Clare dug deep to claim their first win of the National League campaign with a deserved one-point success over 14-man Kildare in Ennis.

When the sides met at Páirc Uí Rinn in last year’s League campaign, Tipperary claimed a famous win.

In a historic day at Páirc Ui Chaoimh the Cork ladies footballers got the defence of their Lidl Ladies National Football League title off to a winning start.

Perhaps history will repeat itself and a Jack O'Connor-led team will bounce back from a loss to Longford with a strong season but, for now, it's frustration for the new Kildare manager.

Monaghan manager Niall Treanor said he had no doubt that his side would secure their place in the Senior ranks for 2020 after they easily bettered Westmeath in the TG4 All-Ireland SFC Relegation Play-off Final in Dunleer.

Monaghan secured their precious Senior status with a convincing victory over Westmeath in the TG4 All-Ireland SFC Relegation Play-off Final in Dunleer.

Cavan secured their place in the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship again next year with a decisive win against Westmeath this afternoon, while the Lake County ladies now face a winner-takes-all Relegation Final with Monaghan next weekend.

Kerry will face champions Dublin in the quarter-finals of the TG4 Ladies All-Ireland SFC after they qualified for the knockout stages of the competition after a tough and tense contest at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney.

Dublin claimed their eighth TG4 Leinster senior title in a row, but the scoreline doesn’t do justice to Westmeath who only fell out of contention thanks to late goals from Niamh McEvoy and Nicole Owens at netwatch Cullen Park.

Libby Coppinger shone as the 2016 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football champions Cork moved one step closer to another decider with a big win over Westmeath at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

Cork’s Orla Finn is relishing the start of the knockout section of the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Championship as the Rebels face Westmeath in Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds at 4.45pm on Monday.

Dublin ladies’ football manager, Mick Bohan, said his players were not concerned about winning a seventh TG4 Leinster SFC, but were just keen to kickstart the defence of their All-Ireland title, against Westmeath yesterday.

Dublin are the TG4 Leinster ladies senior champions for a seventh year in a row, as they proved far too strong for Westmeath in Netwatch Cullen Park.

Cork secured a Munster MFC semi-final spot with a straightforward win over Waterford at Páirc Uí Rinn this evening.

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.

Presentation, Thurles 1 Presentation, Kilkenny 0: Sarah McKevitt’s first-half strike secured the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup for Presentation Thurles in the Carriganore sunshine yesterday.

Ulster 56 Oyannax 3: Eight tries, all converted, and a clinically attacking Ulster got the bonus point win over Oyannax on Saturday at the Kingspan Stadium needed to prolong – for 24 hours at least – hopes of a Champions Cup quarter-final spot.

Ardscoil Rís Limerick 4-11

Kildare 1-14 Roscommon 1-11

Our Lady’s Templemore (Tipperary) 1-11 Dungarvan Colleges (Waterford) 2-21

Dungarvan Colleges 3-13 Doon CBS 1-13

Cork 2-12 Mayo 1-11

Australia 3-10-8 (56) Ireland 1-10-10 (46)

By Jim O’Sullivan AGAINST different opposition, Kilcormac/Killoughey might at least have been competitive over a longer period in yesterday’s Offaly county hurling final in St Brendan’s Park.