The optimist in “Sos” Dowling doesn’t need any invitation to draw parallels between the Leinster club title he led Moorefield to in 2006 and what he hopes will be their second crown tomorrow afternoon.

A senior Cabinet Minister has said October's Budget has to strike a balance between stimulating the economy and meeting financial targets.

BERNARD DUNNE was left counting the cost of his most important victory to date as he returned to his California base yesterday.