Longford, Offaly and Westmeath delivered victories, with Carlow also beginning brightly this afternoon.

The shifting power in Meath GAA was further emphasised when first-time finalists Ratoath claimed senior football championship glory at Páirc Tailteann yesterday.

Ratoath will be appearing in their first decider following their fully merited 2-14 to 1-10 win over the Kells men. The north Meath side were continuing their losing streak at the semi-final stage, having lost four in the past five years.

Draws, by their very nature, tend to leave us with more questions than answers.

Kerry were last night still awaiting official confirmation of Stephen O’Brien’s one-match ban — but are already putting plans in place to

You imagine as the Kerry party left Croke Park yesterday evening they were preparing a case for the defence of Stephen O’Brien.

Two of the players most in danger of missing an All-Ireland final because of suspension could end up marking one another in Sunday’s semi-final.

The Kerry U-20 Hurlers never looked threatened in winning the Richie McElligott Cup for the third successive year in Pairc Tailteann.

Nothing but a win over Donegal extends Mayo's Championship for at least another week.

Coming up this weekend, there are the final four games in the Super 8s as well as the U20 hurling semi-finals to look ahead to.

The Super 8 series will enter its third and final trial year in 2020 shrouded in doubt, but Kerry forward Stephen O’Brien is full of praise for the increased number of games.

"We cannot ask our teams and supporters to endure another season where our flagship stadium is unavailable to host the games it was built for."

Back when the musician Prince was among us, he was renowned for making his way from playing in a big arena to go jam in some nightclub in front of a lucky, exclusive audience of late-night revellers.

Fourteen years after making her debut for Tipperary, Mary Ryan is still one of the Premiers’ prime performers, as illustrated by another tour de force that earned the pocket rocket player-of-the-match honours in her side’s 2-12 to 1-7 Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship triumph over Clare in Sixmilebridge on Saturday.

Mayo's championship hopes have suffered a serious setback with the news that captain Diarmuid O'Connor has been ruled out for the remainder of the summer with a fractured wrist.

This fixture is part of a double-header at the Cork city venue, and precedes the Munster GAA SFC semi-final between Cork and Limerick at the same venue (7pm).

No prizes for guessing where most of this column’s focus is on after this weekend. Nowlan Park was the stage for one of the most unusual moments I’ve seen in a game and it’s no surprise it has most of the country talking.

Five decades after sitting into a radio studio for the first time, Seán Bán Breathnach remains as enthusiastic and animated as ever on the national airwaves

Meath 2-12 Fermanagh 0-11

As Meath stand on the brink of promotion to Division 1 for the first time in 13 years, former star Graham Geraghty has commended manager Andy McEntee for handing over a lot of responsibility to coach Colm Nally.

Wicklow, Roscommon and Longford claimed Division 2B, 3A and 3B Allianz Hurling League silverware respectively this afternoon.

Meath snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to take a major step in their quest for a return to top-tier football with this victory in driving snow at Páirc Tailteann yesterday.

There was a sensational ending to this fully-blooded Division 2 NFL encounter as a penalty goal from Barry Dardis in added time strengthened Meath’s promotion push at Pairc Tailteann.

Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days blared out over the tannoy prior to the start of this Allianz League Division 2 tie at breezy Páirc Tailteann yesterday and while that may have been a bit premature for the Royals there were some positive signs in this hard-fought victory.

The fare on offer from both side was well short of what will be needed to win promotion but it was Meath who were happiest at the end of this dour Division 2 tie at Páirc Tailteann yesterday.

Last week, the Irish Independent reported four counties — Armagh and Laois footballers and Waterford and Wexford’s hurlers — are to lose home advantage for their opening 2019 Allianz League home game after breaching the pre-Championship training camp rule, writes John Fogarty.

Last week, the Irish Independent reported four counties — Armagh and Laois footballers and Waterford and Wexford’s hurlers — are to lose home advantage for their opening 2019 Allianz League home game after breaching the pre-Championship training camp rule, writes John Fogarty.

A goal from Stuart Lowndes on 54 minutes proved decisive, as Dunboyne captured the Meath SFC for the first time since 2005 at Páirc Tailteann yesterday.

Cathal McShane believes battle-hardened Tyrone have a vital edge over Donegal as they prepare to collide at Ballybofey tomorrow.

The winners of the Cork-Tyrone game will be rewarded with a home fixture against Dublin in the Super 8s.

Tyrone suffered a blow last night with the news that playmaker Mark Bradley has suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury and will miss Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC qualifier at Netwatch Cullen Park.

Mickey Harte says defeat in Navan tomorrow would be a ‘horrible’ end to Tyrone’s season.

Waterford chairman Paddy Joe Ryan is not in favour of the GAA introducing goal-line technology.

Kerry hurler Pádraig Boyle is hoping the favourite’s tag will weigh heavily on Carlow’s shoulders when they meet in the opening round of the Joe McDonagh Cup at Dr Cullen Park on Sunday.

Meath boss Andy McEntee expressed a mixture of delight and relief after his team boosted their prospects of avoiding the drop to division three following this polished display against fellow strugglers Down at Pairc Tailteann yesterday.

Meath footballer Cillian O’Sullivan has welcomed the green light to redevelop their Páirc Tailteann GAA base, describing it as “long overdue”.

Meath 1-19

Meath are eyeing up their first piece of silverware under Andy McEntee after cruising comfortably through to the last four of the Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup.

All-Ireland winner Patrick McBrearty showed all his big game experience with a dramatic 73rd minute winning point at Pairc Tailteann to send Donegal through to Round 4A of the qualifiers.

Former Louth manager Paddy Carr believes referee Brendan Gorman “lost control of everything towards the end” of the county’s remarkable qualifier defeat to Meath in 2002.

Paul Rouse has more than a few issues with the place of women’s sports in the heart of Irish society.

Experienced midfielder Paul Conroy says Division 2 leaders Galway must grasp this opportunity and secure promotion back to the top tier of the NFL this season after six years out of the top flight.