Footballer Michael Murphy showed, on his television appearance on ‘The Toughest Trade’, that he possesses the attitude of a full-time sportsman. On Saturday, his manager with Donegal praised that mindset.

Colm Collins blamed a frozen pitch in Páirc Esler for the horrific ankle injury sustained by Dermot Coughlan, while Kieran McGeeney was unhappy three key decisions went against Armagh in an action-packed Division Two draw in Newry.

Kieran McGeeney had to settle for a draw on his first return to Kildare as an opposing manager after Jimmy Hyland earned the home team a share of the spoils with the last kick of the game.

The game was played without the controversial hand-pass rule which had just hours earlier been ditched by Central Council, and Sunday’s FBD Connacht League final between Galway and Roscommon at Tuam will also be played without the ill-fated regulation.

Dr McKenna Cup semi-final Armagh 0-14 Donegal 1-10

Fermanagh 0-12 Armagh 0-7: Where to now for Armagh and the five-year revolution under Kieran McGeeney after this limp, uninspiring, and naive performance, during which they went an entire hour without scoring from play?

Armagh 1-11 Longford 1-10: This was the ultimate smash and grab operation.

A Jamie Clarke goal in the 70th minute propelled Armagh into the fourth round of the qualifiers, writes Eoghan Cormican

Down scored a first Championship win over Armagh in 25 years, but they won’t be making any bold forecasts of a major breakthrough following this unconvincing success against a misfiring opponent.

Laois 1-11 Armagh 1-10: In the end, like most recounts in a general election, there was no change.

Laois came out on top a real dogfight at O’Moore Park and advance to the second round of All-Ireland qualifiers, while Armagh’s disappointing season is over.

Armagh 1-18 Derry 0-15: Armagh went down, but not without a fight, and Kieran McGeeney took the positives from a difficult spring despite the team’s relegation from Division 2 for the second time in three seasons.

Monaghan are through to a first Ulster U21 FC final since 2007 after a comfortable semi-final win over Armagh in Newry last night.

Tyrone 0-13 Armagh 1-10: A precious point plundered in the dying embers of a dramatic Ulster derby could prove the salvation of struggling Armagh.

Cavan 2-8 Armagh 0-11: Any lingering notion that the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup is nothing more than a gentle preamble into the more serious business of the GAA season was emphatically kicked into touch in this turbulent, fractious encounter at Oliver Plunkett Park, Crossmaglen yesterday.

Crossmaglen Rgrs 2-22 Armagh Harps 0-10: There is simply no stopping Crossmaglen Rangers. 

Dublin advanced to the semi-finals of the All-Ireland MFC following a facile 11-point victory over Monaghan at Páirc Esler, Newry last night.

Tyrone were crowned Ulster minor football champions for the 23rd time, following a composed and assured performance at Clones yesterday.

Monaghan finished with a flourish to book their place in the Ulster MFC final at the Athletic Grounds.

Monaghan turned on the style in the second half to book their place in the Ulster MFC semi-finals.

Monaghan 0-06 Wexford 0-08

TICKETS for tomorrow’s Bank of Ireland Ulster football championship final will be on sale in the Croke Park area today.

Vincent Corey and Eoin Lennon have both been included in the Monaghan line-up for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC second round qualifier against Wexford (Clones, throw-in 4.30pm).

Wicklow were hopelessly outclassed as three-goal Monaghan eased through to the second round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers at Clones.

Monaghan 0-10 Armagh 0-10

Monaghan manager Seamus McEneaney has made three changes to his side for Sunday's Ulster SFC quarter-final tussle with Armagh (Clones, throw-in 3.30pm).

MEATH introduce two newcomers, goalkeeper Brendan Murphy and right half-forward Peter Curran, for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Leinster SFC first round clash with neighbours Louth at Croke Park.

Tyrone 2-14 Monaghan 1-7

The temperatures may have gone down a few degrees in the past week but the heat will certainly be on for Derry, Laois, Monaghan and Tyrone today as they bid to make the last eight of this year's All-Ireland football championship.

Monaghan forward Rory Woods could be in line for his first start of the championship in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC fourth round qualifier against Tyrone.

Monaghan 0-17 Wexford 0-12

Monaghan 2-18 London 1-9

INSTEAD of a mere appetiser at Croke Park, we were served a veritable feast, with a twist in the tale that will rank alongside any of Croke Park’s surreal climaxes.

NIGEL CRAWFORD puts his roast beef bap down, takes off his overcoat and stretches his long legs under, in and around the tiny table in Searson’s pub on Dublin’s Baggot Street.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will use today's game against Antrim in Dungannon as a chance to experiment.

Monaghan take on St Mary's College and Donegal face off against All-Ireland semi-finalists Fermanagh in Section C of the Dr McKenna Cup today.

Two debutants feature in new Monaghan boss Seamus McEnaney's side ahead of Sunday's Dr McKenna Cup clash with St Mary's College.

Fermanagh 4-13 Monaghan 2-11