Antrim: The good news from the county convention in Ballymena yesterday was that Guinness goods will not be banned in Antrim's social clubs. The question of a ban had arisen over a sponsorship deal for the Antrim jerseys with Bushmills, which had been seen by some as creating a possible conflict with Guinness, the sponsors of the hurling championship.

In his address County Chairman Joe O'Boyle was in an upbeat mood, citing the successes over the past year - victory in the All-Ireland B football championship and the opening of the revamped Casement Park at a cost of over £2 million. In the only election, for the position of hurling chairman, John McSparran had an easy win.

Tipperary: A call for the restoration of good relations between Tipperary and Clare was made by Paul O'Neill, outgoing chairman, in his address to Tipperary county convention in Thurles yesterday.

The Cappawhite man referred to the unfortunate development in relations between the two counties after this year's hurling championship. He said he had no intention of pointing the finger of responsibility at anyone. All he wanted to do was to express his total unhappiness at the state of affairs.

He said: "The game of hurling is to be enjoyed. The field of play should not be a battleground for anyone who wishes to bring the game into disrepute. The boardroom should not be a place for antagonisms and dissension."

He concluded: "One of my wishes for the new year is that whatever is at the root of the strained relations between Clare and Tipperary may be eradicated.

Laois: There was a major upset at the Laois convention, which took place in Ballinakill on Saturday. Outgoing chairman, Tom Hassett, who was seeking a 10th term, was well beaten by the outgoing football board chairman, Dick Miller, who was elected on the first count with 77 votes. Hassett polled only 27 votes, with new candidate Tom O'Loughlin logging 47 votes.

Outgoing vice-chairman Brian Allen was returned unopposed, but there was also a major upset in the vote for county secretary. Michael Carroll, who was seeking a 21st term, was defeated by newcomer Liam O'Neill on a vote of 105 to 45. Outgoing treasurer, Tony Walsh was returned unopposed as was Central Council delegate Michael Carroll. Also returned was development officer John Dalton and PRO Evelyn Lynch. The assistant treasurer, Michael Bolton also held his position but there is to be a new youth officer: Ollie Byrne lost his seat to Larry Doone. The new Irish officer is Monica Delaney. The financial report showed the county to have deficits in excess of £200,000.

Westmeath: The proposals being put forward by the Football Development Committee to amend the existing playing rules warrant a two-year trial period, the outgoing chairman of the Westmeath county board, Seamus O Faolain, told the annual convention on Saturday night.