At last the hype is over and the British and Irish Lions are back in business.

The last ever meeting of County Cork VEC will take place today under the shadow of a dispute regarding an allegation that it covered up controversies.

A goalkeeper who was shot in the head during a match only realised he’d been hit by a bullet after finishing the match.

Not a result that will go down in history but one that should offer optimism for the future.

England 1 Republic of Ireland 1

“We’re all good footballers,” is a line a Dublin player would be reluctant to utter in bygone seasons for fear of being interpreted as big-headed.

Crystal Palace 1 Watford 0 (AET)

I retired two weeks ago from Semple Stadium. Even though you’re officially the groundsman, there’s a lot to do that doesn’t involve marking out the 65s or looking after the playing surface.

London 1-12 Sligo 0-14

Brendan Devenney spent a decade trying in vain to get his hands on an Ulster medal. Now his old Donegal team-mate and fellow amateur DJ Jim McGuinness has brought the county to the promised land, sparking feelings of fierce pride — and regret.

SCOTTISH CUP FINAL:

It would be the perfect way to mark a significant milestone.

ULSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL:

Tipperary legend Brendan Cummins brought the curtain down on a glittering inter-county career last evening – with a record 73 SHC appearances under his belt.

A planning application to transform the State’s largest toxic waste dump into vast public parkland as part of a €40m clean-up is due to be lodged within weeks.

Republic of Ireland 3 Kazakhstan 1

Team selection may still be up in the air following Munster’s embarrassing defeat to Edinburgh but whoever faces Gloucester at Thomond Park on Saturday, head coach Rob Penney will send out a side desperate to atone for that shock Heineken Cup defeat.

Team selection may still be up in the air following Munster’s embarrassing defeat to Edinburgh but whoever faces Gloucester at Thomond Park on Saturday, head coach Rob Penney will send out a side desperate to atone for that shock Heineken Cup defeat.

St Patrick’s Athletic 2 Sligo Rovers 0

Connacht 9 Toulouse 37