Dean Rock spent much of his teenage years kicking goals for Catholic University School’s Junior and Senior Cup rugby teams but no-one had to look very far even then for evidence of his GAA background or signs as to his future sporting path.

As a man with little interest in previous results under his reign, the merest suggestion that Dublin hold a psychological edge over Kerry doesn’t wash with Jim Gavin.

The 1983 All-Ireland football final is famous for many things. The glut of sending-offs, the appalling weather, the ultimate success of the 12 apostles/dirty dozen.

Former Dublin footballer Barney Rock believes Brian Cuthbert’s Cork represent the greatest threat to the county’s double-double bid.

He’s his son, so it goes without saying Barney Rock feels Dean should be starting for Dublin on Sunday.

Joe Brolly was in Croke Park yesterday to launch the 14th annual All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge in aid of Opt For Life and local Waterford charities.

I remember it like it was yesterday.

Ballymun Kickhams and Sarsfields of Kildare will meet in the semi-finals of the AIB Leinster Club Senior Football Championship after posting wins this afternoon.

History appears to be extending a helping hand to Ballymun Kickhams as they return to the Leinster Club football championship though manager Paul Curran isn’t taking much notice.

Galway clubs paved the way for the Seniors tomorrow when taking four of the six All-Ireland Sevens/Elevens titles on offer this afternoon.

Two Meath forwards failed to convert penalties in the third round of the county SFC at the weekend but both of their sides gained victories to extend 100% winning records.

Spot the difference: “You only complain about the break if you get beaten in a quarter-final.

Oisín McConville used to go through a funk believing he’d missed the first free.

Two of Gaelic football’s greatest dead-ball experts fear the ground free-kick will become a thing of the past before the end of the decade.

THE current Dublin team have already eclipsed the achievements of the county’s great team of the ’70s, according to selector David Hickey.

HOLDERS Skryne failed to make it through to the last eight of the Meath SFC despite defeating already qualified Dunboyne by 0-13 to 0-7 at Navan’s Páirc Tailteann on Saturday evening.

SATURDAY

The draws for the All-Ireland SFC third and fourth round qualifiers were made at Croke Park this evening.

A DUBLIN club has defended its decision to send their U14s to Portugal before last weekend’s Féile tournament.

LAST year’s beaten finalists and champions in 2009, Seneschalstown, went down to a shock Meath SFC defeat at Rathkenny last evening, promoted Nobber beating them 2-12 to 0-14.

IT IS a unique occasion for the current Cork football squad to be preparing for a league showpiece against Dublin, yet their manager has plenty of tales of springtime collisions with capital forces with which to regale his players.

JUST for the record, the last train out of Dublin’s Heuston Station to Cork tonight is at nine o’clock.

WITH the roar that greeted Barney Rock’s equaliser ringing around Jones Road, Cork’s John Cleary recalls the scene.

Conal Keaney has confirmed he will concentrate solely on Gaelic football at inter-county level in 2010, ending speculation that the former dual player was about to switch back to hurling.

A statement this morning from the Leinster Council has confirmed that all eight of the 2010 O'Byrne Cup first round matches, which were due to take place over Saturday and Sunday, have been postponed.

JACK O’SHEA and Barney Rock shared many memories as central players in one of football’s greatest rivalries.

Dublin 0-06 Wicklow 0-09, Parnell Park

Cushendall were crowned the first provincial club champions of 2008 thanks to a 1-14 to 1-13 victory over Down champions Ballygalget in the Ulster club SHC final at Casement Park, on a day which saw 13 county finals around the country, and also action in the Ulster and Connacht provincial club championships.

ROBERT Dipierdomenico hasn’t changed much in two decades. He’s as broad across the shoulders as he was back in 1984, when he starred for Australia in Compromise Rules games against Ireland.

WE have been down this road before — many times in fact, since the beginning of the experiment in 1984.

THE GAA's link with Irish-based charity Self Help Development International could help up to a million people in Africa gain self-sufficiency in food production, it was pointed out at a press briefing in Croke Park yesterday.

IT’S that time of year again in Dublin where the natives rummage around the closet for the Arnott’s jerseys and blue and navy car accessories assault the eyes on every street. Even the Hill is back in commission this year.

GAA president Sean Kelly yesterday launched the 2005 FBD All-Ireland Golf Challenge at South County Golf Club, Brittas, Co Dublin.

THE fairytale summer of Westmeath and their manager Páidi Ó Sé is within 70 minutes of a Leinster SFC final.

COMPETITION for this year’s FBD All-Ireland GAA Club Golf Challenge, supported by the Irish Examiner, is sure to be red hot if the calibre of entries already received is anything to go by.

Mark Herbert from Kildare became a three time All-Ireland Champion when he won this year's MBNA Kick Fada.

The MBNA Kick Fada takes place this Saturday, September 14 from 1pm at St Thomas', Bray.