WHEN you’re a scriptwriter whose latest TV series is an irreverent take on the 1916 Rising, it throws you a little when you meet your director for the first time and realise he’s a descendant of one of the most celebrated fighters to die at the GPO.

Sean Purcell was only a spectator as Roscommon swept through the divisions over the past two years but now he is an integral part of the side which is taking the country by storm.

“It’s a long journey down, but it’ll be a lot shorter going home,” quipped a delighted Fergal O’Donnell.

The journalists at the Irish Press group were as hard drinking as they were hardworking. Sue Leonard hears many tall tales and true from David Kenny, who was there before its demise in 1995.  

New Cork senior hurling boss Kieran Kingston has described the post as a “fantastic opportunity”, confirming yesterday that his former Cork team-mate Pat Harnett is joining him as a selector.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

A bus driver for a private coach operator has been sacked after using his iPad while driving his bus at 100km/h on the M50 two years ago. CCTV cameras put in place by Aircoach recorded driver Sean Purcell take his two hands off the steering wheel to take out his iPad on July 22, 2013.

When Michael Meehan burst on the Galway senior football scene 10 years ago, it wasn’t a surprise.

The head of education in Donegal has called for time to allow the community and school to recover from Erin Gallagher’s death.

Tuam Stars are the most celebrated club in Galway football.

The sponsorship person who has to hang around to present the man of the match award could have made a strong case for it to be done at half-time in Hyde Park yesterday to get home out of the rain.

After three years waiting for a Connacht victory on Irish soil, it was like two came at once for Galway yesterday in this emphatic win over Roscommon on their home patch.

Roscommon manager Des Newton has selected his team to face Galway in Sunday's Connacht SFC quarter-final at Dr. Hyde Park (throw-in 4pm).

Dublin U21 football star Ciarán Kilkenny will wait until after his Leaving Cert before deciding whether to accept an offer of a trial from AFL club, Carlton.

THE Tuam Stars club and their status as a legendary GAA unit with magnificent footballers over the ages has an aura about it few clubs can match.

Manager Fergal O'Donnell has picked an unchanged Roscommon team for Sunday's Connacht SFC semi-final against Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon (throw-in 2pm).

THE poet Paul Durcan implored “Daddy, Daddy,” to “pass out the moon” on a journey to Mayo.

Roscommon 1-13 Leitrim 0-11

London 0-6 Roscommon 0-14

TOM KENNY and Eoin Cadogan have shaken off injury worries to make the Cork starting side for Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, as manager Denis Walsh makes three personnel and three positional changes for the clash against Tipperary.

Wexford 1-8 Roscommon 0-11 (aet)

Roscommon manager Fergal O'Donnell has made seven changes to his side to take on Wexford in today's All-Ireland SFC second round qualifier against Wexford at Wexford Park.

Cavan 0-14 Roscommon 0-6, Kingspan Breffni Park

GALWAY football is mourning the loss of one of their finest players following the death yesterday of Frank Stockwell.

GER REIDY of Castleisland Desmonds and Aidan O’Shea from the Glenbeigh-Glencarr club are the two new faces on the Kerry team to play Donegal in the opening round of the Allianz NFL at Austin Park, Tralee tomorrow.

TONY MARTIN’S Lochan Lacha has to be the choice to take the Roundfort Stores Handicap Hurdle at the first meeting of the year at Ballinrobe tonight.

DAVY FITZGERALD’S Sixmilebridge have told Clare GAA chiefs to resolve the impasse between Fitzgerald and senior hurling team manager Tony Considine “within a week”.

CLARE have made just one change from the side that lost to Cork in last season’s Guinness All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final for Sunday’s Muster duel with their conquerors of nine months ago at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Five players will make their championship debuts for Roscommon when they take on New York in the Connacht SFC quarter-final on Sunday (Gaelic Park, throw-in 8pm Irish time).

Roscommon will take on New York in Sunday's Connacht SFC preliminary-round clash without the services of full-forward Karol Mannion and wing back Sean Purcell.

CORK got their senior football championship preparation off to a good start with a four-point win over Kildare in Newbridge over the weekend.

THE GAA's decision to open Croke Park was indicative of a broad-minded organisation with confidence in its future, according to outgoing Connacht GAA council chairman, Tommy Moran.

FORMER GALWAY All-Ireland-winning football star Jack Mahon passed away on Saturday night at Galway’s University College Hospital.

Diarmaid O'Flynn Talking Sport

THE president of the GAA, Mr Sean Kelly, has expressed his sadness at the death of former Galway footballer Sean Purcell, winner of an All-Ireland medal with the County in 1956.

The legendary gaelic footballer Sean Purcell was a humble man who bore his greatness lightly, friends said today.

Tributes are being paid to Galway footballing legend, Sean Purcell who passed away last night.

Charlie Mulqueen

A famous school in the west of Ireland is closing its doors to boarders after a tradition lasting more than 200 years.

ENDA COLLERAN, the last winning All-Ireland Galway captain in 1966 until Ray Silke lifted the Sam Maguire Cup 32 years later was remembered yesterday as a defender of outstanding quality who "lived life to the full".

The Football Association of Irish Schools are just 90 minutes away from creating history by landing their first ever Centenary Shield.