Misunderstood and almost unnoticed, the defender is whatever his county needs him to be

The Irish media’s blanket coverage of the leaving cert is not replicated elsewhere

Donegal doctor Kevin Moran says referees should have power to insist players leave field

Donegal All-Ireland winner has called time on 15 years playing inter-county football

Cillian O’Connor’s contribution impossible to ignore but Robert Hennelly’s selection a disastrous one

If they go missing for a full 35 minutes, would Mayo survive against Dublin or Kerry?

Champions need to step it up to erase bad memories against battle-hardened Donegal

Dublin manager makes no reference to seismic defeat to Ulster side in 2014

Seán Moran and Malachy Clerkin run the rule over a busy weekend of action

Relief as contemporary Irish poet appears but teacher queries range required

Seán Flanagan is delighted and exhausted after two days of writing like a maniac

A comprehensive display from Dublin side leaves outclassed Castlebar deflated

Caddisflies could take a prize for their variation of species

Dublin champions keen to have their big midfielder available for All-Ireland club final

Donegal goalkeeper travelling to and fro from Qatar to aid club’s All-Ireland bid

No selfie or Instagram picture can capture the essence of a person the way a painting can. Here, experienced portraitists give some pointers so you can have a go yourself

Nick Miller was inspired by working in the late Edward McGuire’s donated studio

Manager Andy McEntee credits Paul Durcan with the critical intervention

Midfielder excited by Leinster club final after being confined to supersub role with Dublin

Veteran goalkeeper moving to Qatar for the forseeable future after win with Ballyboden

In an exclusive extract from his memoir `Until Victory Always', published on October 30th, the former Donegal manager revisits the scene of one of his greatest managerial triumphs

Stephen Cluxton and Paul Flynn miss out as nine counties feature on the short list

Waterford boasts strong connections to crime novelist Raymond Chandler

‘A punk before punk was a twinkle in its eye-linered eye,’ says poet Paul Muldoon. How do other fans and friends sum him up?

‘First Editions’ in Dublin’s Ballsbridge is a popular destination for book lovers

Two superb goals cap a dominant performance from Connacht champions

Captain proves fitness with brilliant display in midfield and attack

Derry’s failure to take chances leaves McIver wondering what might have been

Monaghan’s blanket is more evolved than Cavan’s and they did homework better too

Michael Murphy treatment shows hatred and rivalry is as strong as ever

Mickey Harte’s team have not beaten their rivals in provincial competition since 2007

Donegal have taken over the mantle of Ulster’s most successful county

‘Bird Boy’ by acclaimed Irish poet is published as part of national poetry day, which features 50 events around the country

New plaques celebrating Yeats, ‘The Kasbah’ and Ó Conaire to be unveiled in Galway city

The Four Masters’ native is now living and working full-time in Dublin

Young Rebels will be looking to impress in headquarters semi-final clash

Donegal run out easy winners in Ballybofey as Tyrone left with huge task to avoid relegation

The Royal Irish Academy of Music’s collaborative concert was strong on Irish writers but weak on our composers

His latest book contains 67 poems on such disparate topics as the weather forecast, the Syrian war, a visit to the GP, retail therapy, clampers and Seamus Heaney. There is sadness, illness, anger and trademark humour

Sara Baume and Colm Tóibín will also take part in this year’s literary event in Galway