Lacey pushing himself to limit as showdown looms large 

Martin Breheny: Far too early for despair or jubilation 

A rule of thumb which has retained a high degree of reliability in the All-Ireland championships is: don't be overly influenced by the early rounds.

Game has changed and Galway must adapt - Hanley 

FOR Galway, hope springs from the most unlikely of places this week.

'Lower-ranked' sides Achilles heel for Sligo – Walsh 

Kevin Walsh has admitted that playing "lower-ranked" teams in Connacht has been a "problem" for Sligo on his five-year watch.

All Star Earleys gave more to the game than they got back 

One of the most enjoyable interviews I have ever undertaken was with Dermot Earley Snr and Jnr in the Sarsfields clubhouse in Newbridge in 2004. Jnr was in his prime and still hoping to make the All-Ireland breakthrough with Kildare; Snr was optimistic that his son could go one step better than he did with Roscommon by winning the elusive senior medal.

Magheracloone back in action as accused player fights abuse ban 

ONE of the Monaghan clubs at the centre of a verbal abuse row in the county has returned to the playing fields after withdrawing from all competitions as part of the dispute.

Dallas in line to host inter-pros 

The GAA have yet to confirm that the 2014 inter-provincial finals will be played in Dallas, Texas next March.

No substitute for experience, insists Donaghy 

When RTE launched their championship coverage for the summer last week, they polled their analysts present as to who their idea of All-Ireland football winners could be.

Brolly's Grimley criticism was unacceptable – Burns 

Former Armagh midfielder Jarlath Burns has described Joe Brolly's 'Sunday Game' comments about Paul Grimley as "unacceptable".

McGuinness living dream 

WHETHER he's at Lennoxtown or Letterkenny, Jim McGuinness is at his happiest when he's on a training pitch – passing on what he has gained from many years of preparing for what he feels is his destiny.

Obama won't halt Fermanagh-Cavan clash 

ULSTER Council are going ahead with playing the Fermanagh/Cavan SFC game in Enniskillen next month, despite the fact that it will coincide with the huge security cordon that will surround President Barack Obama.

Football perfect fit for Cadogan – now he just wants Sam 

IN the end, Eoin Cadogan's decision came down to the simple matter of form. Earlier this year, the dual star opted for football over hurling, following a new trend in Cork.

Galway and Armagh fail to face new reality 

When Westmeath claimed the Division 2 league title in 2008 and then put it up to both Dublin and Tyrone in the championship, it was held up as evidence of how a mid-level team of limited resources could punch above their weight if they built from the back and kept it tight.

Cooper set for switch to half-forward line 

Colm Cooper could be set for a switch to the half-forward line as Kerry get their Munster championship campaign under way against Tipperary on Sunday, WRITES COLM KEYS.

McNulty looks to ambush former brother in arms 

Justin McNulty sees it as nothing more than a "freak of nature".

Wicklow import Coen 'no Johnston case' 

WICKLOW manager Harry Murphy is furious that the Garden County's recent recruitment of ex-Tipperary footballer Brian Coen has been likened to Kildare's signing of Seanie Johnston from Cavan last season.

Donegal-Tyrone clash hits fever pitch 

Interest in the first sell-out provincial quarter-final for many years has reached fever pitch as Donegal prepare to unveil their strongest 15 for the first time since last year's All-Ireland final triumph.

I base my game on Seanie – Dunne 

Cavan's scoring star in Sunday's Ulster championship victory over Armagh has acknowledged the influence of his former Cavan Gaels club-mate Seanie Johnston in his development.

McNamee still taking it one step at a time 

LIFE is changed, changed utterly for Offaly football captain Niall McNamee. Just over 18 months ago McNamee finally reached breaking point with the gambling addiction that was sucking the marrow out of his daily existence.

Grimley gamble fails to pay off 

Paul Grimley accepts that some will look at the approach Armagh took to this preliminary-round game and conclude they were tactically naive.

Flanagan relieved but says 'there's more in tank' 

FOR a man whose side had hurdled this potential banana skin with the ease of Derval O'Rourke, Westmeath manager Pat Flanagan didn't look too excited afterwards, which was understandable.

Moran goal caps Mayo mauling of red-faced Tribesmen 

IT'S the ultimate indictment of Galway's wretched performance in Pearse Stadium that Mayo learned very little about how well programmed they are for the bigger tests which lie ahead in Championship 2013.

O'Connell cameo lights Breffni way 

Brian O'Connell came off the bench to turn a thrilling preliminary-round contest Cavan's way at Kingspan Breffni Park.

Hapless Galway look like an easy touch in qualifiers 

I wrote on Saturday that I thought Galway-Mayo was no foregone conclusion. I was well off the mark. It was annihilation from start to finish, and credit should go to Mayo.

Focus on youth starting to pay off for resurgent Cavan 

There have not been many great days for Cavan senior football teams in recent times but yesterday was certainly one of them.

Ryan McMenamin: Orchard County undone by playing without sweeper 

AT some stage of their championship preparations, every manager will have to decide whether they will play a sweeper or not.

Horan praises maturity of his players inhandling great expectations 

Mayo manager James Horan said that it is a sign of a maturing team that they can deal with the tag of being hot favourites by delivering a performance living up to the billing.

Ever considered inter-county management? Try our new Fantasy Gaelic competition 

Inter-county management can look a lot easier than it actually is. While most of us will never get the chance to take the reins of a county team — as much as we might like to — there is now an opportunity to get a taste of the real thing.

Dermot Earley announces his retirement from inter-county football 

Dermot Earley has brought the curtain down on his illustrious inter-county career with Kildare due to continuing injury concerns.

Sectarian row D-Day 

The two players at the centre of the verbal abuse controversy in a Monaghan club game last weekend will learn their fate today.

Today's football championship previews