Devotees of the traditional championship structure probably woke today with a thumping headache.

The Clare County Board executive refused to respond yesterday to reports that manager Davy Fitzgerald, Clare Champion journalist Peter O’Connell and Davy’s father, board secretary Pat Fitzgerald, were involved in an altercation in the tunnel following Saturday’s pulsating draw with Wexford in the All-Ireland hurling qualifiers.

LEINSTER SHC FINAL:

Just three years after taking up the whistle, Irish referee Helen O’Reilly has made it onto the biggest stage — the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

In sport and in life, everybody wants to be like Eddy Merckx – the outrageously gifted Belgian cyclist whose natural talent and extra-terrestrial strength allowed him to brush aside his rivals with contemptuous ease.

Clare 1-28 Cork 1-13

Mayo chairman Paddy McNicholas has hit out at the comments of the Cork management labelling the westerners as "good at tactical fouling" and "extremely streetwise".

Arsenal 1 Besiktas 0 (Arsenal win 1-0 on aggregate)

One man believes that Donegal will lift Sam Maguire again this year, and he’s even written it in stone.

Former tánaiste Michael McDowell has said "it is the business" of Taoiseach Enda Kenny to explain to the Dáil the controversial circumstances surrounding the resignation of the Garda Commissioner.

Cork SHC

IT WAS tough on Joe McHugh last week. Not a wet second into the job and already people were questioning his abilities.

Republic of Ireland 2 England 1

He’s served Katy Perry, Russell Brand, Lily Allen and other high-flying celebs at 35,000ft. Now Owen Beddall tells all about his time as a flight attendant in a new book. Hannah Stephenson reports

From Pet Shop Boys to Portishead, the impressive bill of fare at this year’s Electric Picnic caters for all musical tastes. Ed Power recommends some choice cuts.

Newtownshandrum 1-19 UCC 0-21

Maribor 1 Celtic 1

Anyone who thought Dr Doolittle was a load of rubbish may have to think again. Scientists have shown that animal “languages” are actually much more than just the simple sequences of grunts and whistles we assumed before.

Champions League Play-off, First Leg

Dolphins and whales literally squeal with pleasure, say scientists who claim to have shown that the sound expresses emotion.