The Mike Quirke era of Laois football began with a defeat in the opening round of the O’Byrne Cup against neighbours Offaly on Saturday.

Na Gaeil sauntered into the Munster Club JFC football final against Mullinahone on December 8 as they outclassed Clare champions Michael Cusacks by 27 points at Austin Stack Park on Saturday.

Carbery Rangers will face champions St Finbarr’s in the Cork SFC third round following a pulsating victory over west Cork rivals Castlehaven in Skibbereen on Saturday night.

Champions Kerry made light work of a very defensive but outclassed Limerick side in this EirGrid Munster U-20 Football Championship semi-final at Austin Stack Park, Tralee last evening.

A Jack Downey 45 in the fourth minute of second-half stoppages handed victory to Limerick in this Munster U20 football quarter-final.

Cork and Kerry played out a thrilling John Kerins Cup U20 League draw in Clonakilty last night.

Cork and Kerry played out a thrilling John Kerins U20 Cup League draw in Clonakilty this evening.

Clare needed every one of their 20 scores to edge out a valiant Offaly side that refused to give in.

Tipperary will meet Waterford next Wednesday in the second round Munster MFC play-off after this extra-time win over Limerick in Newcastle West last night.

Clare 3-13 Limerick 2-9

Goalkeeper Diarmuid Doody is the only survivor from last year’s Munster U17 football competition as Cork begin their campaign in the new minor grade tonight against Waterford in Páirc Uí Rinn (throw-in 7pm).

Paul O’Shea from Kilcummin will captain the Kerry minor footballers as they begin their quest for a historic fifth consecutive All-Ireland minor crown.

Bandon 29 Newcastle West/Estuary 17: Bandon began a dream day for the club with a 29-17 victory over Newcastle West/Estuary in the Munster U16 Plate final at Thomond Park.

Derry manager Damian McErlain was a relieved man after his team finally got their Division 3 campaign up-and-running with a five-point victory over Offaly in Celtic Park yesterday.

Dublin 1-13 Offaly 0-16: Teenager Cian Johnson came of age at Parnell Park with a thrilling display and the equaliser to deny Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup holders Dublin.

Mayo's up and down summer continues as a determined second-half showing at Ennis progressed Stephen Rochford’s side into the fourth round of qualifiers.

Galway 3-13 Clare 1-11: It’s six years since Galway lost their top flight status and while they are now in the driving seat to make a return, manager Kevin Walsh is not getting too excited just yet.

Alan and Donncha O’Connor have committed to the Cork football squad for 2017, selector Eoin O’Neill has confirmed.

Beaufort 2-8 Milltown/Castlemaine 1-10: For the first time in 18 years, Beaufort claimed the Mid Kerry SFC title, repeating their 1998 success over the same opposition, at the same venue, JP O’Sullivan Park, Killorglin. 

Kerry footballer Aidan O’Mahony has yet to decide if he will continue with the Kingdom for a 15th campaign.

Clare made a little bit of history in Salthill this afternoon.

Clare only led once in this qualifier, but they hit the front when it mattered most, landing a winner as the game slipped into stoppage time to crown a great weekend for the Banner County.

Clare 2-17 Kildare 1-19: The joy was evident and there were plenty celebrations but perhaps the most notable aspect of this historic victory for Clare was the absence of delirium.

Clare produced a rousing finish to beat Kildare in a high-scoring Allianz Football League Division 3 final at Croke Park.

Kildare 0-22 Clare 1-14: Despite losing out to Kildare in a high-octane shootout, Clare will still join their conquerors in Division 2 next year.

Clare 1-20 Longford 1-9: Clare’s promotion aspirations are still on track after a merited 11-point win over visitors Longford at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday.

Offaly 0-15 Clare 1-11: Offaly added their name to the shortlist of Division 3 promotion candidates yesterday when they overcame the concession of a late Eoin Cleary goal to snatch the last score of an entertaining contest against Clare at O’Connor Park.

Fermanagh 0-9 Cavan 1-12: Cavan boss Terry Hyland lauded the strength of his panel as his side boosted their promotion hopes with a convincing victory over neighbours Fermanagh on Saturday night.

Limerick 0-11 Clare 1-14: When the sides met in last year’s National Football League, Limerick pulled themselves out of a four-game losing streak to kickstart an unlikely Division Three survival with a double-scores victory. Sadly for them, history did not repeat itself yesterday as they were brushed aside far more comprehensively by Clare than the final margin of six points suggests.