They don’t come more modest than Rena Buckley and Briege Corkery.

Since Tom Brady and Deflategate earlier this year, the match ball in sport has come under scrutiny, but the chances of such an episode being repeated at Croke Park on Sunday are slim to none, writes John Fogarty

Cork captain Ciara O’Sullivan said her side’s experience was a key factor in winning yesterday’s tight All-Ireland ladies football final over Dublin, particularly when Dublin got within a point of her side in the second half.

Marquis De Sade wrote all his best work from his asylum cell. I really must try it sometime, especially since I might not have any choice with this team.

In the stands, on Hill 16 and wherever it was being watched on TV, long before Brian Gavin blew the last whistle, there was a knowing resignation that what we were witnessing was another victorious march towards an All-Ireland final for Kilkenny.

Derry City 0 Dundalk 2: Dundalk took full advantage of Cork City’s shock slip-up when boosting their back-to-back title hopes with a win at the Brandywell.

Hello, remember me? I’m the chap who used to write about Liverpool for the Examiner before some satellite TV flunky decided we’d make great Monday Night Heroes.

Denis Bastick has won All-Irelands, Leinster titles and Allianz Leagues in his decade with Dublin, but the midfielder hasn’t forgotten the low of 2009 when a season’s stint at full-back triggered a cascade of criticism in the wake of their quarter-final defeat to Kerry.

Sarsfields 0-17 Athy 1-12: Two behind entering injury time, 14-man Sarsfields scored four points without reply to seal the Kildare senior title for the second time in four years.

Midleton 3-6 Douglas 2-6: As the fog began to lift around the ground, Midleton’s Cian Murray lit up this Premier 1 U15 football championship final, scoring 1-5 as his side clinched their second title in two years in dramatic style.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has issued several safety recommendations in relation to a popular traditional sailing boat following a fatal capsizing incident off Cork.

Three-time champions De La Salle fended off a second-half revival from Ballygunner to collect their first win of the season in the Waterford SHC Round 3 at Walsh Park last night.

St Ronan’s, Lurgan 1-9 St Mary’s, Magherafelt 1-7

Limerick FC 0 Shamrock Rovers 1

As the country teeters on the precipice of a snap election over the mistreatment of whistleblower Maurice McCabe, another man who spoke up about wrongs within the public service is facing the sack from the Defence Forces — without a whisper from the majority of the political class.

Racing 92 star Yannick Nyanga admitted his side might not have beaten Munster without the presence of Donnacha Ryan.

No Red in his right mind should have been surprised when the final whistle blew last night. A week ago, I bluntly concluded here: “Defeat is the likeliest outcome for a Pogba-free United; I’d snatch your hand off for a draw.”

Celtic 0 Rosenborg 0: Celtic’s bid to reach the Champions League group stages stuttered with a goalless draw against Rosenborg in the first leg of their third-round qualifier at Parkhead.

At least we didn’t lose sight of the leaders. Beating Leicester keeps City and United within raha ha ha ha ha ha. Ah no, not with a straight face…