Spillane changes seats

NEWS ROUND-UP: AFTER PRESENTING The Sunday Game for the last four years, Pat Spillane will return this season as a football analyst on the RTÉ show.

"I've decided that that it's time to raise the bar and set a new challenge for myself," Spillane said yesterday. "As a presenter you're prevented from expressing your own opinions. Returning to the panel allows me to put forth my opinions and insights and I'm very much looking forward to it."

Ger Loughnane will return to the hurling panel after a two-year absence during which he managed the Galway senior hurling team.

"On returning to management after five years, the biggest changes that I saw were in approach and tactics and I'm excited about returning to the studio as I'll be looking out for things that I hadn't previously been as a result of my recent experience," said Loughnane.

The new presenter of The Sunday Game will be announced in the coming week.

ST PIUSfrom Magherafelt captured the All-Ireland colleges Senior B Football title on Saturday after extra-time.

St Paul's from Oughterard, Galway, forced the game into extra-time when Niall Walsh hit a dramatic equaliser in the fifth minute of injury-time.

However, the Ulster champions took control in extra-time and ran out 2-11 to 3-5 winners.

LONGFORD'SMICHAEL Quinn made an impressive competitive debut for Essendon yesterday in their 109 to 71 AFL victory over Fremantle.

Down's Martin Clarke played for Collingwood on Saturday in their 117-64 demolition of Melbourne at the MCG.

Setanta Ó hAilpín made his return from suspension - following his fight with Carlton team-mate Cameron Cloke - by lining out with feeder club Northern Bullants.

OLLIE REILLY, who died on Saturday following an illness, was a member of Louth's last All-Ireland senior football winning side in 1957. He was right corner back on the team which defeated Cork to take the title.