Michael D Higgins has diverted part of the presidential funding provided by taxpayers to increase the number of advisers he has compared to his predecessor Mary McAleese.

Cork play Monaghan in their Tesco Homegrown Ladies NFL opener on Saturday, but the following day sees arguably an even bigger assignment for the All-Ireland champions.

A breach of the pay cap for two special advisers to President Micheal D Higgins had been approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.