Defending champions Rathnew have booked their place in Wicklow’s SFC semi-finals following a three points win (2-15 to 3-9) in a five goal shoot-out with Blessington at Aughrim on Saturday.

A search has resumed for an experienced hillwalker who went missing in Co Mayo.

Ireland 116 Australia 37, Ireland win series on aggregate 173-72

BALTINGLASS set up another county final date with arch-rivals Rathnew following a five-point win over St Patrick’s at Aughrim on Saturday (1-10 to 1-5).

GIVEN its impoverished recent history, yesterday in the Gaelic Grounds was a momentous afternoon for Clare football.

Portlaoise 1-9 Garrycastle 1-5

AN infusion of fresh blood is the key to Portlaoise’s progression to another Leinster final.

HE was once on the books of Glasgow Celtic, but, on this display, Paul Cahillane is sure to come to the attention of Laois boss, Seán Dempsey.

Portlaoise (Laois) 1-9 Clara (Offaly) 0-3

THIS was no thriller but Portlaoise won’t care. Yesterday was all about the numbers – a sixth county title and their first three-in-a-row since 1987.

AT least six children were treated for hypothermia during the annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick yesterday.

At least six children were treated for hypothermia today during the annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick.

A case of mistaken identity which sparked a “riot” in a Tallaght housing estate has lead to prison terms and suspended sentences being imposed on a group of young men.

THE Carphone Warehouse has partnered with Pulse IT to oversee all the IT requirements for the Carphone Warehouse Ireland.

OLLIE BAKER will return to the inter-county hurling scene in 2006, as a selector with Westmeath.

OPERATING profits at the family-owned Sam McCauley Chemists chain rose by more than a third in 2004 to just over €2 million.

Portlaoise 0-8 Crossmaglen 0-7

READING the papers these days, you could be forgiven for thinking that dual players are almost an extinct species in the GAA. That may be true at inter-county level, but the same can’t be said for the club scene.

Laois will show exactly what they are made of today when they face All-Ireland champions Tyrone in their third consecutive weekend of championship action.

ALL-IRELAND hurling champions Kilkenny are taking a leaf out of Clare's book and will not finalise their team for Saturday's quarter-final replay at Semple Stadium, Thurles until just before the start.

JUST as well Laois manager Mick O’Dwyer is a pragmatist. And that he enjoys golf!

Laois and Westmeath meet again today to decide this year's Leinster final at Croke Park, after a stalemate last week ensured a replay.

LAOIS captain Chris Conway has been ruled out of today’s Leinster SFC final replay against Westmeath.

Laois have made two changes and a number of positional switches from the side that drew with Westmeath for Saturday's Leinster SFC final replay at Croke Park.

LAOIS have axed full-back Colm Byrne and right-corner forward Ian Fitzgerald for their Leinster SFC final replay with Westmeath at Croke Park on Saturday.

‘COME on Tyrone, come on Tyrone’, one supporter roared in a northern accent as Mick O’Dwyer disappeared down the Hogan Stand tunnel shortly after yesterday’s absorbing Leinster final draw.

YESTERDAY morning on radio, Mick O'Dwyer jokingly quipped that he was beginning to wonder if Laois would ever win another game.

Laois football boss Mick O'Dwyer has opted to hand three players who missed a county traning session a second chance.

Laois football boss Mick O'Dwyer has shown his mean streak by axing three players from his panel for missing training.

LAOIS’ hopes of retaining the Leinster SFC title this summer could be hit by the news that Allstar goalkeeper Fergal Byron is considering dropping himself off the panel for personal reasons.

MICK O’Dwyer steered Kildare to a league final appearance in 1991 in his first season in charge just as he did with Laois earlier this year.

Laois 0-16

SEAN CAVANAGH believes he may be the solution to Tyrone’s midfield problems.

NIALL GEARY’S patience has finally paid off.

Wexford maintained their outside chance of gaining a semi-final spot with a resounding 22-point victory over a depleted Derry side in their Allianz Div 1B national hurling league game at Enniscorthy.