna Walsh and Kehoe Cup hurling honours respectively this afternoon.

Tipperary’s senior footballers know they face an ongoing battle to win over the sceptics in a traditional hurling county.

Down and Wicklow booked Christy Ring Cup semi-final berths, while Derry and London, and Meath and Kildare will contest quarter-final ties next weekend.

Meath overturned an 11-point half-time deficit to beat London by a point, while there were wins also for Derry, Down and Wicklow in the Christy Ring Cup's opening round this weekend.

Bryansford were crowned Blue September Kilmacud Sevens champions for the first time since 1994 at Glenalbyn this evening.

LAST year’s defeated All-Ireland finalists Down may have been the hottest of favourites coming into Ennis on Saturday against a Clare team hammered by Cork in the Munster championship.

Kildare and Down booked their places in the Christy Ring Cup semi-finals following wins in today's quarter-final encounters.

Antrim secured a semi-final berth, while there were also wins for Tyrone, Down and Derry in the Dr McKenna Cup this afternoon.

TYRONE’S Dr McKenna Cup clash with Fermanagh is set to go ahead next Sunday at Brewster Park in Enniskillen after grieving Tyrone boss Mickey Harte gave his blessing for the match to take place.

Down manager James McCartan was typically honest and measured as he reflected on yesterday's 0-16 to 0-15 loss to Cork, which saw the Mourne County's unblemished record in All-Ireland SFC finals come to an end.

Down forward Benny Coulter had no hesitation in admitting he committed an infringement for his 13th-minute goal which provided to be a vital score as the Mourne County side booked their place in next month's All-Ireland SFC final.

Ambrose Rogers is a doubt for Down's All-Ireland SFC semi-final date with Kildare later this month after picking up a knee injury during a club match.

TIPPERARY boss John Evans admits his side drew one of the shorter straws in Pat Gilroy’s Dublin team in yesterday’s All-Ireland SFC qualifier draw.

WE’VE been here before.

Down are expected to be injury free for their Ulster SFC semi-final against Tyrone on Saturday, June 19, with midfielder Ambrose Rogers set to return to club action this week.

DOWN legend Paddy O’Rourke has stressed he will have no divided loyalties in his new role as Armagh manager.

THE trickle of young Irishmen ditching their nascent careers in the AFL for a return home is fast becoming a flood following yesterday’s confirmation that Down’s Martin Clarke has decided to join the exodus.

WITH the swine flu scares that rampaged through the Down squad two weeks ago having subsided, the Mourne County are finally able to play the last of the All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals, as they clash against Dublin in Kingspan Breffni Park this afternoon. Manager Mark Turley insists his squad are back to full health.

Down GAA County Board has confirmed that a number of its minor footballers are in quarantine after developing flu-like symptoms.

Down 1-10 Donegal 1-08

AFTER the trauma of last year’s All-Ireland minor final replay defeat, Mayo boss Ray Dempsey sets off on the 2009 campaign trail tomorrow in the Connacht MFC semi-final against Galway.

A BLISTERING start provided the platform for Down’s victory in Saturday’s Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 2 final against Tipperary.

Down 2-12 Tipperary 0-11

Ulster teams Down and Armagh bounced back from their provincial championship defeats to record victories against Meath and Waterford respectively in the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies senior football qualifiers on Sunday.

KERRY county board chairman Sean Walsh expressed hope that Jack O’Connor will remain as manager after their All-Ireland defeat to Tyrone.

REGULAR defender Mark Foley is named at full-forward on the Limerick team to meet Cork in Sunday’s Allianz NHL tie at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Tyrone take on Kerry in the All-Ireland minor football final in Croke Park today and the Kingdom, for once, go into an All-Ireland football final without the favourites tag firmly around their necks.

KERRY minor coach Sean Geaney and his selectors have kept faith with the team that ousted defending champions Laois for Sunday's All-Ireland final against Tyrone.

Down star Benny Coulter this afternoon praised the decision to allow the Mourne County a practice session at Croke Park last Saturday.

Down legend Pete McGrath has been confirmed as Ireland's new International Rules manager.

Down football manager Paddy O'Rourke has been ratified for another term as Mourne County manager as expected after leading them out of the dark ages to the Ulster final this year.