Last year’s beaten finalists, Ballymun Kickhams, got their Dublin SFC campaign up and running on a positive note as they defeated St Brigid’s by 2-13 to 1-10 in their Group 4 clash at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

Vincent Mullins is decking the front garden in maroon and white. He’s the last to do so on this particular stretch of Ardrahan road. There’s a heightened sense of excitement around these parts, what with Jonathan Glynn living next door and all.

Muster SFC semi-final

A further increase in the proportion of school leavers aiming to sit higher level maths exams will be watched carefully after fail grades rocketed in recent years.

Last Saturday evening when Gary Brennan stood on the steps of the Hogan Stand, it served as a reminder of another fact of the county he represents so well.

Kildare 0-22 Clare 1-14: Despite losing out to Kildare in a high-octane shootout, Clare will still join their conquerors in Division 2 next year.

Clare 1-20 Longford 1-9: Clare’s promotion aspirations are still on track after a merited 11-point win over visitors Longford at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday.

Eoghan Cormican says Cian O'Neill will deliver promotion for the Lilywhites.

English and Home Economics for openers as record entry seen for higher level Leaving Certificate maths

A record of more than one-third of Leaving Certificate maths students have applied to sit the higher level exams.

Limerick hurling manager TJ Ryan has given three debuts for Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final clash with Clare in Semple Stadium (throw-in 4pm).

Clare 1-14 Fermanagh 2-09: Clare maintained their Division 3 status by virtue of a two-point win over Fermanagh at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday.

A local authority is to consider placing spy cameras inside old washing machines or television sets in an effort to detect illegal dumping in rural areas.

Allianz FL Division 3 

Claire 1-11, Armagh 3-11:

Clare 1-16 Wexford 0-5: Allianz Football League Division 3: Promoted Clare got their Division 3 campaign off to a winning start at Miltown Malbay yesterday, easily dismissing the challenge of Wexford by 14 points.

The eve of another cup final weekend and with it a sense of history about it for those of us steeped in Irish hoops, writes Kieran Shannon.

ONE of the crucial decisions before visiting the city that allegedly never sleeps is where to lay your head.

It holds the record as having the highest GAA pitch in Ireland and can now add hosting the biggest hurling match in history to its credits.

Golf clubs get a bad rap and sometimes deservedly so.

The clash of the ash reverberated out from a North Cork village and onto the world stage as 916 people aged from four to 88 years took part in an extraordinary game of hurling.

Dublin 0-17 Kildare 1-16

Ballymun Kickhams 1-12 Kilmacud Crokes 0-14

Kilmacud Crokes and Ballymun Kickhams meet in next Monday’s Dublin SFC final after semi-final wins over St Brigid’s and St Jude’s, respectively, in Parnell Park yesterday.

IFA national grain committee chairman Noel Delaney said the bad weather has taken a significant toll on crops, reducing yield potential by at least 300,000 tonnes.

Farmers have been advised to counteract rising production costs with better financial planning, and creation of buying groups.

Patients dressed in pyjamas at a smoke-free hospital campus are hiding behind trees and bushes to smoke, chairman of the HSE West Forum has said.

Some 72% of Irish businesses expect profitability, revenue and selling prices to improve in 2012, according to a new business sentiment survey.

A Dublin footballer faces special pressures, and will continue to do so until they get the monkey off their back.

Dublin manager Pat Gilroy has opted to streamline his squad with the start of the Leinster Senior Football Championship almost a week away.

A FORMER leader of the Seanad brought a close to the election count by imploring newly elected members to fight for the continued retention of the Upper House.

CIARAN SHEEHAN has been named in the Cork team for Sunday’s Allianz Division 1 final against Dublin.

Wing forward Bryan Cullen will captain Dublin when they take on defending champions Cork in Sunday's Allianz Football League Division 1 final.

THIS was an outcome which didlittle to appease either side asDublin surrendered their 100% record and Galway suffered relegation from the top flight for the first time in a decade and a half.

GALWAY 0-15 DUBLIN 2-09

THE cut-backs in St Patrick’s Day travel by government ministers is mere window dressing and a dodgy false economy.

A CRAZY and intense afternoon in Navan yesterday. This All-Ireland semi-final had it all but ultimately only victory for Ulster champions Crossmaglen Rangers.

Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 2-11 Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) 1-12

Limerick 1-20 Westmeath 0-15

BUSINESS confidence levels in Australia have slumped by 40% in the past 12 months, according to a new report.

Irish exporters are among the most optimistic in the world when it comes to this year's prospects., according to the Grant Thornton International Business Report.