Halloween night is over. No more apple bobbing or scary stories or playing pranks allowed. The serious announcement of the All-Stars. An All-Star — a principal performer during the 2018 GAA Senior football season. They have been announced, writes John Divilly.

Monaghan advanced to their first All-Ireland semi-final in 30 years with a superb double scores win over Galway at Pearse Stadium in Salthill.

Galway manager Kevin Walsh will pass on the opportunity to rest his marquee players for Saturday’s visit of Monaghan, according to former Farney forward Tommy Freeman.

Waterford 0-9 Monaghan 5-21

Fermanagh 1-8 Monaghan 0-10: It was the type of finish that a game devoid of adventure and flair scarcely deserved, a climax worthy of any sporting occasion, as Fermanagh reached for the sky on an unforgettable afternoon at Healy Park.

This will and should sting Ireland for some time to come.

Despite the brilliance of Conor McManus and Michael Murphy, Ireland wilted in the Adelaide heat and have it all to do to retain the International Rules series in next Saturday’s test in Perth.

The August Bank Holiday weekend is usually a pretty good starting point for the business end of the football championship, writes Tomás Quinn.

Down have emerged from the depths of despair to challenge once again for Ulster football glory.

CAVAN 0-15 - MONAGHAN 1-15: Making the Ulster semi-finals for the sixth successive year speaks volumes about Monaghan’s consistency, but Malachy O’Rourke knows a lot more is required if they’re to land a third provincial title on his watch.

Monaghan 1-11 Mayo 0-12: Monaghan manager Malachy O’Rourke hailed the efforts his players have put into their pre-season after their win over Mayo in MacHale Park, Castlebar on Saturday night.

Monaghan 2-22 Down 0-9: So much for the ultra-competitive Ulster championship.

Mayo 2-11 Monaghan 1-12: In the absence of Aidan O’Shea, Lee Keegan, and Cillian O’Connor for the final few minutes in Clones, Mayo supporters might have reasoned they were all out of inspiration.

Things can change over the next six weeks — ask Kieran Donaghy — but if football’s All Stars were handed out in August, our GAA correspondent would be shaking hands and back-slapping with the following summer achievers.

Monaghan 1-20 Fermanagh 0-13: Monaghan took a long time to get going on the longest day of the year, but eventually made the most of Ryan McCluskey’s straight red card to book their place in the Ulster final.

GAA director general Páraic Duffy has allayed fears the Páirc Uí Chaoimh redevelopment project could be in difficulty.

Paul Galvin’s return to action for Kerry will have to wait for at least another week, as he wasn’t included in the squad to face Cork in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday (2pm).

Down will appeal against what James McCartan feels is an unjust suspension for Conor Garvey.

Cork dual star Eoin Cadogan faces a difficult choice the weekend after next — the Leeside hurlers face Offaly on July 7 in Páirc Uí Chaoimh while the next day, July 8, the Cork footballers face Clare in the Munster SFC final.

Yesterday was my first time in this year’s championship watching a game from home.

The game needed a dramatic intervention from somebody and Tommy Freeman was the man to provide it.

Monaghan 1-12 Antrim 1-9