JOHN ROGERS stroked over an injury-time free to ensure that Des Newton’s competitive managerial debut in charge of his native Roscommon didn’t end in defeat at Ballyforan yesterday.

WATERFORD boss John Owens heaped praise on his understrength team after stunning Tipperary in this McGrath Cup quarter-final at Walsh Park yesterday.

A POWERFUL second-half display from Tipperary against University of Limerick yesterday saw the Premier County book a McGrath Cup quarter-final date with Waterford next Sunday.

ULSTER scored 15 points in a four-minute spell midway through the second half to end a run of seven straight defeats at the hands of Cardiff Blues.

JOHN MISKELLA has been recalled by Cork for tomorrow’s All-Ireland second round football qualifier against Cavan in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

IT mattered little to the Tipperary management that they secured their first victory in the National Football League yesterday in Semple Stadium by beating a Meath side which performed well below the standard normally expected from the Royals.

THE Kerry management are confident of having their goal-keeping position resolved before the end of the Allianz NFL, with coach Jack O’Connor indicating after yesterday’s game in Fitzgerald Stadium that they are unlikely to “spread the net” beyond the three players who have filled the position so far in the McGrath Cup following Diarmuid Murphy’s retirement.

DAVY FITZGERALD says he and his Waterford hurlers offered to go half-way to meet opponents Antrim in Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier.

EXTREMELY poor finishing cost Limerick dearly in Semple Stadium yesterday evening in this Munster minor football semi-final.

WITHOUT ever having to move into top gear, Tipperary dismissed Waterford’s feeble challenge and advanced to the semi-final of the Munster minor football championship at windswept Fraher Field, Dungarvan, last night.

Newport Gwent Dragons 8 Munster 24

THE Munster management are concerned over the whereabouts of Brian Lima after their recent big name signing for the concluding stages of the Celtic League and Heineken Cup failed to turn up this week.

THE sense of relief in the Munster camp last night was palpable after it was confirmed Ronan O’Gara’s ankle injury was not as serious as first feared and that he would definitely be fit to line out against Stade Français in the Heineken Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park on Saturday week.

Thurles CBS 0-14 St Flannans 0-11

Athea 2-12 Claughaun 2-3

Connacht 30 Pontypridd 35

NEW MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney has no major injury worries other than long term injuries ahead of his side’s Celtic League opener against Llanelli on Saturday.