Dublin manager Jim Gavin was magnanimous in defeat as he reflected on his side's surprise 3-14 to 0-17 All-Ireland SFC semi-final loss to Donegal.

Jim Gavin has been confirmed as the new Dublin senior football manager tonight at a meeting of the Dublin County Board.

It looks like Jim Gavin is less than three weeks away from becoming the new Dublin senior football manager.

Jim Gavin’s appointment as the new Dublin senior football manager looks almost a formality after being approached about succeeding Pat Gilroy.

Karl O’Dwyer shakes his head at the thought of it now.

Dublin boss Jim Gavin believes several of his All-Ireland winning U21 players are ready to make the step up to the county’s senior panel.

Former Aussie Rules Player and current Laois senior footballer Colm Begley will confirm this week whether he will line out for Dublin club side Parnells this year.

Not for the first time Mick O’Dwyer is working the oracle in an adopted land. Brendan O’Brien, Daragh O Conchúir and Colm O’Connor spoke to four men who have first-hand experience of the Kerryman’s managerial brilliance.

He dropped out of the Dublin senior football panel last year ahead of the 2008 Championship, but for talented centre-back Ger Brennan it is all about the big time today as he lines out for the Metropolitans in the Leinster SFC final against Kildare at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

Dublin manager Paul Caffrey has made four changes to his team for Saturday's O'Byrne Cup semi-final against Carlow (Parnell Park, throw-in 5pm).

Dublin senior panellist Diarmuid Connolly will line out for the county's U21s this Saturday, having recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained last week in the National League.

BRIAN LOHAN could make a comeback for Clare in Sunday's Allianz NHL semi-final clash with Limerick at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Paul Curran is to manage Round Towers Clondalkin for the 2006 season, in what will be the former Dublin defender's first full-time coaching role.

Dublin will face arch rivals Meath in Sunday's O'Byrne Cup semi-final without influential centre half-forward Alan Brogan.

Meath's John Pender has been confirmed as the referee for the Foras na Gaeilge All-Ireland camogie final on September 18.

Super sub Joe McMahon is a doubt for inclusion in the Tyrone squad for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final replay against Dublin at Croke Park.

Dublin midfielder Darren Homan is a doubt for next Saturday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final replay with Tyrone due to a back spasm.

LIMERICK GAA chiefs will be hoping for a postponement of their opening game in the Guinness hurling qualifiers because of dual player and injury problems.

THE Dublin SFC gets underway this week with tomorrow night’s double-header (Na Fianna v UCD, 6.45; Kilmacud Crokes v St Brigid’s, 8) sure to draw a large crowd to Parnell Park.

Kildare 0-13 Laois 0-8

Jim O’Sullivan

MAYO manager John Maughan has made one change from the team that won the Connacht title for Sunday's All-Ireland U21 football semi-final against Kildare at Pearse Stadium.

Kildare are expected to show just two changes from their Leinster final winning team for Sunday's All Ireland U21 semi final clash with Mayo in Salthill.

TWELVE months ago, an injured Chris Conway watched Laois capture their first Leinster title since 1946 from the Hogan Stand.

THE buntings are in abundance in Blanchardstown this week. The home town club, St Brigid's, are heading to Thurles on Sunday for an AIB All-Ireland club SFC semi-final appointment with the mighty Gaeltacht.

DUBLIN midfielder Darren Homan has jumped to Tommy Lyons’ defence in the wake of last week’s heavy defeat to Mayo and has called on the players to stand up and be counted against Kerry in Parnell Park on Sunday.

AT first glance, they might appear a strange partnership - former Meath hero Gerry McEntee and ex-Louth guru Paddy Clarke combining their talents to manage a Dublin team.

THE growing practice of players feigning injury has led to a tough response from the GAA.

MICK O’RIORDAN and Tom Ryan have been appointed joint caretaker managers of the Dublin senior hurling team pending the appointment of a team manager.

All-Ireland winners Mayo have been rewarded for another awesome year on the football field with 11 nominations for the Ladies All Star awards.

Dublin football veteran Jim Gavin has finally called it a day and retired at the age of 32.