Farm leaders and politicians have criticised what they described as frustrating delays in grant payments and approvals under the new Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS).

Farm leaders have called on Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar to make changes in the Farm Assist scheme to protect low income families.

A woman who met a man online was found dead in his bed the next morning, an inquest has heard. Margaret Crowley, 37, of St Colman’s Place, Buttevant, Co Cork, joined ‘social discovery’ website Tagged where she met Brian Glass, from Tallaght in Dublin.

2010 All-Ireland-winning manager Liam Sheedy is to spearhead the search for the new Offaly senior hurling manager.

Daithí Regan and Johnny Pilkington may have soldiered together for years as midfield partners for both Birr and Offaly, but they’ll be in opposition next weekend when Regan’s Shinrone meet Pilkington’s Birr side in the quarter-finals of the Offaly SHC.

Ken Hogan was extolling the talents of Loughgiel on Saturday when news came through the Antrim side had been taken to extra-time in their All-Ireland Club semi-final with Na Piarsaigh.

Coolderry (Offaly) 3-16 Gort (Galway) 0-17

THE man who scored Coolderry’s crucial goal in Sunday’s Leinster Club SHC final was exultant at the final whistle, understandably enough.

COOLDERRY manager Ken Hogan has urged everyone in Offaly to get behind new hurling supremo Ollie Baker after his side retained their title for the first time since 1962/’63 following a tension filled final in O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday.

Rory Hanniffy and James Mulrooney will line out for Offaly against Cork in tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC first phase qualifier at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (throw-in 2.30pm).

Offaly hurler Brian Carroll says his side have their full concentration on the upcoming All-Ireland SHC qualifiers, despite their current dispute with the Offaly County Board.

SHANE DOOLEY’S 68th minute goal from a powerfully struck 20m free ensured that Offaly gained a draw with Clare in Saturday’s high- scoring challenge match to mark the official opening of Crinkill GAA grounds and also saw Gerry Quinn’s return to the Banner fold.

Defenders Maurice O'Brien and Oisin Gough will start for Dublin in tomorrow's Leinster SHC quarter-final against Offaly at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

Offaly manager Joe Dooley has announced his team for Sunday's Leinster SHC quarter-final against Dublin at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

CORK defender Ronan Curran will be given this week to prove his fitness for the clash with Tipperary in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship.

MIDWAY through the Allianz Hurling League, Offaly manager Joe Dooley reeled off the players unavailable to him due to injury. It sounded like a trauma unit.

RELEGATION-threatened Offaly hurlers have received a massive boost with ace forward Shane Dooley set to return to action in Sunday’s league clash with Wexford at Tullamore.

OFFALY forward Shane Dooley is recovering today after a minor operation in Tullamore’s Midland Regional Hospital, following an injury suffered in Sunday’s Allianz Hurling League game against Dublin.

“I’M delighted with the win. We got a good beating here last year and the relegation end of things has been put to bed at least,” enthused Dublin manager Anthony Daly after his charges defeated 14-man Offaly in O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday and preserved their impressive unbeaten start to the Allianz Hurling League.

IARLA TANNIAN and Galway produced a tour-de-force as they crushed 14-man Offaly in a one-sided Allianz NHL Division 1 encounter at blustery O’Connor Park yesterday.

IF there’s one man on the current Offaly team who knows about perseverance, it’s midfielder/forward Brendan Murphy — Dr Brendan Murphy, currently doing his GP training in Portlaoise.

Derek Molloy has returned from injury ahead of Offaly's GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Phase 2 qualifier against Limerick at O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday (7pm).

ANOTHER brilliant game, just as I had forecast, and I can’t understand how anyone could have expected otherwise.

FAIR play to both Offaly and Galway for producing the game of the championships in Croke Park last weekend.

SOME day, somehow, John McIntyre and Offaly hurling are going to catch a break.

Galway 2-19 Offaly 3-16

GER FARRAGHER has described Andy Smith as ‘a big loss’ to the Galway hurlers ahead of their Leinster semi-final with Offaly but the midfielder is adamant the westerners have capable replacements.

Derek Morkan has been rewarded for an impressive National League campaign by being named in the Offaly team for Sunday's Leinster SHC quarter-final against Antrim.

AN Taoiseach Brian Cowen performed the official opening of Lusmagh’s & new clubhouse yesterday evening.

Offaly manager Joe Dooley has named his team to face Waterford in Sunday's Allianz NHL Division 1 encounter at Walsh Park (throw-in 2.30pm).

NHL DIVISION 1:

Antrim 0-13 Offaly 1-28

THE cover of the match programme in O’Connor Park on Saturday night for Cork-Offaly was significant.

OKAY, on that scoreline it looks a comprehensive win, and it was, eventually.

BOTH Cork and Limerick have made one change apiece from the sides that triumphed over Kerry and Clare, respectively, in the Munster SFC semi-finals for Sunday’s provincial final clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

THERE was a lot of surprise in hurling circles last Saturday evening when Offaly defeated favourites Limerick on an impressive 3-19 to 0-17 scoreline, and on their home patch in the All-Ireland qualifiers.

WITH five minutes to go in Saturday evening’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling qualifier between Limerick and Offaly, the hosts won a free around the middle of the field.

AT the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening last, Limerick became the first major casualty of the latest version of the All-Ireland qualifying system when they were dumped from the championship by a young and resurgent Offaly side.

ALL-IRELAND SHC THIRD PHASE QUALIFIER: LIMERICK 0-18 OFFALY 3-19

Kilkenny 2-24 Offaly 0-12