Enda Muldoon (Derry, 2003)

Heroic Championship displays aren’t all about getting off to a good start; often they’re about getting over a bad one

Armagh goalkeeper Paul Hearty had decided to call time on his inter-county football career, becoming the second member of the county's 2002 All-Ireland title-winning squad to retire in the past week.

And then there was just one — if Ronan Clarke gets back at all.

The way he has Crossmaglen Rangers playing should surprise no one who has ever known him.

BENNY TIERNEY agrees. There might be something in the Mullaghbawn water. Kieran McGeeney a manager, Justin McNulty a manager, Margaret Byrne being named the chief executive of Sunderland AFC this week.

IT wasn’t so long ago that Joe Kernan and Benny Tierney were disagreeing about what, if any, benefits winning Ulster had for Armagh in the grand scheme of an All-Ireland championship.

The GAA's National Coaching Conference at Croke Park and another GAA Conference in Donegal have fallen victim to the bad weather.

THE saga involving Manchester United contract negotiations with Wayne Rooney highlights why the GAA should always retain its amateur status according to Armagh legend Benny Tierney.

ROB KELLY has emerged as a late contender to play a part in Kildare’s All-Ireland semi-final against Down at the weekend and is a “live option” for the Lilywhites.

CORK footballers have been dismissed as “over-hyped, ineffective and hugely disappointing” but are still one of 10 teams who could win the All-Ireland this year.

KIERAN McGEENEY has been tipped to be a future Armagh manager – but not before he is a success with Kildare.

MOST of them are only players in our minds now. On DVDs, decaying VHS tapes and in old photos.

KERRY may need a Plan B or even Plan C to win Sunday’s All-Ireland final. B might be Brosnan.

FORMER Armagh keeper Benny Tierney believes the winners of Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final will face a different Kerry in the final.

GOALKEEPERS are different. Think Shane Curran or Damien Fitzhenry, two of the leading characters in this year’s championship, guys who dance to a different beat but stir the passions of the masses by sheer force of will.

Gaelic Players Association chief Dessie Farrell has reported phenomenal interest in the players' group in recent times.

ALL-IRELAND champions Tyrone and runners-up Armagh dominate the list of nominations for the 2003 Vodafone GAA Allstar awards in football.

OF the many reasons to admire Armagh’s revival this summer, one is often overlooked. Way back in May when the All-Ireland champions made the stuttering start to their title defence in Clones, there were two new faces among their last four players on the field.

DESPITE the historic blow struck by Micko for Laois, the most ominous championship soundings last weekend came at Roscommon. It wasn’t so much how Armagh dissected Limerick dreams, rather the ruthless manner and the awesome defensive display which earmarked the defending All-Ireland champions as the team to avoid in the quarter-finals.

Jim O’Sullivan finds cool-headed Joe Kernan isn’t getting carried away with last weekend’s success against the Dubs

NIALL GEARY’S patience has finally paid off.

2002 Allstars 13-18

Six more players have been called up to the All-Stars football tour.

AUSTRALIAN Brad Scott has been banned from next year’s International Rules Series, after being found guilty of punching Meath’s Graham Geraghty in last October’s tour decider at Croke Park

Armagh manager Joe Kernan has confirmed that All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Benny Tierney will act as a coach in the upcoming season, but there are doubts about is future as keeper.

Armagh 4-12 Louth 4-15

THE mass exodus of Armagh supporters onto Croke Park after the Orchard county’s breakthrough victory in Sunday’s All-Ireland football final was allowed for safety reasons and doesn’t represent a change of policy on behalf of the GAA.

Jubliant Armagh goalkeeper Benny Tierney has refused to confirm he's set to retire from inter-county football following their All-Ireland final win.

BENNY TIERNEY may have discarded the goalkeeper’s mini-rainbow jersey but he remains one of the game’s most colourful characters.

THE exams might be over but Benny Tierney and Liam Hassett are still hoping for results.

Armagh 1-14 Dublin 1-13

THEY will start arriving down today, the tangerine army who have spent the last four years believing their team is the best in the country.