Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick have a special understanding, writes Kieran Shannon.

It was impossible not to have some empathy and even sympathy for Páraic Duffy yesterday morning.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

The dehumanising of players and match officials by Sunday Game panellists has no place in the GAA, according to Paudie Butler.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

If you want to play to the galleries at this time of the year, then get out the violin and play a lament for the club. 

Former Taoiseach Brian Cowen has claimed Ireland bounced back from its devastating financial collapse quicker because of his spending spree; More than 400 jobseekers were interviewed for just 60 positions at the country’s newest McDonald’s restaurant; Ireland is poised to become an €8 billion ‘green energy’ hub.  Just some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com

Ask Paudie Butler to discuss the ciotógs on the current Tipperary team and he can’t but mention the recently departed Jimmy Doyle.

Out of over 2,000 clubs in the country, they’re the two running onto Croker. It makes for one of the most glorious days of all

He was true to his word. He didn’t stop. The job may have finished up but the work didn’t. 

Former national hurling coordinator Paudie Butler believes top inter-county players can now puck the ball too far.

Paudie Butler believes the decision not to fill the Director of Hurling role over the past four years has provided GAA top-brass with clarity as to the position’s wide-reaching potential.

Winning the Six Nations, climbing to third in the world. Of course the Ireland rugby coach is manager of the year. Until you start examining the criteria for truly great team management.

Former national hurling coordinator Paudie Butler believes it is "inevitable" penalties in next year’s championship will be a straight shoot-out between attacker and goalkeeper.

Raymie Ryan remembers first clapping eyes on the "impatient, talented young fella" that was Séamus Callanan when he took over as manager of Drom & Inch ahead of the 2007 campaign.

Nothing sparks a bout of self- examination like a 10-point defeat in an All-Ireland semi-final.

Insider says Limerick and Wexford have made big changes.

ALL-IRELAND SHC QUARTER-FINAL:

The name probably means nothing. If some radio sports show were to have a panel discussion about top coaching and top coaches in this country, it’s doubtful Liam Moggan’s name would crop up. His profile is hardly prominent.

When I bumped into an old friend last Friday evening, he recounted a story which will be depressingly familiar to many readers.

Last week we spoke to former National Director of Hurling, Paudie Butler, and he dismissed traditional notions of winter hurling.

It’s that time of the year: provincial club championship time.

The thorny subject of the economic realities for the GAA need to be addressed. My new book GAAconomics raises key issues about hurling — the cost, the progress, the snobbery and the urban areas that need careful tending.

Pádraic ‘Podge’ Collins is part of a new breed of hurler to have blossomed in recent times.

Liam Dunne wants to see hurling referees being given the freedom to apply common sense from next season.

GAA clubs need to devise ways to ensure their marquee players, at every age level, are being challenged at training and every effort should be made to encourage them to make further progress.

Wexford manager Liam Dunne claims he is fighting against the GAA to get Paudie Butler on board as part of his backroom team.

It’s hard enough to sell a book. Personal tragedy, crippling addiction, news about sexuality, an exchange of riches for rags, or vice versa; all might be considered saleable assets at this commercially sensitive time.

Kilworth 2-14 Argideen Rangers 0-16

Former National Director of Hurling Paudie Butler believes Cavan have made the right decision in not fielding a senior hurling team for the immediate future.

Laois are set to appoint their fifth senior hurling manager in seven years, after it emerged yesterday that former Cork dual star Teddy McCarthy is set to take the role.

AS Dublin hurling has sought to climb up the national ladder, they have looked to outside experts for guidance.

Derek Lyng won six All-Ireland medals and national acclaim in service of Kilkenny. But the path to becoming one of the greatest midfielders of his generation was an arduous one.

THE inquest was lengthy and immediate.

ONCE upon a time, Ireland’s primary school system was a fertile conveyor belt for budding hurlers and footballers.

THE ACCUSED: Hurling’s lawmakers

HIS term as hurling’s missionary — also known as national coordinator — expires this weekend, but Paudie Butler remains true to the creed. “I’m going to commit the rest of my life to supporting coaches and clubs who want to develop hurling. Because I know that we’re winning.”

A THURLES man told me last week he knew three different lads from around the town who are going out with former Miss Irelands. A relatively unscientific metric, sure, but more proof, as if any were needed, that confidence is currently coursing through Tipp veins.

LOWER-TIER hurling counties have hit out against GAA proposals to end their spring participation in the league in favour of regional club competitions.

National Director of Hurling Paudie Butler has revealed that GAA chiefs are formulating a plan to create a new hurling province involving the seven lower tier counties in Connacht, Ulster and Leinster, which would see them withdraw from the National Hurling Leagues in favour of extended club competitions.

GOAL-LINE technology could be implemented in time for next year’s All-Ireland championships if a presentation on the Hawkeye system is received favourably by the GAA’s Management Committee next month.