OUT ON a hurling field temporarily set up for a hot afternoon of competition in New Jersey recently, the big NYPD detective who had offered to stand in goal for us explained why he was better than we’d expected.

Long-time Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins will aim for his fifth M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada title and fourth in succession when he takes to the Annaverna Mountain in Dundalk this Saturday.

BROGELLA, who failed to come into foal and was returned to the racetrack when scoring at Punchestown recently, landed the featured Murphy's Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle at Killarney yesterday.

A CENTRE for asylum seekers applying for residency in Ireland, An Poc Fada in Cobh, Co Cork, is to close its doors next week.