PRESIDENT Sean McCague believes floodlit games could soon be an integral part of the GAA season.

PRESUMABLY it will take more than the return of charismatic manager Tommy Lyons to ensure Dublin footballers the victory in this evening’s Bank of Ireland football championship quarter-final replay in Croke Park.

IT’S the afternoon after the launch of his autobiography and Dessie Farrell has swapped the dapper suit for sweats and trainers as he pulls up a chair in the GPA’s offices in Drumcondra.

Dublin 3-9

TIPPERARY senior football manager Andy Shortall will get his first taste of competitive action with the Blue and Gold on Sunday when they line out against Clare in the McGrath Cup semi-final in Clonmel (2pm).

BRIAN MULLINS is odds-on favourite to be appointed coach to the Dublin footballers after GAA chiefs in the county laughed off suggestions that they had approached Mick O'Dwyer to replace Tommy Lyons.

TOMMY LYONS couldn’t resist. Dublin had just demolished Donegal and he was in particularly jocular mood. His captain, whose face had adorned the media dart board in the immediate aftermath of the drawn game, had a stormer.

DUBLIN senior footballers will sport the new adidas Predator boot when they take to the Croke Park pitch against Roscommon in their football qualifier on Sunday.

LIMERICK have added Mayo player Maurice Horan to their squad and he is expected to make his debut against Waterford in the McGrath Cup semi-final on Sunday week.

TIPPERARY introduce three newcomers for their opening game in the Allianz National Hurling League against Offaly at Birr on Sunday.

Garvan and Clancy? Much like the Laois footballers, you mightn’t have heard much about them before this summer odyssey. But that’s all changed. Mark Gallagher reports.

Dublin 2-13 Kildare 2-11

JOHNNY MAGEE is slimmed for success and rearing to go for Monday's All-Ireland quarter final, back in harness after an injury exile.

THE flags are out in force, stapled to every second car window that goes by, the jerseys crowd Henry street, the city is brimming with confidence.

THE hurling season got underway yesterday, as it ended last September, with Kilkenny manager Brian Cody centre stage as Allianz celebrated the beginning of its 10th national league in the Berkeley Court Hotel, Dublin.

TOMMY LYONS has been keeping a low media profile so far this summer, but yesterday he took it to extraordinary lengths.

THE season didn’t end for all the Dublin players when Ray Cosgrove’s free agonizingly hit off the post last Sunday, as this weekend in Cavan, seven of the senior panel will be togged out in the Sky Blue again.

LIMERICK have kept faith with the side that agonisingly lost the Allianz National Football League Division 2 final for next Sunday’s opening game in the Munster senior football championship against Cork at Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

Armagh 0-15

IN years to come, they will remember it as The Brady Final.