Looking ahead to the thetote.com Galway Plate and the Guinness Galway Hurdle – the twin features of this week’s Galway festival – Ruby Walsh talks to racing correspondent Tommy Lyons.

Laois’ summer odyssey is over but they got to finish on terms that were perfectly acceptable given this was an All-Ireland quarter-final and their opponents were one of the game’s blue bloods.

The seamless manner in which Waterford’s new hurling management has clicked with the players augers well for a third league final appearance in five years, according to former Déise defender Brian Flannery.

The sun shone, David Clifford returned after months on the sideline to dazzle us all with his bountiful gifts and, when all was said and done, Kerry had booked a place in next week’s league final against Mayo with ne’er a hint of fuss.

Not exactly get out of jail but Waterford gave Galway the slip thanks to a slack second-half from the Tribesmen in Nowlan Park.

Ireland Under-20 Grand Slam winner Rob Russell got among the tries as Dublin University claimed the scalp of All-Ireland League leaders Cork Constitution to take a step closer to a historic semi-final place.

The appeals board approved the apartment plan in spite of the strong recommendation by its own inspector to refuse planning.

Fame And Glory proved himself on course for the defence of his Ascot Gold Cup crown when getting the better of gallant mare Unaccompanied in the listed Vintage Crop Stakes in Navan yesterday.

Last year’s defeated Cork County SHC finalists CIT advanced to the fourth round of this year’s competition as they saw off Carbery at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

Ahaaly, trained for Hamdan Al Maktoum by Kevin Prendergast, built on her promising debut run against Shebella at Limerick when romping to an impressive odds-on victory in the www.dundalkstradium.com Maiden in Dundalk last night.

Mark Sherlock’s early header was enough to give Athlone Town their fourth win of the campaign at Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway last night.

This was not the return to the Premier Division which Cork City were hoping for on a night in which a defensive lapse and a couple of squandered chances for the visitors meant that a well-organised UCD deservedly emerged with the spoils in what was, overall, a disappointing game at the Belfield Bowl.

Former top jockey Tommy Carmody made a dream return to the training ranks, ten years after his last winner, when Miss Mediator landed the opening bookings@dundalkstadium.com Fillies Maiden in Dundalk last night.

RICHMOND took another step closer to winning their third Munster Junior League title with an 11-5 victory over nearest challengers Galbally in a Division 1 top of the table clash at the Limerick venue.

DAVID HENRY won’t be follow in the footsteps of Conal Keaney, Shane Ryan and Ross O’Carroll and switch to the Dublin hurlers after deciding to end his inter-county football career.

Bravest coaching call, any sport?

Tyrone blitzed Fermanagh last night at Brewster Park to set up an Ulster U21 FC first round proper tie with Donegal.

The GAA have declined to comment on Tommy Lyons’ allegation that he was asked to name his price in an interview for the Mayo job.

Cork senior hurling selector Seanie McGrath says Seán Óg Ó hAilpín has “trained superbly” since returning to the Rebels squad and will be expected to help his rookie midfield partner, Darren Sweetnam, through tomorrow’s Allianz HL opener against Waterford.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Kissed romped to an impressive win in the listed Salsabil Stakes in Navan yesterday and, as a result, hardened to 5/1 for the Invetsec Oaks at Epsom.