Ireland swing into action in the Men’s Amateur Home Internationals at Ganton in Yorkshire today in buoyant mood after several of their players staged fine performances in recent events.

Éire Óg, Nenagh 0-15 Thurles Sarsfields 0-12

Connacht, who bridged a 28 year gap when capturing the title at Rosses Point last year, begin their defence of the Interprovincial Championship this morning with a difficult match against Munster at Royal Co Down.

Kildare lost their Bord Na Móna O’Byrne Cup crown in Portlaoise last night after switching off in the second-half.

Kildare have opted to field a largely experimental line-up with nine players making their first starts for tonight’s Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup final against DCU in Portlaoise.

KILDARE made light work of a desperately uncompetitive Offaly to set-up an O’Byrne Cup semi-final with All-Ireland champions Dublin that has an exciting feel to it, even at this early juncture of the season.

A SEASONED Garrycastle had the necessary know-how to chisel out a hard-earned victory over a youthful Athy at Newbridge yesterday, and book their place in the Leinster Club SFC final.

Garrycastle 1-10 Athy 1-6

ATHY may be young, but they certainly know how to play.

ATHY were nowhere near their best but they still had too much firepower for an Edenderry team that showed plenty of grit but not enough attacking intent.

TEARS of joy flooded onto the St Conleth’s Park pitch in Newbridge yesterday as Athy ended a 24-year wait for a county title in convincing circumstances.

GLENEALY had to withstand a late goal rush by Carnew to secure their 12th SHC title at Aughrim yesterday.

KILDARE juniors set up an All-Ireland final against Cork but needed a workmanlike performance to see off a gritty Lancashire in Newbridge.

KILDARE’S Ciaran Kelly played the captain’s role to perfection with two goals as the Lilywhites lifted their first Leinster Junior title since 2004 at St Conleth’s Park last night.

DEFENDING champion Alan Dunbar hopes his batteries will be recharged when he tees it up at Royal Dublin this morning and takes on six of his fellow Walker Cup squad members in the Irish Amateur Open.

IT WAS like old times at Claughaun yesterday as Thurles CBS held out for a thrilling one-point victory over St Flannan’s in a superb Harty Cup quarter-final clash before a huge crowd.

Paul Dunne (Greystones) today became the first player to successfully defend the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship with a two-stroke victory over Knock’s Colin Fairweather at Bangor Golf Club.

Three players sharing the lead after the opening round of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Bangor Golf Club today.

Portstewart's Paul Cutler and Portmarnock’s James Fox fired three-under-par 69s to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at fast-running Baltray.

Scotland's Gavin Dear has one-stroke lead entering Sunday's final 36 holes of the Irish Amateur Open at a windy Royal Dublin.

Gale force winds sent scores soaring in the opening round of the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

Lucan's Richard O'Donovan recorded a fine opening round of 70 to lead after day one of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Portumna Golf Club.

HURLING was in short supply on a football weekend at Croke Park but the brilliance of Keith Raymond did the small game’s stock no harm as Sligo claimed Nicky Rackard Cup honours.

Despite the heavy rain, three players, Quentin Carew (Edenderry), Iarlaith Keane (Malahide) and Steffan O’Hara (Co. Sligo) share the lead on one over par 72 following the first round of the inaugural Irish Boys Under 15 Open 36 holes at Balbriggan Golf Club.

Louth's hurlers will bridge a 24-year gap when they step out onto the hallowed turf of Croke Park for Sunday's Nicky Rackard Cup final.

Ards 11 Greystones 18

Ards 5 Greystones 6

DUFFRY Rovers have lodged an appeal to the Leinster Council against the fine and two of the suspensions they received from the Wexford County Board after the ill-tempered SFC semi-final clash with Horeswood.

There are no AIB All-Ireland League Division One matches this weekend, but there is a full programme of Division Two and Three fixtures.