ONE league closes and another one opens. As the men of the Airtricity League prepare to leave the stage for another season, enter the women of the Bus Éireann National League.

IT’S an astonishing statement to make but Kevin Nolan delivers it so nonchalantly that it almost loses its colour.

IF Cork sharpshooter Patrick Horgan is to be believed, the Offaly hurlers’ off-field problems isn’t getting much airplay in one corner of the country.

AN OLD foe will come back to haunt Ireland in Skopje tonight if Macedonian coach Mirsad Jonuz and his bosses at the Macedonian FA get their way.

MUNSTER return to Thomond Park tonight seeking redemption for their European exit of six days ago, according to full-back Felix Jones.

DAMIEN DUFF was flying and Richard Dunne was even firing shots on goal at Gannon Park yesterday but, even with good vibes and gorgeous sunshine abounding, it just wouldn’t be an Irish training session without fresh injury worries.

NEMO Rangers forward Barry O’Driscoll has been ruled out of Sunday’s Munster club football final against Dr Crokes in the Gaelic Grounds (2pm).