Dublin Senior Football manager Jim Gavin confessed that he wasn't surprised that Laois pushed them hard, despite the Metropolitans winning by an 11-point margin as they began their All-Ireland and Leinster title defence at Croke Park this afternoon.

New Westmeath senior football manager Brendan Hackett says that he sees his new role as not just that of manager - but also as a director of football within the Lake County.

Westmeath 0-16 Wicklow 1-10 (aet)

Westmeath manager Tomas O Flaharta has stuck with the same 15 that started in the NFL Division Two final for his side's championship opener against Longford on Sunday.

RORY O'CONNELL has been handed a dramatic lifeline back into Sunday's Leinster final against Laois.