THEY tried to create a real sense of occasion yesterday. A record-breaking attendance of 54,432, bolstered by 13,000 freebies for schoolchildren, came to Croke Park.

LIMERICK will be without team captain Tommy Stack for their make-or-break Allianz National Football League clash with Armagh at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

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.

A TOP Ulster GAA official has called on managers and teams to take their share of responsibility for the red mist that has blighted many of this summer’s provincial football games.

DUBLIN manager Tommy Lyons promised plenty of fun and games at the upcoming training sessions as players will now have to battle for places following the fine displays of the substitutes introduced against Louth in yesterday’s Leinster championship tie.

Dublin 0-11 Westmeath 0-9

DUBLIN defender Stephen Hiney is bidding to overcome a serious eye injury and return to hurling.

Jim O'Sullivan

TREVOR GILES will appeal to the Leinster Council tonight against the four-week suspension that rules him out of Sunday’s Meath SFC final.

ARMAGH have made two changes for Saturday’s Bank of Ireland All-Ireland SFC qualifier with Dublin at Croke Park.

IT’S that time of year again in Dublin where the natives rummage around the closet for the Arnott’s jerseys and blue and navy car accessories assault the eyes on every street. Even the Hill is back in commission this year.

THERE is no prize for guessing which manager has most reason to be optimistic about the season ahead facing into tomorrow’s opening Allianz NFL encounter in Hyde Park.

ONLY last weekend, it seemed you couldn't give the job of Dublin manager away. But last night in Parnell Park Paul Caffrey was officially rubber-stamped as the man to take over the capital's senior footballers.

CORK’S disappointment at losing their Munster SHC title will be shortlived.

FOR a club so rich in terms of playing resources and facilities, Kilmacud Crokes would have ambitions to match their size.

LEADING inter-county managers have met with GAC chiefs in Croke Park to clarify regulations and thrash out solutions to a number of match day problems.

OF all the familiar faces that Offaly will field against Laois on Sunday, the most familiar will be pacing around at corner forward.

The Meath controversy is the latest episode of turmoil in the GAA world. Brendan O'Brien recalls troubled times over the past five years.

NA PIARSAIGH young lions John Gardiner and Setanta Ó hAilpín have been given starting positions on the Cork team for Sunday's glamour