The economic slowdown may be a source of concern for many here, but it's great news for London GAA as they head into a Connacht SFC encounter with Sligo on Sunday.
'With the economic downturn at home, we already have a few extra lads coming over here,' Exiles manager Noel Dunning said.
'Even in the last few weeks you can see it, but unfortunately they have come over too late to be involved with the squad this year.'
The Athlone native's side had a dismal league campaign but have some quality performers in their squad.
Chris Donnellan (brother of Galway's Michael and John), Éamon Ó Cuív (All-Ireland U-21 winner with Galway) and Clareman Paul O’Hehir are all based in the English capital. (Irish Independent)
Brendan Quigley's work accident will rule him out of Laois' championship campaign for eight weeks.
The Timahoe man, who works as a carpenter, fell through a skylight on Monday.
The prognosis means the former Aussie Rules recruit will play no part in the O'Moore men's push for a first Leinster title since 2003. (The Mirror)
Sunday's Ulster SFC clash between Fermanagh and Monaghan is set to be a 19,000 sell-out.
It will be first big game at the newly-refurbished Brewster Park in Enniskillen, but Fermanagh boss Malachy O'Rourke is hoping his side can quickly turn the updated venue into a fortress.
'We're trying to take as much advantage as possible out of the fact that we have a home game,' he said.
'It's in brilliant condition so we will certainly not be able to blame the pitch,' he added. (Irish Independent)
Carlow boss Paul Bealin has revealed that suggestions by a panellist on The Sunday Game that the county shouldn't be allowed in the Championship angered many on Barrowside.
Bealin's boys came in for criticism after they slumped to a 20-point reverse to an under-strength Meath side at Croke Park last Sunday.
'That was an easy, throw-away comment for him to say on TV but it hurt a lot of proud people in Carlow.
'He doesn't know how hard the players have worked over the last couple of months, he knows nothing about the effort that has been put in,' the former Dublin midfielder wrote in The Star.
Sligo manager Tommy Jordan insists that his side are back on the right track after relegation from NFL Division 3.
He says the defending Connacht champions have performed well in recent challenge matches against Wexford, Cavan and Dublin.
'Things have gone well for us over the last couple of weeks,' Jordan said.
'Again, we showed that there is spirit in the camp.
'You have to put these things behind you and since then we have performed reasonably well. That's pleasing.' (The Star)
Limerick boss Mickey Ned O'Sullivan says he is well aware of the threat Tipperary pose to his side's Munster ambitions.
Tipp surprisingly gained promotion from NFL Division 4, and O'Sullivan concedes the Premier men will come into the two sides' clash in Fermoy on Sunday on a high.
'They have the momentum. They have the momentum of promotion, that gives them confidence,' he said.
'They have the freshness of a new manager and they have a good club structure in Tipperary.
'They have the talent there and it’s only a matter of getting it together and that’s what they’re doing. So we know it’s going to be tough.' (The Mirror)
Tyrone attacker Owen Mulligan will not miss any Ulster SFC action after he received just a four-week ban for a sending off at club level.
The Cookstown man got his marching orders in a game against Aghyaran last Sunday, but the ban will run out before the Red Hands face up to Down in Omagh on 8 June. (The Star)
Hurling:
Clare forward Barry Nugent is keen for his team-mate Niall Gilligan to recover in time for their Munster opener against Waterford.
Gilligan was knocked unconscious during a recent challenge game with Offaly and is a doubt for the match at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday week.
'Niall has been there since '97. He has been a great servant. I don't think there has been any Championship match that he hasn't lined out in through injury,' Nugent said.
Gilligan is back in light training, but Nugent insists that the Banner must prepare for the possibility that the Sixmilebridge clubman will not be available.
'It is up to the rest of the forwards, whoever is picked, to try to come in and do the business.'
Waterford have their own injury concerns. Definitely out are Ken McGrath, Paul Flynn and Eoin Murphy.
But Déise goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy says that their absence will offer fringe players a chance to stake their claim for a starting place.
'That's why you have a panel of 30, you have to deal with these setbacks in any sport so we'll deal with it and it give somebody else a chance to have a go.' (The Star/The Sun)
Hennessy's team-mate Stephen Molumphy was signing off the same hymn sheet in relation to McGrath's injury.
'Ken is a fantastic player. But it just gives another chance for a player to step into the side,' the Irish soldier said.
'There’s an abundance of talent in the panel so it gives another guy a chance to prove his worthiness.' (The Sun)
Laois defender Joe Fitzpatrick admits that hurling in the county needs a big win in Championship to lift spirits.
The O'Moore men face neighbours Offaly on Sunday looking to repeat the win they had over the Faithful in this year's Division 1B.
However, it was only last year that Laois were on the end of a 19-point thrashing at the hands of Sunday’s opponents.
'We need something badly. Dublin are after making big strides, Westmeath are making a bit of a push and it would be good for hurling here,' the 24-year-old said.
'The morale among the players is good but the interest from outside isn't there like it was in years gone by.' (The Mirror)
Coolderry clubman Kevin Brady has admitted he was somewhat shocked to be handed the team captaincy for Offaly.
'I thought one of the Birr boys was gong to be captain,' the half-back said. 'It is a great honour and a privilege.' (The Mirror)
Miscellaneous:
GAA authorities have taken exception to the findings and manner of release of an ESRI report that claims that participation levels in the national games has stagnated.
Croke Park disputes the ESRI's assertion and is also annoyed that the report was put out with a press release, and yet the GAA had still not received a copy by yesterday evening.
GAA spokesperson Danny Lynch said that Sporting Lives: An analysis of a lifetime of Irish sport 'appears to contradict what was said three years ago in a previous report in 2005...which emphasised the outstanding contribution made by the GAA and its volunteers.'
Lynch added: 'I can't see the object of the exercise unless there's an attempt being made to justify reducing funding to the association. If the GAA pulled out of even 10% of its activities the State wouldn't be able to pick up the slack.' (Irish Times)
There has still been no confirmation from the Australian Football League about a second venue for the proposed International Rules series in October.
The GAA has given its Australian counterpart until close of business today to come back with a date and venue. (Irish Times)
But Nickey Brennan is confident there will movement on the issue today.
The GAA President said: 'I am expecting a call (this morning) and hopefully, it will be positive.' (The Star)
English boxer Ricky Hatton is in talks with Croke Park about the possibility of staging a rematch with Floyd Mayweather at Headquarters.
The Manchester fighter will take on Juan Laczano at the City of Manchester Stadium tomorrow night in front of 55,000 fans, but he is looking to double that figure by taking on Mayweather in Dublin.
'I would love to set the all-time record for an outdoor crowd. We have looked at Croke Park. That is an arena that could do it. It is something we have our eye on. The Gaelic Football pitch there is a lot bigger than a football pitch.' (Irish Independent/Irish Examiner)
Meathman Liam Keane will not be involved as DRA secretary when the case of the 'Parnell 5' is heard.
Seamus Kenny, Niall McKeigue, Shane McAnarney, Brendan Murphy and Nigel Crawford are all contesting eight-week bans they received for their roles in the schmozzle during the Royals' league clash with Dublin.
Mullingar-based solicitor Matt Shaw will fill Keane's shoes for the hearing, which is expected to take place next week. (The Mirror)
