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.

THE mere fact of Dublin getting back to their first Bank of Ireland Leinster football final in three years doesn’t necessarily prove that Paul Caffrey was the best man to succeed Tommy Lyons as manager.

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

THE Italian and Irish flags were draped side by side in Feakle, Co Clare, as a capacity crowd squeezed into the community hall to witness a small miracle.

Tommy Lyons’ race-by-race guide to today’s Irish hopefuls

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.

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.

Ruby Walsh has declared the weekend’s inaugural Dublin Racing Festival a resounding success.

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.