Anyone who thought we might get past an exhilarating game like Sunday's All

THEY scaled the summit for the fourth year running, generated more irrefutable evidence to back their claims to hurling greatness and yet Kilkenny manager Brian Cody yesterday vowed that there is more to come from his charges.

WE own the fastest and most spectacular ball game in the world in the code of hurling.

Anyone who thought we might get past an exhilarating game like Sunday’s All Ireland senior hurling final without controversy was sadly mistaken.

ITALY boss Marcello Lippi is targeting a four-point advantage when his side arrive in Dublin on October 10.

AFTER heading home the winner in the GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Saturday night, Irish captain Robbie Keane celebrated with four fingers raised on one hand and a zero formed with the finger and thumb of the other.

WHAT a contest!

AT this juncture it’s become a familiar September ritual for Brian Cody.

LAST WEEK Muhammad Ali came to town.

VERY little separates Henry Shefflin and Eoin Kelly.

LIAM SHEEDY’S body language told it all.

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS got their Magners League season off to a flying start with a three-try victory over a poor Ulster at Rodney Parade.

Carrigtwohill 3-12 Castlelyons 3-9

ONLY now can the full horrific story of ‘planegate’ be told.

Brian Cody doesn’t focus too much on his future with Kilkenny – but he’s always ready to look to the past and learn from it. He spoke to DIARMUID O’FLYNN

Tadhg De Brún’s memoirs will be in the shops soon. If you’re a GAA fan it’s essential for your library – after all, how many people do you know who have worked at 84 All-Ireland finals?

IT’S Conor Counihan’s conundrum.

AGONY.

THREE months ago to the day, May 16th, their league campaign over, Munster championship opener against Waterford still several weeks away, Limerick played Cork in a senior hurling challenge match.

FROM high in the south terrace or Curva Sud of the Stadio San Paulo, Napoli’s ultras hang a bespoke banner at every game. Stitched carefully into the sky-blue fabric is the poetic epithet: “I have seen him, now I can die”. The tifosi need not say who they mean.