It’s not just a jersey they hand you, but one with a number, and often that number counts.

3/5

There will be a sense in Kilkenny that order has been restored after they claimed the largest share of this year’s GAA-GPA Opel hurling All Stars with seven accolades.

While enjoying another successful week in Royal Ascot, Aidan O’Brien doubled-up with Jacobean and Loved, both ridden by Seamus Heffernan, in Limerick last night.

If there was a moment that summed up the inherent ambition of Tipperary’s bright young stable of football stars it came, ironically, in Killarney two years ago.

John Gosden would be “concerned” for Jack Hobbs if the ground at Epsom continues to quicken in the build-up to the Investec Derby on Saturday.

Ballincollig’s Patrick Kelly and Daniel Kearney of Sarsfields were the big winners at last night’s Reardens Cork GAA club All Star awards.

Galway 0-28 Dublin 1-12

The American author Mark Lawrence once said “anything that you cannot sacrifice, pins you”.

Clare have crowned their All-Ireland title with an impressive haul of eight All Stars - three backs and a trio of forwards as well as the two midfielders.

Stephen Stack searched for solace amid the debris of a 16-point defeat.

In a fascinating climax to the group stages of the Waterford SHC, three-time winners Lismore and 2012 runners-up Dungarvan were the major casualties as Tallow, Ballygunner and Abbeyside all pressed on to the quarter-finals.

Mullahoran’s defence of the Cavan SFC looks to be on shaky ground after they suffered a 0-11 to 1-11 defeat at Kingspan/Breffni Park to in-form Ramor United.

Conor Gormley has been cleared to play for Tyrone in their All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Mayo on Sunday week, August 25.

It was the early hours of the morning at the GAA All Stars in the Convention Centre in Dublin last October and Anthony Cunningham was rounding up his passenger for the trip home when someone said hello and shook hands with him.

It’s quite a Kerry team ahead of the Allianz League opener against All-Ireland finalists Mayo in Castlebar.

Cork enjoyed a memorable end to a memorable ladies football season at Saturday night’s TG4/O’Neill’s All Star Awards.

So many accomplished players have passed through the Donegal Boston ranks during the club’s first 25 years that the summer of a young Jim McGuinness doesn’t stand out as much as you’d think.

Kingscourt Stars1-8 Mullahoran 1-8

It’s official now — August 5, 2012 will be remembered as the day the music died for this once great Kerry team.

When a team concedes 3-18 in a senior inter-county Gaelic football match at this stage of the season, questions have to be asked.

Will Galway bate Mayo?

The most prolific winners of the Galway SFC, Tuam Stars, blasted their way past Killanin and into the third round of the 2012 campaign in Pearse Stadium yesterday.

Galway football manager Alan Mulholland received another boost as both Padraic Joyce and Michael Meehan showed great form and kicked their clubs into the third round of the county SFC.

Hurricane Fly features among just six remaining entries for Sunday’s BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

KILKENNY’S eight-time All-Ireland winner Eddie Brennan has retired from inter-county hurling.

IF we keep in-form Willie Mullins on our side this weekend then there is surely a fair chance of showing a profit!

CHAMPION hurdler Hurricane Fly leads the entries for the Grade 1 Ladbrokes.com Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on November 20.

TUAM STARS, the most prolific winners of the Galway SFC but without a win since 1984, reached their first final since 1995 after ousting favourites Salthill/Knocknacarra in this replay at Tuam Stadium yesterday.

Reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny have secured eight places on the 2011 GAA GPA Hurling All-Stars team.

BEING asked to select the All Stars for the season, the day before the All-Ireland final is a dangerous business.

ULSTER San Francisco club chairman Joe Duffy yesterday criticised the 96-week suspension handed down to Patrick Power for his assault of Mark Mc Govern in June.

ALEX FERGUSON doubts whether he will sign any more players before Manchester United face their “noisy neighbours” in the Community Shield at Wembley next month.

BACHELOR Affair made all under Tommy Treacy to record a popular local success in the featured Jack Duggan Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park yesterday.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed how mentoring the next generation of cue stars has reminded him why he fell in love with snooker in the first place.

SHANE O’NEILL was last night named as the new Cork senior hurling captain for the coming season with manager Denis Walsh describing him as the ‘ideal choice’ for the position.

SOME of Seán Óg O hAilpín’s contemporaries during his 14 years as a senior hurler for Cork have spoken of their surprise that he is no longer required by the Rebels boss Denis Walsh.

Six players who helped Tipperary end their wait for the All-Ireland SHC title have been included in the GAA Hurling All-Stars team, sponsored by Vodafone.

I HAVE it from a reliable source that the poor Pope in the Vatican was in very bad humour yesterday morning.

LIAM SHEEDY insists work commitments were the sole reason for his decision to step down as Tipperary manager last week and has expressed his ‘huge disappointment’ at the rumours circulating since his departure.

RIP VAN WINKLE gatecrashed the sponsor’s party as he stole the Juddmonte International at York yesterday from under the noses of Twice Over and Byword.