They’re an odd couple, no doubt about that, but Diarmuid Connolly and Bernard Brogan have been tangled together in blue for a dozen years now.

Two goals in as many first-half minutes laid the platform for favourites Meath to cruise past Carlow in Portlaoise and through to the Leinster SFC quarter-finals.

Carlow manager Turlough O'Brien has had his 20-week suspension upheld by the Central Appeals Committee.

Galway football coach Paddy Tally to set to be named Down manager next week.

Tyrone 3-14 Carlow 1-10

Steven Poacher’s Ulster accent has been one of the main backing tracks to the movie reel of the moments that mark Carlow’s progression from anonymous extras to strong supporting actors in Gaelic football this last 12 months.

Carlow coach Steven Poacher has lambasted the criticism aimed at the county’s minors on the back of last week’s defeat to Kildare when they managed just two points in a 14-point Leinster Championship defeat.

One of the most impressive statistics in the Championship season and one that is unlikely to be repeated, was the fact that Carlow did not record a single wide in their Leinster quarter-final win over Kildare, their first over the Lilywhites since 1953.

Former Down All-Star Marty Clarke has advised his county to draft in Steven Poacher to their management set-up as soon as he becomes available.

What does it say when yet again a match official is unable to take matters into his own hands during a game, asks John Fogarty.

John Murphy is laughing. He knows how physically big this Carlow side can be considered but then he knows they could be bigger if Sean O’Brien had taken a different playing career path.