Despite suffering a heavy defeat to Six Nations holders England at Castle Park, Doncaster, captain Ciara Griffin insists the Ireland women’s team are closing the gap to the Red Roses.

A brilliant and dogged Laois display saw them qualify for a second successive Leinster U-20 final as they overcame Kildare in Portlaoise.

Dublin hurlers, having led by two points at half time, took second control of this NHL Division lB third round tie at Netwatch Cullen Park, Mattie Kenny’s side outscoring hosts Carlow by 0-14 to 0-5 in that second period.

Ireland women’s head coach Adam Griggs sang the praises of Galway teenager Beibhinn Parsons after his side went top of the Women’s Six Nations table with a bonus-point triumph over Wales at Donnybrook yesterday.

Christians advanced to the semi-finals of the Clayton Hotel Munster Schools Junior Cup with a comprehensive victory over St Munchin’s at Musgrave Park.

Two goals within the opening three minutes of the second-half proved decisive as Dublin eased to victory over a disappointing Laois at Parnell Park.

The yawning chasm in class between these neighbours was fully in evidence as Kilkenny thrashed Colm Bonnar’s by 21 points in a NHL Division 1B mismatch before an attendance of 3,000.

Dublin this evening extended their unbeaten run against Mayo to 16 games.

There are six changes to the Cork side for this evening’s Allianz HL Division 1 Group A clash with Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7pm).

Cork showed that they are in fine shape to defend their U20 All-Ireland title after they defeated Kildare in the John Kerins Cup final.

In a historic day at Páirc Ui Chaoimh the Cork ladies footballers got the defence of their Lidl Ladies National Football League title off to a winning start.

Longford boss Padraic Davis has challenged those who question the need for pre-season competitions in an already crowded GAA calendar.

Wing-back Paudie Foley was the hero for Wexford as he landed a point in the fourth minute of injury-time to capture the Walsh Cup at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.

UCC stuttered at times but Tom Kingston’s side got their Fitzgibbon Cup defence off to a winning start with this Group C win over NUI Galway at Dangan.

The Mike Quirke era of Laois football began with a defeat in the opening round of the O’Byrne Cup against neighbours Offaly on Saturday.

Leinster were relieved to leave Lyon with their winning record intact in the European Champions Cup after a nervous end to their win in Stade Matmut de Gerland.

Ardscoil Rís are up and running in the Dr Harty Cup following a comfortable victory over St Francis College in Mallow.

Munster were ruthless and clinical as they ended a two-year wait for a win at the Arms Park by putting Cardiff Blues to the sword to leave the Welsh capital with a priceless bonus-point.

Super-sub Colm O’Keeffe was the hero for Blackrock as his second-half goal ensured his side will play senior hurling for the first time since 1998 after this Limerick Premier IHC final replay win.

Blackrock will play senior hurling for the first time since 1998 after this Premier IHC final replay win.

A Garda whistleblower raised concerns about a colleague he accused of colluding with an Athlone heroin dealer having access to guns, The Disclosures Tribunal has heard.

Fr Mathews had to withstand a late Ambassador UCC Glanmire rally before securing maximum points in a highly entertaining Women’s Super League game at the Mardyke Arena tonight.

Mourneabbey are through to the Cork ladies SFC final after their win over St Val’s in Bishopstown on Saturday.

Tipperary secured an immediate return to the Senior ranks after Aisling McGuigan and Aisling McCarthy goals and eight points from the outstanding Aishling Moloney gave them a second TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate title in three years.

It was a first ever title for the Kingdom - who fielded players from the Clanmaurice club - the only senior club in the county.

Katie Mullan’s 58th-minute winner secured fifth place for Ireland from the women’s EuroHockey Championships in Belgium as they beat Russia 3-2.

Róisín Leonard came up with the winning free for Galway as they booked their place in the TG4 All-Ireland Championship senior final for the first time since 2005 with victory over Mayo at Croke Park.

After a shaky opening, Dancer reverted to a high press and it paid instant dividends. Diminutive defender Beth Barr continued her hot streak in front of goal with an 11th minute tap in from McCay’s powerful cross for 1-0.

Macroom progressed to the next round of the Cork Premier Intermediate Football Championship following a captivating encounter with St Vincent’s.

Monaghan secured their precious Senior status with a convincing victory over Westmeath in the TG4 All-Ireland SFC Relegation Play-off Final in Dunleer.

Galway produced a performance of real steel to match their talent to return to the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Final for the first time in four years.

Cavan secured their place in the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship again next year with a decisive win against Westmeath this afternoon, while the Lake County ladies now face a winner-takes-all Relegation Final with Monaghan next weekend.

Captain Conor Corbett led the destruction of Mayo with 2-3 at Croke Park as Cork cruised through to the Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor football final.

Goals in each half from Maria Reilly and Sarah Rowe, combined with a driving performance from the back by Danielle Caldwell helped Mayo book their place in the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final with victory over Armagh.

GALWAY qualified for the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Semi-Final, having survived the severest of stress tests from a vibrant Waterford at Semple Stadium.

Armagh held off a powerful final quarter surge by comeback specialists Cork to earn a precious victory in Group 1 of the TG4 All-Ireland SFC at O’Connor Park in Tullamore.

Galway came from behind at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise to secure a hard-earned victory over Kerry in Group Three of the TG4 All-Ireland SFC.

Wexford needed a Jamie Myler penalty deep into additional time to withstand a brave comeback from Louth to advance to a semi-final against Dublin.

Goals from Michael Doran and Dan McCormack ultimately separated Laois from Westmeath in a gripping tie in Mullingar last night.

Dublin claimed their eighth TG4 Leinster senior title in a row, but the scoreline doesn’t do justice to Westmeath who only fell out of contention thanks to late goals from Niamh McEvoy and Nicole Owens at netwatch Cullen Park.

Galway advanced to the Connacht final with a facile win over Leitrim in Tuam.

The lawyer for a teenage boy, accused of the murder and aggravated sexual assault of Anastasia Kriegel, has asked the jury to consider if there is any “real evidence” that his client had planned “any of this at all”.

TG4 Ulster champions Donegal have made three changes to the side beaten by Galway in the Lidl NFL Division 1 semi-final for their championship opener against Tyrone tomorrow.

The father of one of the boys accused of murdering Anastasia Kriegel said his son "is not capable of doing anything like that" and said the boy lied to gardaí and his parents because he was afraid of his co-accused.