None of the experts seem to be able to see past Kerry, but with the 2008 All-Ireland football championship season already upon us, it's up to the contenders to step up to the formidable standards achieved by the Kingdom.

Padraic Joyce has been appointed Galway captain for this year's championship and the former Footballer of the Year is hoping it will be a case of fourth time lucky!

The Giovanni Trapattoni era will kick off in earnest on Saturday week when the Republic take on Serbia but there is no doubt his arrival here along with World Cup winner Marco Tardelli has put a buzz back into Irish soccer.

Galway's hopes of winning the All-Ireland hurling title for the first time in 20 years have been dealt a major blow with confirmation that captain David Collins is out for the season.

The sheer competitiveness of the Galway SHC was illustrated at the weekend when four of the eight games ended in draws.

Injured Galway star Joe Bergin has issued a plea to his colleagues - get a championship run going so that the Tribesmen will still be in contention when he is back in action in a couple of months.

Connacht 24
Neath-Swansea Ospreys 20

On an evening when conditions were perfect for open, enterprising rugby, Connacht finished an otherwise disappointing Magners' League season on a high with a 24-20 win over the Neath-Swansea Ospreys at the Sportsground on Friday.

In its ongoing bid to attract the best players from the West of Ireland to the club, Galway United will hold trials for its under-20 team in July.

Galway United 2
Finn Harps 2

Galway United failed to register a home victory at the fifth attempt, despite taking the lead on two occasions against a resolute Finn Harps in Terryland Park last Friday night.

Galway United head to Dublin next Friday night to face a UCD side who have registered only one victory all season.