Meath GAA officials baffled club delegates at tonight's County Board meeting outside Navan by failing to make any decision on whether or not to offer a replay to Louth.

Speculation is mounting that former Dublin stalwart Brian Mullins will be named as the county's new football manager.

Delegates at the GAA's Special Congress have decided not to back proposals for new Under-19 inter-county hurling and football championships and will stick with the current set-up for the foreseeable future.

The abolishment of the minor and Under-21 grades and the introduction of an Under-19 championship at inter-county level was one of the key issues which emerged from the report of the GAA's Player Burnout Taskforce launched yesterday at Croke Park.

A knee ligament injury will keep Darren Stamp out of contention for Wexford's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final date with Clare on Sunday in Croke Park (throw-in 2.15pm).

Meath manager Eamonn Barry has deferred selection of his team for tomorrow's Leinster SFC quarter-final against Wexford (Croke Park, throw-in 2.10pm).

Cavan half-back Paul Brady will be out of football action for three months, after incurring the wrath of the GAA's Central Disciplinary Committee.

“EVERY time you win, you’re reborn. When you lose, you die a little,” said George Allen, a legendary American football coach who spent 11 years shipping the blows and sucking in the highs with the LA Rams and the Washington Redskins.

NORTH of England trainer, Jimmy Finnick, was very active at the Curraheen Park sales yesterday, picking up a few choice lots.

CLONAKILTY’S Glebe House, on the town’s landmark Emmet Square, has had its Easter Rising.

LIMERICK football star, Brian Begley has played down speculation of an immediate return to inter-county action.

THE Irish Sports Council yesterday defended themselves against criticism of their out-of-competition drug testing procedures for GAA players.

MICK O’DWYER won’t be rushing any of his injured Laois stars back even if it means the Leinster champions playing in Division Two next year.

CONSUMPTION of alcohol among inter-county players in the GAA has decreased considerably, according to association president Sean McCague.

Young Irelands 3-11 Rathnure 0-11

IT WAS a couple of years ago, even as Kilkenny were winning the All-Ireland title in 2000, that a knowledgeable and fanatical supporter of the Cats remarked that the future of Kilkenny hurling lay in placing Peter Barry at centre-back and Henry Shefflin at centre-forward.

DEJA-VU. That would maybe sum up Charlie Carter’s feelings this week as he prepares for another All-Ireland senior final.

A new pharmaceutical guide has been launched today to ensure doctors don't prescribe banned substances to athletes.

The Irish Sports Council announced today that four sports - sailing, boxing, equestrian and rowing - are to receive major grants to finance their preparations for Athens 2004.