It was a gamble John McEntee must have felt was worth taking when he took on the Clontibret job last year — but the scenario he wanted to avoid most has come to pass.

A defiant Conor McManus insists Ireland have more room for improvement in Saturday’s deciding test in Perth.

Cork’s greater balance in front of goal propelled them past Monaghan and into a first All-Ireland U21 final since 2013.

Ryan Price would appear to have put himself in pole position to be Cork’s starting goalkeeper for the championship after he was named in the side for tomorrow’s Allianz FL Division 1 clash with Kerry in Tralee (2pm).

On the basis of the announced team at least, Monaghan have chosen to leave well enough alone by naming the same 15 that started the Ulster final for tomorrow’s All-Ireland quarter-final against Tyrone.

Fear of losing has been replaced by air of expectation in Fermanagh, and Dom Corrigan says it makes a refreshing change.

Colin Walshe replaces Drew Wylie in the only change to the Monaghan side for Sunday’s Ulster SFC semi-final with Fermanagh in Kingspan Breffni Park (4pm). Walshe came on as a sub in the win over Cavan in the quarter-final, scoring a point.

Limerick hurling manager TJ Ryan has given three debuts for Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final clash with Clare in Semple Stadium (throw-in 4pm).

As expected, Cork have made wholesale changes for Sunday’s Division 1 semi-final against Donegal from the team that beat Derry last Sunday.

New Kerry captain Kieran Donaghy will make his first competitive start of the year in Sunday’s Allianz Football League Division 1 clash with Dublin in Fitzgerald Stadium (2pm).

Tommy Walsh will make his first start for Kerry since the 2009 All-Ireland SFC final when he lines out at midfield against Derry at Celtic Park on Sunday (2pm).

AIB ULSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINAL:

Slaughtneil and Omagh will meet in the Ulster Club SFC final on November 30, after both clubs reached the decider for the first time.

Paul Earley expects the Australians to try and make next month’s test in Perth an intimidating one for his players after Ireland’s last two series successes by considerable margins.

Monaghan 1-12 Tyrone 0-14

It might not be prioritised, but the National League is on the criteria for picking All Stars.

ALLIANZ FL DIVISION 2 FINAL:

Scotstown 2-16 Clontibret 0-07

10 teams are celebrating County Senior Football title wins this evening, after today's finals in Cork, Kildare, Galway, Westmeath, Monaghan, Offaly, Cavan, Tyrone, Carlow and Sligo.

A focused Clontibret booked their place in Sunday’s Monaghan SFC final at the expense of Monaghan Harps in an absorbing semi-final replay at Emyvale on Saturday (2-13 to 1-13).

The Monaghan SFC clicked into gear in earnest over the weekend with four games down for decision.

James Loughrey admits he tried to keep his decision to live in Cork as quiet as possible so as to avoid a repeat of the controversy that surrounded Seanie Johnston’s transfer saga from Cavan to Kildare.

Waterford veteran Tony Browne is hopeful of playing his first county hurling of the year in Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier clash with Westmeath in Cusack Park (5pm).

ARMAGH champions Crossmaglen Rangers dumped the reigning Ulster and All-Ireland champions, St. Gall’s, out of the running for successive titles with a brilliant 1-12 to 0-9 point win at Oliver Plunkett Park.

The provincial club Football Championships got underway in Ulster and Connacht today, while there was also plenty of county football final action across the country.

RORY GALLAGHER yesterday offered more compelling evidence to Fermanagh manager Malachy O’Rourke that he must receive a recall to the county squad.

St Gall’s 2-15 Clontibret 0-11

St. Gall's forward Conor McGourty is hoping to break his way back into the Antrim senior football set-up 'sooner rather than later', with an obvious eagerness to build on the progress made by the Saffrons in 2009.

The race to replace Crossmaglen as AIB Ulster Club Senior Football champions heated up this afternoon, with the four rescheduled quarter-finals taking place.

A LOT has changed in the last year.

Damien Freeman is to continue as captain of the Monaghan senior football team - it will be the fourth year that he has led the county side.

14-man Crossmaglen Rangers narrowly pulled through their quarter-final tie with Clontibret of Monaghan on a day of Senior Club Football Championship games that was dominated by action in Ulster.

ART McRORY’S resignation as Tyrone joint manager took a bizarre twist yesterday when it emerged that county board chiefs had forced his hand on stepping down.