Suddenly the Carrickshock supporters took to singing.

The Phoenix Park Tunnel line is now open to commuters for the first time in more than a century, connecting stations between Kildare and Dublin.

The Phoenix Park rail tunnel reopens this morning for the first time in over a hundred years.

Intercity services, Dublin and Cork commuter services, and the Dart line may be the only rail routes to remain under radical options proposed to bring Irish Rail’s funding crisis to a halt.

Continued under-investment in Irish rail services threatens to impact on the safety and quality of services, Irish Rail’s CEO has warned.

The renovation of a 138-year-old railway tunnel under the Phoenix Park will allow commuters from Kildare travel directly into the heart of the Dublin by early next year.

Unions at Irish Rail have warned of possible industrial action by train drivers in the autumn amid anger over extra responsibilities they say are being heaped on them without any reward.

The head of Irish Rail has revealed plans to bring trains directly to Dublin Airport for the first time.

It’s all aboard the tourism train as Ireland is set to get its very own Orient Express.

A union at the heart of the Irish Rail strike which stopped services for 160,000 people last weekend has rejected a request from the boss of the company to call off action planned for next week and come back into talks.

The National Bus and Rail Union is rejecting a call from the chief executive of Irish Rail to call off their forthcoming strike days.

Ireland’s railways have ground to a halt today after workers followed through with strike action to shut the network.

The National Bus and Rail Union says it has had no contact from the new Transport Minister, Paschal Donohoe, about this weekend's rail strike.

Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, condemned the threatened industrial action at Irish Rail.

The CEO of Irish Rail is on holiday ahead of a nationwide strike starting on Sunday, it has emerged.

Irish Rail passengers are facing severe disruption to services in the coming weeks after the company said it was implementing a cost-savings plan without the agreement of two of its largest unions.

Iarnród Éireann has said it will press ahead with implementing €4.7m in cuts to its pay bill unless talks with unions next week yield an agreement.

Iarnród Éireann has said it will impose Labour Court approved pay cuts on staff if talks with unions fail to secure agreement.

Irish Rail has been criticised for awarding a €30m track maintenance contract to a company found responsible for a fatal train crash in Britain.

Carrickshock, captained by Offaly star, David Franks, claimed their first major title at senior hurling level in Kilkenny since their championship glory of 1951 when they won the senior league final at Nowlan Park yesterday.

Iarnród Éireann has announced a new CEO is to take over next year.

Both Cork and Offaly have made changes for Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC Phase II qualifier at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Offaly manager Ollie Baker has named an unchanged team to face Galway in Sunday's Leinster SHC semi-final in Portlaoise (throw-in 2pm).

Three months ago, Wexford came from nine points down to grab a sensational one-point Allianz League victory over Offaly thanks to a late goal from teenager Jack Guiney.

Anyone who went to Offaly’s clash with Wexford in Tullamore on Saturday to see good hurling, good individual displays or good team play would have been sorely let down.

Wexford manager Liam Dunne and his Offaly counterpart Ollie Baker have selected their teams for Saturday's Leinster SHC quarter-final at O'Connor Park (throw-in 7pm).

Offaly 0-19 Clare 2-14

Offaly manager Ollie Baker has named his side to face his native Clare in Sunday's Allianz Hurling League Division 1B encounter at O'Connor Park (throw-in 2.30pm).

Offaly 1-22 Antrim 1-17

Offaly 1-27 Laois 0-18

Rory Hanniffy and James Mulrooney will line out for Offaly against Cork in tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC first phase qualifier at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (throw-in 2.30pm).

SHANE DOOLEY’S 68th minute goal from a powerfully struck 20m free ensured that Offaly gained a draw with Clare in Saturday’s high- scoring challenge match to mark the official opening of Crinkill GAA grounds and also saw Gerry Quinn’s return to the Banner fold.

Defenders Maurice O'Brien and Oisin Gough will start for Dublin in tomorrow's Leinster SHC quarter-final against Offaly at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

Offaly manager Joe Dooley has announced his team for Sunday's Leinster SHC quarter-final against Dublin at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

CORK defender Ronan Curran will be given this week to prove his fitness for the clash with Tipperary in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship.

RECENTLY retired Offaly stalwart, Ger Oakley, has questioned Joe Dooley’s ability to oversee progress as manager of the Faithful County’s hurlers.

ANOTHER Kilkenny senior hurling title for O’Loughlin Gaels in summery Nowlan Park yesterday and a sweet win it was.

FAVOURITES Carrickshock survived the sternest of tests from Erin’s Own (Castlecomer) in the first of the semi finals of the Kilkenny SHC at Nowlan Park yesterday before emerging victorious by a two-point margin.

Derek Molloy has returned from injury ahead of Offaly's GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Phase 2 qualifier against Limerick at O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday (7pm).

FIRST Croke Park, now Portlaoise.

IT’S funny the things you overhear at matches.

Offaly hurling manager Joe Dooley has been forced to delay naming his starting line-up for Sunday's Leinster SHC semi-final against Galway, with a number of his players having sustained injuries in the past week.

OFFALY boss Joe Dooley is confident that Brendan Murphy and David Franks will be available for their Leinster SHC opener against Antrim on May 30 in Parnell Park as the duo battle to shake off back and hamstring injuries respectively.

Offaly manager Joe Dooley has named his team to face Waterford in Sunday's Allianz NHL Division 1 encounter at Walsh Park (throw-in 2.30pm).