AMID the hype and the hope, a kernel of doubt lurks in the minds of some in Down.

IN DOWN, there is no escaping the past. Not this summer.

Peter Fitzpatrick will start for Down in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Kildare at Croke Park (throw-in 3.30pm), manning the midfield alongside Kalum King.

Down captain Ambrose Rogers looks set to miss his side's All-Ireland semi-final against Kildare on August 29, due to an injury picked up when playing his club recently.

THERE are certain things the people of Ballybofey have come to take for granted when the championship swings into town – gridlock, rising mercury and gut-wrenching defeats for the home team.

I FANCIED Down to win yesterday in Ballybofey.

Down are sweating on the fitness of their captain Ambrose Rodgers ahead of Sunday's Allianz NFL Division 2 final against Armagh at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

Down 0-12 Meath 0-8

CORK IT coach Keith Ricken admits his side face a big test when they open their Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup campaign in this afternoon’s quarter-final at home to DCU.

Two of Down's best known hurlers, Brendan McGourty and Gareth 'Magic' Johnson, have made the cut for the Mourne County's Dr. McKenna Cup panel.

FEARS that AFL clubs are to step up their recruitment drive in Ireland have been calmed by Brisbane Lions coach Matthews who claimed yesterday that the club has no immediate plans to snap up more promising young Gaelic footballers.

TODAY, the Irish Examiner unveils a new generation of Irish sporting stars. Remember their names - the chances are if you haven’t already heard of them, you will before too long.

JIM STYNES has slammed the agreement reached between the GAA and AFL aimed at preventing Australian clubs recruiting Irish teenage footballers.

DUBLIN City University, hosts to this year's Datapac Sigerson Cup for the first time, must beat UCC to reach Saturday's final.

A MASSIVE 98% of respondents to an internet GAA poll have rejected the idea that the International Rules U17 series should be scrapped if young Irish players continue to be lured down under by Australian Rules clubs.

MUNSTER Council Chairman Sean Fogarty has responded to recent criticism of the GAA, following what he described as “a miniscule number of isolated disciplinary indiscretions”.

Sharp-shooting Tyrone forward Stephen O'Neill added another award to his growing collection last night (Friday) as he was named the Tennent's Ulster GAA Writers' Footballer of the Year for 2005.

Laois youngsters Colm Begley and Brendan Quigley have both signed two-year rookie contracts with Aussie Rules club Brisbane Lions.

GAA officials in Laois are resigned to losing two of their most exciting young talents, Colm Begley and Brendan Quigley, to AFL club Brisbane Lions.

Tyrone star Sean Cavanagh has turned down a two-year contract offer from Aussie Rules club the Brisbane Lions.

Down 1-15 Mayo 0-8

Down 1-15 Mayo 0-8

EUGENE IVERS suspected from day one that he had a special group of players on his hands this year but, after one Thursday night in mid-July, he was sure of it.

GALWAY selector Stephen Joyce has an odd complaint ahead of this afternoon’s All-Ireland U21FC semi-final meeting with Cork at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick (3.45pm).