Football team of the week
1. Gary Connaughton (Westmeath) – Huge kicking and vital saves when required.
2. Frank McGlynn (Donegal) – Crucial defending at times. Superb counter-attacking force
3. Finian Hanley (Galway) – Finneran gave him trouble but accounted for him nicely, a fine full-back display
4. Pádraig Browne (Limerick) – Coped with a larger opponent admirably, got around the park and made presence felt.
5. Gareth Bradshaw (Galway) – One of Galway’s best attackers, on this string of form, a shoo-in for an All-Star
6. Michael Quinn (Longford) – Physically imposing and has a great style of playing football. Key to Longford’s success
7. Ray Finnegan (Louth) – Both defence and attck was very good, crucial score at a crucial time
8. John Heslin (Westmeath) – Beat Paddy Keenan in midfield and scored freely. Trojan effort and deserved man of the match
9. Rory Kavanagh (Donegal) – Three points on his 100th game. Put himself about tirelessly
10. Joe Bergin (Galway) – All over the field, effortless passing and impressive link play. One to keep an eye on.
11. Paul Barden (Longford) – Scored the goal that brought his team back into it, numerous crucial interventions in the game. Unmatched work-rate
12. Gary Sice (Galway) – 1-3, 1-1 from someone that was expected to be a negative force. Didn’t give his marker a minute’s peace.
13. Colm McFadden (Donegal) – Essentialy won the game for Donegal as he contributed 1-6, including well-taken goal.
14. Paul Conroy (Galway) – Found his home at centre-forward. Great awareness and game-play mentality. Passing, tackling and scoring all present.
15. Ian Ryan (Limerick) – 1-1 from play and another six points from frees. On his way back to his best. Limerick’s leading light.

Special mention to Padraig Joyce and Michael Meehan who came on as subs and were both superb.

Weekend GAA round up
Sunday saw the beginning of the first round matches in the quest to crown this year’s All-Ireland Football champions. A team can’t win the title in the first week but they can lay down a marker of intent and momentum is key to any championship run.

It may have taken a while for Longford to get going in their Leinster Football Championship first round match against Laois but a strong second half performance saw them progress to the quarter final stage.

Gary Walsh was in fine form for the Déise as they led by six points at half time but a remarkable turnaround by the Larries was initiated by Paul Barden seconds after the restart and Longford went on to record their first win over Laois since 1968 by a single point.

Danny O’Connor was the man of the moment as he was sprung from the bench to score an injury-time goal for Louth as they beat Westmeath in Navan. Despite leading through Ronan O’Carroll’s first half goal at half time, the Lake County showed their profligacy in front of goal and fluffed numerous chances in the second period.
John Heslin kicked three points, including the all-important winner, to set up a quarter-final date with All-Ireland champions Dublin.

Ulster champions, Donegal, made hard work of their encounter with Cavan at Breffni Park to advance to the next round of the championship.

Despite starting well enough, Cavan couldn’t hold on to their lead, as Conor McFadden hit 1-06, which included a penalty, to drag Donegal into the quarter-finals.

Ian Ryan was the leading light for Limerick as he contributed eight points in their 2-10 to 0-07 win over Waterford at the Gaelic Grounds.

Waterford looked lethargic as they put in a very lacklustre display against their Munster counterparts but Ryan looked anything but, as he led the way for Limerick and helped them book a date with Clare in the next round.
Galway put in the most comprehensive performance of the day as they hammered Roscommon by fourteen points. Pádraic Joyce and Michael Meehan both came off the bench to put in impressive displays as Mark Hehir, Paul Conroy and Gary Sice all found the net and there was a clear winner for score of the day as Gareth Bradshaw hit a sumptuous point to put them seven points clear.

So what have we learned so far?
It seems that the key to Donegal’s success will again be their physicality. Expect more of the same as last season, as, McFadden aside, the Tír Connell men will look to play a negative style of football against better opposition. Derry will be a much sterner test.

Limerick have a real chance of a Munster final spot as they won’t meet Cork or Kerry until the final and will be confident of accounting for Clare.

The return of Meehan and Joyce, combined with a real ruthless streak in front of goal, show that Galway are the team to beat in Connacht. Sligo will do well to hold them.

Both Longford and Louth showed real heart and tenacity to win their games by the minimum. The Larries will fancy their chances against Wexford, however, Louth will be huge underdogs as Dublin look to kickstart the defence of their Leinster crown on June 6th.

Addressing attendees at the Killarney Bureau meeting of the European People’s Party, Ireland South MEP, Sean Kelly stressed that EU Tourism policy should protect consumers against unjust price hikes surrounding major sporting events like airfares and hotel costs during the Euro 2012 games.

“With regard to tourism related to large sporting events, we need to keep a watchful eye on unscrupulous travel and accommodation operators who jack up prices to take advantage of travelling supporters – this leaves a sour taste in the mouth of thousands of devoted sports fans,” Mr Kelly said.

Concerns had been voiced ahead of this weekend’s Heineken Cup Final ( airline charges) and the Euro 2012 tournament (exceptionally high hotel costs) . Nearer home, the ‘Irish Independent’ drew attention to an additional 20 percent mark up fee applied by THG Sports Tours Limited a wholly owned subsidiary of the Marcus Evans Group and the Olympic Council of Ireland’s Official ticket agency in respect of the forthcoming Olympic Games in London. The ‘Irish Independent’ reported that ‘the Consumers Association of Ireland (CAI) criticised the high booking surcharge’.

“It’s out of all relation to the costs as these are not exactly a hard sell. I appreciate it’s not the company that sets the charges, but the London Olympics do seem to have imposed unnecessarily high surcharges, given the tickets are already massively expensive,” CAI chief executive Dermot Jewell told ‘The Irish Independent’ though THG Managing Director James Sinton defended the ‘add on’ fees saying that the booking fee was reasonable and pointed out that the Company ‘made a significant contribution to support the Olympic Council of Ireland during the Games’.

“We have to get something for the work involved in selling these tickets,” he concluded.

Ryan’s final tally 1-8 delighted the home fans in the sparse attendance but for the  Deise men it is back to the drawing board  after this most disappointing of displays especially in the second half.

Limerick manager Maurice Horan will have seen much to encourage him though they too will need to step up their performance if they are to defeat Clare at the same venue on June 9th.

The Limerick defence stood firm throughout a second period in which the  Deise did not trouble the scoreboard attendant from either play or from frees.

The afternoon had started brightly for Waterford, two points to the good with but three minutes on the clock, those scores from Hutchinson and Ferncombe .Then the tide turned and from then on it was destined to be Limerick’s

day with Ryan leading from the front.

His two points in quick succession brought the sides level before Tony Grey  put Waterford back in the lead. A Ryan point from a free brought the teams back on an equal footing once more – that point after he had been fouled .

All- Ireland handball champion Seamus Carroll got Limerick’s opening goal after Kieran Cotter in the Waterford goal had made a good save only for the ball to rebound to Carroll who blasted it home from close range.

Half time came with the Shannonsiders leading by the narrowest of margin’s 1-5 to 0-7 but even then they looked to be well on their way to victory in a disappointing encounter which will not have caused any watching Cork or

Kerry mentors any anxiety on that showing.

Arguably the turning point of the game came within the opening minutes of the second period when Waterford’s Mark Ferncombe was needlessly brought down and goalkeeper Brian Scanlon brought off a good save albeit  from a

poorly  taken penalty by Ferncombe himself.

Any small opportunity of a Waterford comeback – not that they ever looked like staging one – completely disappeared with  Ryan’s goal which put clear light between the sides some two minutes from time.

Ryan was Limerick’s ‘man of the match’  in front of  a  meagre  2,341 attendance – who got little value for money -  but he had good support from Collins, O’Carroll,and substitute Kelly whilst Grey stood out for a poor Deise side

assisted by  Ahearne and Hutchinson.

Waterford  surely will not play as poorly again when the  qualifiers come. That both sides languish in Division 4 of the Allianz League was evident from this match.

On target: - Limerick: I Ryan 1-08 (0-07f), S O’Carroll 1-00, G Collins 0-02, S Kelly, J Cooke 0-01 each

Waterford: JJ Hutchinson, T Grey, M Ferncombe 0-02 each, S Ahearne 0-1

Limerick : B Scanlon; J McCarthy, P Browne, L O’Dwyer; S Lavin, J Riordan, P Ranahan; T Lee, P Kinnerk; E Barry, E O’Connor, S Buckley; G Collins , S O’Carroll , I Ryan. Subs: I Corbett for Barry (34 mins), J O’Meara for Kinnerk (48 mins), S Kelly for O’Carroll (54 mins), J Cooke  for Lee (63 mins), S Lucey for Ranahan (68 mins).

Waterford : K Cotter; M O’Gorman, T O’Gorman, K Connery; W Hennessy, T Grey, S Briggs; S Ahearne ), S O’Hare; P Hurney, S Dempsey, C O’Keeffe; T Prendergast, JJ Hutchinson , M Ferncombe ). Subs: J Veale, P Whyte, S Fleming for Ferncombe, Dempsey and Hutchinson ( 60 mins).

The attendance, the highest in the Preliminary round for three years, saw Terry Hyland’s Cavan side take an early 0-03 to 0-01 lead thanks to points from Jack Brady, David Givney and Eugene Keating, Rory Kavanagh responding for the 2011 Ulster Champions.

Donegal eventually found their rhythm with Colm McFadden and Mark McHugh both scoring to level matters.

Keating added his second of the afternoon to put his side at 0-04 to 0-03 with just over ten minutes gone however crucially for the home side that was to be their last score of the first half as Donegal showed their experience to take control of the game.

Full back Neil McGee levelled matters for Donegal before points from McFadden, Kavanagh and Leo McLoone put Jim McGuinness’s side 0-07 to 0-04 ahead.

With the game heading towards half time a long ball into the Cavan goal saw Killian Clarke foul Patrick McBearty to give McFadden a golden opportunity from the penalty spot, which he duly accepted to put Donegal 1-07 to 0-04 in front.

Donegal’s dominance continued after the break when McFadden took his tally for the day to 1-03 with another point to extend the lead to seven points. McHugh then added another as Donegal threatened to run riot.

Cavan eventually ended their wait for a score when they netted a point from the substitute Niall McDermott only for Donegal to move 1-10 to 0-05 ahead thanks to scores from Frank McGlynn.

Givney added his second and Cavan’s 6th of the day before Donegal added a couple of scores of their own to reconfirm their dominance.

A penalty from McDermott, the second penalty of the day, offered hope of a late fight back by Cavan however McFadden finished the game off for Donegal with two successive free’s before Keating capped a fine individual performance with two late scores to add some respectability to the score

In the end Donegal were good value for their 1-16 to 1-10 win and they will now play Derry in the Championship quarter-finals on Saturday, 16 June in what will be a repeat of the 2011 Ulster final

Cavan meanwhile will once again have to go through the qualifiers

Follow @sportnewsire

more to follow

Team News
Roscommon: Geoffrey Claffey; Seánie McDermott, Niall Carty, Seán Purcell; Cathal Dineen, Peter Domican, Ian Kilbride; Michael Finneran, Karol Mannion; David Keenan, Cathal Cregg, John Rogers; Senan Kilbride, Darren McDermott, Donie Shine.

Galway: Adrian Faherty; Kieran McGrath, Finian Hanley (Capt), Keith Kelly; Garreth Bradshaw, Johnny Duane, Gary O’Donnell; Joe Bergin, Greg Higgins; Gary Sice, Damien Burke, Thomas Flynn; Sean Armstrong, Paul Conroy, Mark Hehir.

Leinster SFC first round
Westmeath 0-14 2-09 Louth, Páirc Tailteann FT
Longford 1-10 0-12 Laois, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park FT

Connacht SFC quarter-final
Roscommon 0-10 3-15 Galway, Dr Hyde Park FT

Munster SFC quarter-final
Limerick 2-12 0-07 Waterford, Gaelic Grounds FT

Ulster SFC first round
Cavan 1-10 1-16 Donegal, Kingspan Breffni Park FT

Live commentary

5:33pm Galway beat Roscommon by fourteen points.
5:29pm Paul Conroy gets another point, three minutes injury time.
5:25pm Five minutes left in Hyde Park.
5:23pm Great play from Meehan and Joyce, Gary Sice gets a GOAL for Galway.
5:22pm Ciaran McGrath brings Galway back to an eleven point lead.
5:21pm Lovely point for Meehan.
5:15pm Roscommon are now nine points down with 16minutes to play.
5:11pm Michael Meehan who has had so many injuries scores for Galway.
5:10pm Louth beat Westmeath with that injury time goal
5:08pm Daniel O’Connor GOAL for Louth, they are now leading by one.
5:06pm Longford stage a great comeback, the beat Loais for the first time since 1968.
5:05pm Reigning Ulster champions Donegal beat Cavan by six points.
5:03pm Another score for Paul Conroy against Roscommon
5:02pm Brian Kavanagh gives Longford a two point lead.
5:01pm Ronan Carroll gives Westmeath a two point lead, there is 8min of injury time.
5:00pm Limerick win by eleven against Waterford.
4:59pm O’Gara gets Roscommon back to within six.
4:58pm Donie Shine gets the first score of the second half in Hyde Park.
4:57pm Ian Ryan puts Limerick into a semi-final, great GOAL
4:56pm There will be a lot of injury time in Pairc Tailteann.
4:55pm About to go into injury time in our 3:30pm throw ins.
4:54pm Ger Collins gives Limerick six points up.
4:52pm Longford now lead against Laois. McCormack with the point.
4:51pm Penalty for Cavan is scored. GOAL, they are now six points down.
4:50pm Stephen Kelly puts Limerick five points up.
4:49pm Its all level in Pearse Park, great comeback by Longford. Mickey Quinn with the score.
4:48pm Waterford yet to score in the second half.
4:46pm Darran Clarke gets Louth back to within two.
4:43pm Stunning second half so far for Westmeath, they now lead by three points.
4:42pm Just over twenty minutes to play in the 3:30pm kick offs.
4:41pm Giveny scores and Donegal are still seven point up.
4:40pm Senen Kilbride point leaves Roscommon eight down at half time.
4:38pm Ger Collins puts Limerick three up.
4:37pm Cathal Cregg gets a score for Roscommon.
4:36pm Munnelly puts Laois four up against Longford.
4:34pm McDermott extends the Donegal lead.
4:32pm Donegal extend there lead to seven points.
4:31pm Ian Ryan puts Limerick two up.
4:30pm Longford get a much needed GOAL through Paul Barden.
4:29pm Waterford have a penalty saved, Mark Ferncombe misses.
4:28pm Joe Bergin gives Galway an eleven point lead.
4:27pm Westmeath get the first point of the second half.
4:27pm Gary Sice gets his first score from play for Galway.
4:26pm Senan Kilbride gets Roscommons first score in twenty minutes.
4:26pm Just over 2,300 in attendance in the Gaelic Grounds.
4:23pm Paul Conroy gets the second GOAL for Galway.
4:21pm Stunning point from Gareth Bradshaw for Galway.
4:19pm Gary Sice kicks another free for Galway, could of been a penalty.
4:17pm Gary Sice free gives them a five point lead.
4:15pm Sean Armstrong gives Galway a four point lead.
4:14pm Mark Herhir scores a GOAL for Galway
4:11pm Paul Conroy levels it up for Galway, great score
4:09pm Louth are two up at half time and will have the breeze in the second half.
4:08pm Shane Ahern scores and Limerick go in one point up at half time.
4:07pm Conor Doyle gives Laois a six point lead over Longford.
4:06pm Dereck Crilly gives Louth a three point lead.
4:06pm Karl Mannion gives Roscommon the lead.
4:05pm Colm McFadden scores a penalty for Donegal.
4:04pm Senan Kilbride levels it up for Roscommon.
4:04pm Ian Corbett gives Limerick a one point lead.
4:02pm Billy Sheehan gets Longford back to within four of Laois.
4:02pm Eric Bradshaw scores a point for Galway after twenty seven seconds.
4:01pm Ronan Carroll gets a GOAL for Louth
4:00pm Donegal now lead Cavan by three points.
3:59pm Darren Strong point leaves Laois four up against Longford.
3:57pm Tony Grey gets Waterford to within one point of Limerick.
3:55pm Ray Finegan puts Louth in front for the first time.
3:54pm JJ Hutchinson gets a point back for Waterford.
3:53pm Donegal go in front for the first time against Cavan.
3:52pm Gary Walsh gets his second point of the day and Laois now lead by four.
3:51pm Seamus O’Carroll gets a GOAL for Limerick.
3:50pm Ronan Carroll levels it up for Louth.
3:49pm Paul Barden restores Laois’ three point lead.
3:48pm Louth are doing very well considering they are playing against a strong wind.
3:47pm Its all level in the Gaelic grounds and Breffni park.
3:44pm Darren Strong gives Laois a three points to no score lead.
3:43pm Darran Clarke pulls one back for Louth.
3:42pm John Heslin kicks his third point for Westmeath, they now lead by two points.
3:41pm Eugene Keating gives Cavan a two point lead.
3:41pm Tony Grey puts Waterford back in front.
3:40pm Ian Ryan levels it up for Limerick against Waterford.
3:39pm Ian Ryan opens the scoring for Limerick.
3:38pm David Givney scores for Cavan, they now lead 0-02 0-01.
3:37pm Colm Begley opens the scoring for Laois against Longford.
3:35pm Jack Brady gives Cavan the lead against Donegal.
3:32pm Mark Ferncombe doubles the Waterford lead.
3:31pm JJ Hutchinson opens the scoring in the Gaelic Grounds for Waterford.
3:30pm We have four matches under way.
3:28pm Two Cavan changes. Killian Clarke & Jason McLoughlin for John McCutcheon & Niall Smith.
3:25pm JJ Hutchinson replaces Sean Fleming, Sean Dempsey replaces Paul Whyte for Waterford.
3:12pm Mayo juniors easily beat Galway.
3:05pm Donegal minors beat Cavan by four points.
2:52pm Donegal lead Cavan minors by three points with ten minutes to play.
2:45pm Waterford junior football team beat Limerick by six points.
2:40pm Just as in seemed Cavan were getting into the match, Donegal score a goal.
2:26pm Colin Dempsey scored the goal for Mayo juniors
2:18pm Donegal now lead by three points.
2:17pm Great game between Cavan and Donegal minors.
2:03pm Donegal lead Cavan by one point after twenty minutes.
12:38pm We have live commentary from all of todays Gaelic football matches.

More to follow

Team News
Longford: D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, D Reilly; C Smyth, M Quinn, S Mulligan; B McElvaney, J Keegan; D Barden, P Barden, N Mulligan; D McElligot, S McCormack, B Kavanagh.

Laois: D Culliton; C Healy, K Lillis, P O’Leary; D Strong, S Julian, C Boyle; J O’Loughlin, B Quigley; K Meaney, B Sheehan, C Begley; R Munnelly, P Clancy, G Walsh.

Leinster SFC first round
Westmeath 0-14 2-09 Louth, Páirc Tailteann FT
Longford 1-10 0-12 Laois, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park FT

Connacht SFC quarter-final
Roscommon 0-10 3-15 Galway, Dr Hyde Park FT

Munster SFC quarter-final
Limerick 2-12 0-07 Waterford, Gaelic Grounds FT

Ulster SFC first round
Cavan 1-10 1-16 Donegal, Kingspan Breffni Park FT

Live commentary

5:33pm Galway beat Roscommon by fourteen points.
5:29pm Paul Conroy gets another point, three minutes injury time.
5:25pm Five minutes left in Hyde Park.
5:23pm Great play from Meehan and Joyce, Gary Sice gets a GOAL for Galway.
5:22pm Ciaran McGrath brings Galway back to an eleven point lead.
5:21pm Lovely point for Meehan.
5:15pm Roscommon are now nine points down with 16minutes to play.
5:11pm Michael Meehan who has had so many injuries scores for Galway.
5:10pm Louth beat Westmeath with that injury time goal
5:08pm Daniel O’Connor GOAL for Louth, they are now leading by one.
5:06pm Longford stage a great comeback, the beat Loais for the first time since 1968.
5:05pm Reigning Ulster champions Donegal beat Cavan by six points.
5:03pm Another score for Paul Conroy against Roscommon
5:02pm Brian Kavanagh gives Longford a two point lead.
5:01pm Ronan Carroll gives Westmeath a two point lead, there is 8min of injury time.
5:00pm Limerick win by eleven against Waterford.
4:59pm O’Gara gets Roscommon back to within six.
4:58pm Donie Shine gets the first score of the second half in Hyde Park.
4:57pm Ian Ryan puts Limerick into a semi-final, great GOAL
4:56pm There will be a lot of injury time in Pairc Tailteann.
4:55pm About to go into injury time in our 3:30pm throw ins.
4:54pm Ger Collins gives Limerick six points up.
4:52pm Longford now lead against Laois. McCormack with the point.
4:51pm Penalty for Cavan is scored. GOAL, they are now six points down.
4:50pm Stephen Kelly puts Limerick five points up.
4:49pm Its all level in Pearse Park, great comeback by Longford. Mickey Quinn with the score.
4:48pm Waterford yet to score in the second half.
4:46pm Darran Clarke gets Louth back to within two.
4:43pm Stunning second half so far for Westmeath, they now lead by three points.
4:42pm Just over twenty minutes to play in the 3:30pm kick offs.
4:41pm Giveny scores and Donegal are still seven point up.
4:40pm Senen Kilbride point leaves Roscommon eight down at half time.
4:38pm Ger Collins puts Limerick three up.
4:37pm Cathal Cregg gets a score for Roscommon.
4:36pm Munnelly puts Laois four up against Longford.
4:34pm McDermott extends the Donegal lead.
4:32pm Donegal extend there lead to seven points.
4:31pm Ian Ryan puts Limerick two up.
4:30pm Longford get a much needed GOAL through Paul Barden.
4:29pm Waterford have a penalty saved, Mark Ferncombe misses.
4:28pm Joe Bergin gives Galway an eleven point lead.
4:27pm Westmeath get the first point of the second half.
4:27pm Gary Sice gets his first score from play for Galway.
4:26pm Senan Kilbride gets Roscommons first score in twenty minutes.
4:26pm Just over 2,300 in attendance in the Gaelic Grounds.
4:23pm Paul Conroy gets the second GOAL for Galway.
4:21pm Stunning point from Gareth Bradshaw for Galway.
4:19pm Gary Sice kicks another free for Galway, could of been a penalty.
4:17pm Gary Sice free gives them a five point lead.
4:15pm Sean Armstrong gives Galway a four point lead.
4:14pm Mark Herhir scores a GOAL for Galway
4:11pm Paul Conroy levels it up for Galway, great score
4:09pm Louth are two up at half time and will have the breeze in the second half.
4:08pm Shane Ahern scores and Limerick go in one point up at half time.
4:07pm Conor Doyle gives Laois a six point lead over Longford.
4:06pm Dereck Crilly gives Louth a three point lead.
4:06pm Karl Mannion gives Roscommon the lead.
4:05pm Colm McFadden scores a penalty for Donegal.
4:04pm Senan Kilbride levels it up for Roscommon.
4:04pm Ian Corbett gives Limerick a one point lead.
4:02pm Billy Sheehan gets Longford back to within four of Laois.
4:02pm Eric Bradshaw scores a point for Galway after twenty seven seconds.
4:01pm Ronan Carroll gets a GOAL for Louth
4:00pm Donegal now lead Cavan by three points.
3:59pm Darren Strong point leaves Laois four up against Longford.
3:57pm Tony Grey gets Waterford to within one point of Limerick.
3:55pm Ray Finegan puts Louth in front for the first time.
3:54pm JJ Hutchinson gets a point back for Waterford.
3:53pm Donegal go in front for the first time against Cavan.
3:52pm Gary Walsh gets his second point of the day and Laois now lead by four.
3:51pm Seamus O’Carroll gets a GOAL for Limerick.
3:50pm Ronan Carroll levels it up for Louth.
3:49pm Paul Barden restores Laois’ three point lead.
3:48pm Louth are doing very well considering they are playing against a strong wind.
3:47pm Its all level in the Gaelic grounds and Breffni park.
3:44pm Darren Strong gives Laois a three points to no score lead.
3:43pm Darran Clarke pulls one back for Louth.
3:42pm John Heslin kicks his third point for Westmeath, they now lead by two points.
3:41pm Eugene Keating gives Cavan a two point lead.
3:41pm Tony Grey puts Waterford back in front.
3:40pm Ian Ryan levels it up for Limerick against Waterford.
3:39pm Ian Ryan opens the scoring for Limerick.
3:38pm David Givney scores for Cavan, they now lead 0-02 0-01.
3:37pm Colm Begley opens the scoring for Laois against Longford.
3:35pm Jack Brady gives Cavan the lead against Donegal.
3:32pm Mark Ferncombe doubles the Waterford lead.
3:31pm JJ Hutchinson opens the scoring in the Gaelic Grounds for Waterford.
3:30pm We have four matches under way.
3:28pm Two Cavan changes. Killian Clarke & Jason McLoughlin for John McCutcheon & Niall Smith.
3:25pm JJ Hutchinson replaces Sean Fleming, Sean Dempsey replaces Paul Whyte for Waterford.
3:12pm Mayo juniors easily beat Galway.
3:05pm Donegal minors beat Cavan by four points.
2:52pm Donegal lead Cavan minors by three points with ten minutes to play.
2:45pm Waterford junior football team beat Limerick by six points.
2:40pm Just as in seemed Cavan were getting into the match, Donegal score a goal.
2:26pm Colin Dempsey scored the goal for Mayo juniors
2:18pm Donegal now lead by three points.
2:17pm Great game between Cavan and Donegal minors.
2:03pm Donegal lead Cavan by one point after twenty minutes.
12:38pm We have live commentary from all of todays Gaelic football matches.

More to follow

Scorers for Louth: Darren Clarke 0-4(2f), Ronan Carroll 1-02, Ray Finnegan 0-01, Derek Crilly 0-02, Dan O’Connor 1-0

Team News
Louth : Neil Gallagher; Padraig Rath, Liam Shevlin, Gerard Hoey; Ray Finnegan, Jamie Carr, Declan Byrne; Paddy Keenan, Ronan Carroll; Derek Crilly, Mark Brennan, Adrian Reid; Derek Maguire, Jim McEneaney, Darren Clarke.

Westmeath : G Connaughton (captain); M Curley, J Gaffey, K Maguire; D Harte, M Ennis, D McDermott; P Bannon, J Heslin; K Martin G Egan, J Dolan; Denis Glennon, David Glennon, P Sharry.

Leinster SFC first round
Westmeath 0-14 2-09 Louth, Páirc Tailteann FT
Longford 1-10 0-12 Laois, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park FT

Connacht SFC quarter-final
Roscommon 0-10 3-15 Galway, Dr Hyde Park FT

Munster SFC quarter-final
Limerick 2-12 0-07 Waterford, Gaelic Grounds FT

Ulster SFC first round
Cavan 1-10 1-16 Donegal, Kingspan Breffni Park FT

Live commentary

5:33pm Galway beat Roscommon by fourteen points.
5:29pm Paul Conroy gets another point, three minutes injury time.
5:25pm Five minutes left in Hyde Park.
5:23pm Great play from Meehan and Joyce, Gary Sice gets a GOAL for Galway.
5:22pm Ciaran McGrath brings Galway back to an eleven point lead.
5:21pm Lovely point for Meehan.
5:15pm Roscommon are now nine points down with 16minutes to play.
5:11pm Michael Meehan who has had so many injuries scores for Galway.
5:10pm Louth beat Westmeath with that injury time goal
5:08pm Daniel O’Connor GOAL for Louth, they are now leading by one.
5:06pm Longford stage a great comeback, the beat Loais for the first time since 1968.
5:05pm Reigning Ulster champions Donegal beat Cavan by six points.
5:03pm Another score for Paul Conroy against Roscommon
5:02pm Brian Kavanagh gives Longford a two point lead.
5:01pm Ronan Carroll gives Westmeath a two point lead, there is 8min of injury time.
5:00pm Limerick win by eleven against Waterford.
4:59pm O’Gara gets Roscommon back to within six.
4:58pm Donie Shine gets the first score of the second half in Hyde Park.
4:57pm Ian Ryan puts Limerick into a semi-final, great GOAL
4:56pm There will be a lot of injury time in Pairc Tailteann.
4:55pm About to go into injury time in our 3:30pm throw ins.
4:54pm Ger Collins gives Limerick six points up.
4:52pm Longford now lead against Laois. McCormack with the point.
4:51pm Penalty for Cavan is scored. GOAL, they are now six points down.
4:50pm Stephen Kelly puts Limerick five points up.
4:49pm Its all level in Pearse Park, great comeback by Longford. Mickey Quinn with the score.
4:48pm Waterford yet to score in the second half.
4:46pm Darran Clarke gets Louth back to within two.
4:43pm Stunning second half so far for Westmeath, they now lead by three points.
4:42pm Just over twenty minutes to play in the 3:30pm kick offs.
4:41pm Giveny scores and Donegal are still seven point up.
4:40pm Senen Kilbride point leaves Roscommon eight down at half time.
4:38pm Ger Collins puts Limerick three up.
4:37pm Cathal Cregg gets a score for Roscommon.
4:36pm Munnelly puts Laois four up against Longford.
4:34pm McDermott extends the Donegal lead.
4:32pm Donegal extend there lead to seven points.
4:31pm Ian Ryan puts Limerick two up.
4:30pm Longford get a much needed GOAL through Paul Barden.
4:29pm Waterford have a penalty saved, Mark Ferncombe misses.
4:28pm Joe Bergin gives Galway an eleven point lead.
4:27pm Westmeath get the first point of the second half.
4:27pm Gary Sice gets his first score from play for Galway.
4:26pm Senan Kilbride gets Roscommons first score in twenty minutes.
4:26pm Just over 2,300 in attendance in the Gaelic Grounds.
4:23pm Paul Conroy gets the second GOAL for Galway.
4:21pm Stunning point from Gareth Bradshaw for Galway.
4:19pm Gary Sice kicks another free for Galway, could of been a penalty.
4:17pm Gary Sice free gives them a five point lead.
4:15pm Sean Armstrong gives Galway a four point lead.
4:14pm Mark Herhir scores a GOAL for Galway
4:11pm Paul Conroy levels it up for Galway, great score
4:09pm Louth are two up at half time and will have the breeze in the second half.
4:08pm Shane Ahern scores and Limerick go in one point up at half time.
4:07pm Conor Doyle gives Laois a six point lead over Longford.
4:06pm Dereck Crilly gives Louth a three point lead.
4:06pm Karl Mannion gives Roscommon the lead.
4:05pm Colm McFadden scores a penalty for Donegal.
4:04pm Senan Kilbride levels it up for Roscommon.
4:04pm Ian Corbett gives Limerick a one point lead.
4:02pm Billy Sheehan gets Longford back to within four of Laois.
4:02pm Eric Bradshaw scores a point for Galway after twenty seven seconds.
4:01pm Ronan Carroll gets a GOAL for Louth
4:00pm Donegal now lead Cavan by three points.
3:59pm Darren Strong point leaves Laois four up against Longford.
3:57pm Tony Grey gets Waterford to within one point of Limerick.
3:55pm Ray Finegan puts Louth in front for the first time.
3:54pm JJ Hutchinson gets a point back for Waterford.
3:53pm Donegal go in front for the first time against Cavan.
3:52pm Gary Walsh gets his second point of the day and Laois now lead by four.
3:51pm Seamus O’Carroll gets a GOAL for Limerick.
3:50pm Ronan Carroll levels it up for Louth.
3:49pm Paul Barden restores Laois’ three point lead.
3:48pm Louth are doing very well considering they are playing against a strong wind.
3:47pm Its all level in the Gaelic grounds and Breffni park.
3:44pm Darren Strong gives Laois a three points to no score lead.
3:43pm Darran Clarke pulls one back for Louth.
3:42pm John Heslin kicks his third point for Westmeath, they now lead by two points.
3:41pm Eugene Keating gives Cavan a two point lead.
3:41pm Tony Grey puts Waterford back in front.
3:40pm Ian Ryan levels it up for Limerick against Waterford.
3:39pm Ian Ryan opens the scoring for Limerick.
3:38pm David Givney scores for Cavan, they now lead 0-02 0-01.
3:37pm Colm Begley opens the scoring for Laois against Longford.
3:35pm Jack Brady gives Cavan the lead against Donegal.
3:32pm Mark Ferncombe doubles the Waterford lead.
3:31pm JJ Hutchinson opens the scoring in the Gaelic Grounds for Waterford.
3:30pm We have four matches under way.
3:28pm Two Cavan changes. Killian Clarke & Jason McLoughlin for John McCutcheon & Niall Smith.
3:25pm JJ Hutchinson replaces Sean Fleming, Sean Dempsey replaces Paul Whyte for Waterford.
3:12pm Mayo juniors easily beat Galway.
3:05pm Donegal minors beat Cavan by four points.
2:52pm Donegal lead Cavan minors by three points with ten minutes to play.
2:45pm Waterford junior football team beat Limerick by six points.
2:40pm Just as in seemed Cavan were getting into the match, Donegal score a goal.
2:26pm Colin Dempsey scored the goal for Mayo juniors
2:18pm Donegal now lead by three points.
2:17pm Great game between Cavan and Donegal minors.
2:03pm Donegal lead Cavan by one point after twenty minutes.
12:38pm We have live commentary from all of todays Gaelic football matches.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SCORE GAA UPDATES

Leinster SFC first round
Westmeath 0-14 2-09 Louth, Páirc Tailteann FT
Longford 1-10 0-12 Laois, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park FT

Connacht SFC quarter-final
Roscommon 0-10 3-15 Galway, Dr Hyde Park FT

Munster SFC quarter-final
Limerick 2-12 0-07 Waterford, Gaelic Grounds FT

Ulster SFC first round
Cavan 1-10 1-16 Donegal, Kingspan Breffni Park FT

Live commentary

5:33pm Galway beat Roscommon by fourteen points.
5:29pm Paul Conroy gets another point, three minutes injury time.
5:25pm Five minutes left in Hyde Park.
5:23pm Great play from Meehan and Joyce, Gary Sice gets a GOAL for Galway.
5:22pm Ciaran McGrath brings Galway back to an eleven point lead.
5:21pm Lovely point for Meehan.
5:15pm Roscommon are now nine points down with 16minutes to play.
5:11pm Michael Meehan who has had so many injuries scores for Galway.
5:10pm Louth beat Westmeath with that injury time goal
5:08pm Daniel O’Connor GOAL for Louth, they are now leading by one.
5:06pm Longford stage a great comeback, the beat Loais for the first time since 1968.
5:05pm Reigning Ulster champions Donegal beat Cavan by six points.
5:03pm Another score for Paul Conroy against Roscommon
5:02pm Brian Kavanagh gives Longford a two point lead.
5:01pm Ronan Carroll gives Westmeath a two point lead, there is 8min of injury time.
5:00pm Limerick win by eleven against Waterford.
4:59pm O’Gara gets Roscommon back to within six.
4:58pm Donie Shine gets the first score of the second half in Hyde Park.
4:57pm Ian Ryan puts Limerick into a semi-final, great GOAL
4:56pm There will be a lot of injury time in Pairc Tailteann.
4:55pm About to go into injury time in our 3:30pm throw ins.
4:54pm Ger Collins gives Limerick six points up.
4:52pm Longford now lead against Laois. McCormack with the point.
4:51pm Penalty for Cavan is scored. GOAL, they are now six points down.
4:50pm Stephen Kelly puts Limerick five points up.
4:49pm Its all level in Pearse Park, great comeback by Longford. Mickey Quinn with the score.
4:48pm Waterford yet to score in the second half.
4:46pm Darran Clarke gets Louth back to within two.
4:43pm Stunning second half so far for Westmeath, they now lead by three points.
4:42pm Just over twenty minutes to play in the 3:30pm kick offs.
4:41pm Giveny scores and Donegal are still seven point up.
4:40pm Senen Kilbride point leaves Roscommon eight down at half time.
4:38pm Ger Collins puts Limerick three up.
4:37pm Cathal Cregg gets a score for Roscommon.
4:36pm Munnelly puts Laois four up against Longford.
4:34pm McDermott extends the Donegal lead.
4:32pm Donegal extend there lead to seven points.
4:31pm Ian Ryan puts Limerick two up.
4:30pm Longford get a much needed GOAL through Paul Barden.
4:29pm Waterford have a penalty saved, Mark Ferncombe misses.
4:28pm Joe Bergin gives Galway an eleven point lead.
4:27pm Westmeath get the first point of the second half.
4:27pm Gary Sice gets his first score from play for Galway.
4:26pm Senan Kilbride gets Roscommons first score in twenty minutes.
4:26pm Just over 2,300 in attendance in the Gaelic Grounds.
4:23pm Paul Conroy gets the second GOAL for Galway.
4:21pm Stunning point from Gareth Bradshaw for Galway.
4:19pm Gary Sice kicks another free for Galway, could of been a penalty.
4:17pm Gary Sice free gives them a five point lead.
4:15pm Sean Armstrong gives Galway a four point lead.
4:14pm Mark Herhir scores a GOAL for Galway
4:11pm Paul Conroy levels it up for Galway, great score
4:09pm Louth are two up at half time and will have the breeze in the second half.
4:08pm Shane Ahern scores and Limerick go in one point up at half time.
4:07pm Conor Doyle gives Laois a six point lead over Longford.
4:06pm Dereck Crilly gives Louth a three point lead.
4:06pm Karl Mannion gives Roscommon the lead.
4:05pm Colm McFadden scores a penalty for Donegal.
4:04pm Senan Kilbride levels it up for Roscommon.
4:04pm Ian Corbett gives Limerick a one point lead.
4:02pm Billy Sheehan gets Longford back to within four of Laois.
4:02pm Eric Bradshaw scores a point for Galway after twenty seven seconds.
4:01pm Ronan Carroll gets a GOAL for Louth
4:00pm Donegal now lead Cavan by three points.
3:59pm Darren Strong point leaves Laois four up against Longford.
3:57pm Tony Grey gets Waterford to within one point of Limerick.
3:55pm Ray Finegan puts Louth in front for the first time.
3:54pm JJ Hutchinson gets a point back for Waterford.
3:53pm Donegal go in front for the first time against Cavan.
3:52pm Gary Walsh gets his second point of the day and Laois now lead by four.
3:51pm Seamus O’Carroll gets a GOAL for Limerick.
3:50pm Ronan Carroll levels it up for Louth.
3:49pm Paul Barden restores Laois’ three point lead.
3:48pm Louth are doing very well considering they are playing against a strong wind.
3:47pm Its all level in the Gaelic grounds and Breffni park.
3:44pm Darren Strong gives Laois a three points to no score lead.
3:43pm Darran Clarke pulls one back for Louth.
3:42pm John Heslin kicks his third point for Westmeath, they now lead by two points.
3:41pm Eugene Keating gives Cavan a two point lead.
3:41pm Tony Grey puts Waterford back in front.
3:40pm Ian Ryan levels it up for Limerick against Waterford.
3:39pm Ian Ryan opens the scoring for Limerick.
3:38pm David Givney scores for Cavan, they now lead 0-02 0-01.
3:37pm Colm Begley opens the scoring for Laois against Longford.
3:35pm Jack Brady gives Cavan the lead against Donegal.
3:32pm Mark Ferncombe doubles the Waterford lead.
3:31pm JJ Hutchinson opens the scoring in the Gaelic Grounds for Waterford.
3:30pm We have four matches under way.
3:28pm Two Cavan changes. Killian Clarke & Jason McLoughlin for John McCutcheon & Niall Smith.
3:25pm JJ Hutchinson replaces Sean Fleming, Sean Dempsey replaces Paul Whyte for Waterford.
3:12pm Mayo juniors easily beat Galway.
3:05pm Donegal minors beat Cavan by four points.
2:52pm Donegal lead Cavan minors by three points with ten minutes to play.
2:45pm Waterford junior football team beat Limerick by six points.
2:40pm Just as in seemed Cavan were getting into the match, Donegal score a goal.
2:26pm Colin Dempsey scored the goal for Mayo juniors
2:18pm Donegal now lead by three points.
2:17pm Great game between Cavan and Donegal minors.
2:03pm Donegal lead Cavan by one point after twenty minutes.
12:38pm We have live commentary from all of todays Gaelic football matches.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SCORE GAA UPDATES

Saturday 19th May

Leinster SHC preliminary round
Westmeath 0-14 0-12 Antrim, Cusack Park FT

Christy Ring Cup quarter-finals
Derry 1-15 3-11 London, Celtic Park FT
Meath 1-16 0-16 Kildare, Pairc Tailteann FT

Nicky Rackard Cup quarter-finals
Sligo 1-09 3-14 Louth, Markievicz Park, 3pm
Roscommon 2-19 1-11 Monaghan, Athleague FT

Leinster Minor Football quarter-finals
Dublin 2-14 1-05 Longford, Parnell Park FT
Kildare 2-16 2-08 Louth, Newbridge FT
Offaly 1-08 3-11 Meath, Tullamore FT
Wicklow 0-07 0-10 Westmeath, Aughrim FT

Live commentary
4:36pm Super win for fourteen man Westmeath.
4:33pm Brendan Murtagh puts Westmeath two up in injury time.
4:29pm Westmeath lead by one with six minutes to play
4:24pm Bernard Murtagh levels it up for Westmeath.
4:11pm O’Brien gets his 6th point of the day for Westmeath.
4:11pm Liam Watson puts Antrim three up.
4:10pm Only two in it now, twenty minutes to play.
4:06pm Westmeath back to within four.
4:01pm Naill McManus puts Antrim six up.
3:53pm Westmeath have the breeze in the second half.
3:45pm Antrim lead by Westmeath by five points. Conor Jordan sent off for Westmeath.
3:36pm London beat a brave Derry by two points.
3:33pm Sambo McNaughton gives Antrim a five point lead.
3:29pm Antrim lead by four points.
3:22pm Its all over in Parnell Park, Dublin win by fifteen points.
3:17pm Longford now down to twelve players.
3:13pm Watson gets a third score for Antrim
3:10pm Longford down to 13men.
3:08pm Sligo get the opening score against Louth, the match was delayed by 30minutes.
3:06pm McManus & Watson open the scoring for Antrim against Westmeath.
3:00pm Billy Dardis & Patrick Kennelly with two quick goals for Meath against Offaly.
2:58pm Longford down to 14men, it going to be a long second half for them.
2:52pm Offaly get the first two scores of the second half, they now lead by one. Joe Maher with 4pts for The faithful county.
2:50pm Dublin get opening score of the second half.
2:36pm Early goal for Monaghan against Roscommon.
2:33pm Meath lead Offaly by one point at half time
2:31pm Dublin lead by nine points at half time.
2:23pm Dublin hammering Longford, but Offaly against Meath is a close match.
2:17pm Bright start for London against Derry, they lead by four.
2:12pm Dublin already five points up on Longford.
2:07pm Conor McHugh goal for Dublin.
1:48pm Only ten minutes to our first matches.
1:22pm Should be some great GAA matches today

The time is once again upon us. Summer is here, technically, which means that the Road to Croker begins in earnest.

The usual suspects of Dublin, Cork and Kerry are being touted as front-runners for the Sam Maguire Cup and here is a good place to start for a look 20 players to keep an eye on this season:

Bernard Brogan (Dublin): The one man goal machine. The younger Brogan has not had much game time at all this season but is a formidable opponent for any defender to cope with on his day. A supremely gifted passer of the ball and a ruthless goal scorer, the Dubs will be looking to him for leadership.

Colm Cooper (Kerry): What hasn’t been said about the “Gooch”? Four All-Ireland, four Leagues and seven All-Stars define one of the greatest players of the modern era. Expect more exquisite passes, intricate forward play and the heart of a champion.

Pádraig Fogarty (Kildare): A young man with no fear is exactly what Kildare need if they are to mount a serious challenge. Three points in the Lilywhites Division 2 final win showed his ability. May be sprung from the bench initially but expect more to come.

Patrick Kelly: (Cork): The Ballincollig man has been in superb form for the Rebel County and will look to continue in this rich vein all the way to the All-Ireland final. His incisive passes combined with lethal accuracy may be Cork’s way to first, Munster glory and then more.

Ciaran Kilkenny (Dublin): Not the first person that crosses the mind but his exploits with the minors this year have been spectacular. A two-footed forward, equally adept on either side of the forward line, could cause opposition defenders real problems. Impact sub berth likely but could win matches.

Michael Murphy (Donegal): The Glenswilly man, appointed captain last season, will look again to lead from the front. Six goals in 14 appearances suggest he is no slouch in front of the target. If they get the ball to him again, it may be another profitable summer.

Pádraic Joyce (Galway): So often labelled the go-to guy for the Tribesmen doesn’t make it any less true. Despite his advancing years, he is still the integral cog in the Galway wheel. Free-taking will be key. A Connacht title will be the aim, anything more a bonus.

Darren Clarke (Louth): A lot of Wee County hopes lie with this man. Louth will have to beat Dublin to reach the Leinster final but if they can disrupt the Dubs defence, this is the man that will punish them.

Kieran Donaghy (Kerry): The big man of Kerry football. A no-nonsense, uber-physical powerhouse selected to win ball and brush aside defences. If Gooch scores goals, it will be because this man puts in the hard work. No slouch in front of goal either.

Dan Goulding (Cork): 2-15 in the Munster Championship last season and unlucky to be on the losing side against Kerry in the final, Goulding will be looking to reverse last year’s form. An excellent League campaign holds them in good stead.

Michael Darragh MacAuley (Dublin): The lynchpin of the Dublin side. Imperious in midfield, a hard grafter and will link defence with attack meticulously.

James Morgan (Armagh): The man from Crossmaglen is your typical no-nonsense hard grafting defender. He is a corner-back who will not let his man go and possesses a nice touch with ball in hand.

John Doyle (Kildare): Tough, physical, intense player for the Lilywhites. Not afraid to get his hands dirty in midfield and will get forward at will. An all-rounder and the heartbeat of the Kildare side. He plays well and Kildare play well.

Bryan Sheehan (Kerry): It seems the Kingdom don’t know how to make bad players. Alongside O’Sullivan in midfield, Sheehan will be a rock of certainty allowing the flair forwards play as only they know how.

Karl Lacey (Donegal): Part of the stout defence that got Donegal to an All-Ireland semi-final. Dependable at half-back, Lacey will once again be asked for a Trojan effort this summer in a bid to retain their Ulster crown.

Rory O’Carroll (Dublin): A young man that seems to have been around forever. Will not give opposition forwards an easy day and superb with ball in hand.

Michael Foley (Kildare): Any Kildare assault on a Leinster title will need a good base. Foley was excellent and has continued where he left off this year. Will lead from the back.

Barry Owens (Fermanagh): Has been impressive in Division 4 of the League this year. Will encourage team not to be disheartened over final loss to Wicklow. Will lead Peter Canavan’s men from the back and provide staunch cover behind the midfield.

Brendan Kealy (Kerry): It’s  not all about the forwards in the Kingdom. Kealy has shown, especially last season, how good a goalkeeper he really is. The Kilcummin man pulled out many match-winning saves last year and his side will look for more of the same if they are to re-capture Sam.

Stephen Cluxton (Dublin): Last year’s All-Ireland final hero. Undoubtedly, one of the best goalkeepers of the modern era, Cluxton has it all. Shot-stopping, a keen eye for passing and very accurate with the 45’s. If Dublin retain Sam, a lot of credit will once again go to the Parnells man.