Monaghan brought the Carlow odyssey to an end, but only after a mighty scare at Netwatch Cullen Park, where the Ulster men finished strongly for a flattering five points Qualifier win.

Monaghan and Carlow have booked their places in round three of the All-Ireland Football Qualifiers.

A Championship opener at Dr Cullen Park may not have been one for the purists to salivate over, but the intrigue was constant and the reward for Carlow far greater than the immediacy of a Leinster quarter-final date with Dublin. That may be daunting, but it can wait, writes John Divilly.

A collaborative project between Limerick City and County Council, Gardaí and the FAI has overseen a drop-in Futsal League at the Southside Youth Space in Galvone, Limerick city.

Funeral arrangements are being prepared for devoted teenage sweethearts Gary Kelly and Delia Keary after they both lost their lives following a head-on road collision, last Friday.

Rockwell 5 Crescent 21: Holders Crescent remain on course for another crack at the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Junior Cup after beating Rockwell 21-5 in yesterday’s quarter-final at Clanwilliam Park, Tipperary.

When Roy Hodgson was asked recently to contrast the centre-halves England have brought to France (John Stones, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling) with the choice Sven-Goran Eriksson had at World Cup in 2006 (Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher and John Terry), he couldn’t quite bring himself to dispute the gulf in quality.

If the hairdryer has to be administered at half-time in the Aviva tonight, it’s tempting to assume it will come courtesy of Roy Keane.

Backs to the wall — that’s the popular consensus on where stands the Irish football team as a depleted line-up prepares to face world champions Germany at the Aviva Stadium tonight.

Bryan McCrystal has shown himself a talent on two wheels and as a triathlete in recent years, but it was on the soccer pitch that the Dundalk man first created shockwaves. Ahead of the Rás, he spoke to Brian Canty.

Andy Townsend might struggle to remember Ireland’s 3-3 draw away to Poland in 1991 – the last competitive meeting between the two countries – but it’s a game which is lodged firmly in your humble correspondent’s memory banks.

Steven Gerrard’s forthcoming move to LA Galaxy means he will fail to join an illustrious band of professional footballers who have spent their entire senior careers at one club.

Carlow 0-14 Westmeath 1-09

Antrim made it back-to-back wins in the Leinster SHC qualifier group as they defeated Carlow at Dr Cullen Park.

Dublin City University 4-15 NUI Galway 0-11

Robbie Keane says joining Everton would be the right move for Aiden McGeady.

Robbie Keane took a trip down memory lane at the weekend but his focus is firmly set on the future.

Mount Leinster Rangers (Carlow) 1-15 Castletown-Geoghegan (Westmeath) 1-13

As revealed by Keith Andrews in his column in this newspaper on Saturday, the Bolton Wanderers midfielder is among a group of current and former Irish internationals who are back in Dublin this week taking their first formal steps on a road that could lead to a career in management.

Galway 1-17 Roscommon 2-11

An army sergeant who was found with child pornography images “buried” in the memory of his computer has being acquitted by direction of a judge.

Kilcormac/Killoughey 2-16 St Rynagh’s 2-12

Sarsfields prevailed in a closely-fought Cork Club SHC final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this afternoon, beating Bishopstown 1-15 to 1-13 to take the title for the third time in five years.

A 22-year-old Limerick man shot in his head two years ago has said he will never be able to lead an independent life due to his injuries.

Mervue United continued their recent fine form at Ferrycarrig Park last night.

Diarmuid Murtagh was the hero for champions Roscommon as they booked a place in the Connacht minor football championship final.

Jason Lyons’ strike 13 minutes from time earned a point for SD Galway in their local derby against Mervue United at Terryland Park.

It is a continuing conceit of the human condition that allows us believe we are regularly blazing trails.

Jason McAteer has revealed how Stephen Cluxton left him nursing another headache after last year’s All-Ireland SFC final.

IT is 1998, the summer is on its way, and Mickey Ward is about to play for Mid-Ulster in the opening game of the Milk Cup.

Galway United v Monaghan United

Monaghan United entertain Galway United in tonight’s Airtricity League promotion/relegation play-off first leg at Gortakeegan, kick-off 7.45pm.

Galway United and Bray Wanderers go head to head in tonight’s Airtricity League Premier Division clash at Terryland Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

GALWAY UNITED registered their first point since April, but manager Sean Connor is still on the verge of leaving Terryland.

FOUR-time All-Ireland club champions Birr served notice of their intent when overwhelming reigning kingpins Coolderry by 1-16 to 0-10 in a one-sided fourth round encounter at Shinrone on Saturday.

UCD all but secured their Premier Division status when edging out basement side Galway United at Terryland Park last night.

THREE goals in as many minutes either side of half time ensured Dundalk ran out comfortable winners over crisis club Galway United at Oriel Park last night.

Dundalk 6 Galway United 1

Galway United entertain Drogheda United tonight in this bottom-of-the-table clash at Terryland Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

SIX charges against former Ireland international soccer player Gary Kelly were struck out at Drogheda district court yesterday after the judge was told by the alleged victims they did not want to proceed with their complaints.

FORMER Ireland international soccer player Gary Kelly appeared before Drogheda District Court yesterday to face charges of trespass with intent to commit criminal damage.