It was the result most expected but Donegal's journey to the Allianz League Division 2 title was anything but straightforward at Croke Park.

HIS new position will see him clocking over 1,000 kilometres a week from his Kildare base but Brian Lacey had no hesitation about accepting the offer to coach the Limerick footballers.

LIMERICK football manager Maurice Horan is facing a defensive crisis ahead of the 2012 season following the retirement of two key defenders.

Jim O'Donovan has been named in the Limerick team to face Kerry in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

Tommy Stack has been included in an unchanged Limerick team for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC fourth round qualifier against Wexford in Portlaoise (throw-in 7pm).

IT was a scene of devastation six weeks ago but the Gaelic Grounds are once again feeling like home for the Limerick footballers.

COMING out of the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday, John Galvin could have been forgiven for thinking the match scoreline was his fault.

Limerick manager Maurice Horan has handed debuts to three players for Saturday's Munster SFC semi-final against Kerry at the Gaelic Grounds (throw-in 6.45pm).

ST MARY’S coach Peter Keane insists his side will not be underestimating the challenge posed by Manchester outfit St Peter’s in Sunday’s All-Ireland JFC semi-final in Kilmallock.

NIALL RIGNEY has stepped down as Laois hurling boss in the wake of last Saturday’s surprise All-Ireland championship exit at the hands of Carlow.

With no late injury worries, Mickey Ned O'Sullivan has settled on an unchanged Limerick team for Sunday's Munster SFC final against Kerry in Killarney (throw-in 2pm).

IT’S still May, but it feels like Christmas for 24 lucky golfers who will tee it up with the biggest names in the game at the JP McManus Invitational pro-am in a few weeks.

PAT FLANAGAN was last night appointed as the new manager of the Westmeath senior football team.

SHOCKING footage of the weekend assault on Tipperary referee Willie Barrett has appeared on the internet.

MAYO have made two changes from the side that defeated Tipperary for next Sunday’s All-Ireland MFC semi final clash with Down at Croke Park.

I WAS privileged to manage the Limerick footballers for six seasons from 2000 to 2005 and the U21s for the first two years of that period.

Cork 2-6 Limerick 0-11

SHANE GALLAGHER had a ringside seat in the Gaelic Grounds last June when Cork’s late, late show saw them dramatically triumph in the Munster SFC semi-final. The defeat was a savage blow for Limerick after they held the upper head for long stretches, yet the Ballysteen defender believes they can use that experience to their advantage for Sunday’s Munster SFC final.

THE deceptiveness of league form was painted vividly yesterday afternoon in Semple Stadium.

CORK football boss Conor Counihan has added four of the county’s recent All-Ireland U21 winners to the senior panel ahead of Sunday’s Munster SFC opener against Waterford in Dungarvan.

Cavan 0-10 Limerick 0-9

Limerick 1-07 UL 1-09

Six Irish trainee priests will take part in a special ceremony with Pope Benedict today marking the Flight of the Earls.

Limerick have included championship debutant Ger Collins in their team for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Louth (Gaelic Grounds, throw-in 7pm).

Kerry had their third player sent off in two National League matches but they still came out on top against Munster rivals Limerick in Killarney today.

Diarmuid Carroll and Shane Gallagher have been recalled to the Limerick team for Sunday's NFL Division 1A encounter with defending champions Kerry (Austin Stack Park, throw-in 2.30pm).

CLARE have left a vacancy on their team for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Munster SFC clash with Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.

Limerick 0-14 Roscommon 0-11

Limerick 0-13 Tipperary 1-7