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

SUNDAY has been a long time coming for John Gildea. The power-house midfielder has toiled with Donegal for the best part of a decade, yet Sunday will be his first All-Ireland semi-final.

Stephen Cluxton’s long-time auxiliary John Leonard’s award-winning Dub Sub Confidential autobiography last year gave the greatest insight into the goalkeeper. 

Current crop are a smart bunch, but not by any means a brilliant one. Yes, says Tommy Lyons

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.

Scoreboard To the chorus of voices who argue that counties have adopted a blasé approach to this league, given the threat of relegation is off the table, yesterday’s second half from Wexford Park should be made compulsory viewing.

TOMMY WALSH left the scene of his latest outstanding performance happy in the knowledge that his beloved Kerins O’Rahillys are on track to win their first ever AIB Munster Club SFC title.

Once seen as the preserve of only provincial and All-Ireland champions, the team holiday is fast becoming a common January past time. So who is going where in 2003? Mark Gallagher and Colm O’Connor investigate.

Jockey Ruby Walsh has admitted his surprise at the late decision by trainer Willie Mullins and owner Rich Ricci to run Vautour in Thursday’s Ryanair Chase rather than the Gold Cup, on Friday.