CLARE’S All-Ireland U-21 winning manager John Minogue claims some of the gloss has been taken off a landmark season because of the bitter dispute that led to Mike McNamara’s resignation as senior boss.

DUBLIN senior hurling manager Anthony Daly has hailed the imminent appointment of Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin in his native Clare.

Republic of Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli has admitted a final decision on Paul McShane's fitness will be taken tomorrow.

Sean McCaffrey admitted he was frustrated not to be able to hand the Republic of Ireland Under-21s side back to Don Givens with a first UEFA Championships win under their belts.

REPUBLIC of Ireland U-21 manager Don Givens has told his players they could be just one game away from a senior call-up if they put on a show against Portugal in their opening European Championship qualifier at Turner’s Cross tomorrow night (ko 7.30pm).

Laois midfielder Brendan Quigley looks set to be available to play for the O'Moore county in this Saturday's Leinster Under-21 football final against Offaly in Portlaoise.

Republic of Ireland Under-21s manager Don Givens was today left contemplating a daunting qualifying task to reach the European Championship finals in 2009.

REPUBLIC of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens has made four changes to his squad for the double fixture against Azerbaijan next week.

THE controversy surrounding the Laois U-21 footballers was finally resolved last night with confirmation that all of the players who travelled to Kerry with the seniors last weekend will, after all, be on the panel for Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final against Cork.

CORK CITY could make a couple of changes from the side which drew in Portadown when they take on Drogheda United in the Setanta Cup at Turner’s Cross tonight (8pm).

Cork Constitution 41 Belfast Harlequins 13

WHEN Mayo took to the field for their Connacht semi-final against Roscommon at the end of May they were only half the team that had lost to Kerry eight months earlier.

Mark Gallagher

KERRY GAA chiefs face a battle to replace Páidí Ó Sé as the county’s football manager after a three minute phone conversation on Thursday night that went disastrously awry.

GAA president Sean Kelly supports the idea of reducing ticket prices for next Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC replay between Cork and Wexford.

IRELAND's U-21s retain an outside chance of winning the Six Nations Championship, but they must hammer England into total submission at Ravenhill this evening and hope Grand Slam chasers Wales come a cropper in France.