A round up of today's other GAA stories in brief...
Coyle sees the challenge
MEATH MANAGER Colm Coyle has described his former charges and next Sunday's National Football League opponents Monaghan as "serious contenders" for major honours this year.
Coyle, who managed the Ulster side for the 2003 and 2004 seasons, has been impressed by their progress under Séamus McEnaney.
Coyle said: "They're in a position now where they are serious contenders. Ulster is a very competitive province but it just shows the progress they have made in recent years that they are now being spoken about as possible winners up there and, of course, they had a good run in last year's championship.
"But having said that, we have our eyes on the big prize too."
Sunday's Clones game is a crucial top-of-the-table one as Meath sit just two points behind their opponents, and Coyle is anticipating a hard battle.
He added: "It should be a good test. Monaghan are flying at the minute and seem to be the form team in the league.
"They had a very good result against Dublin last Sunday, and after they looked dead and buried they showed good battling qualities to get a draw.
"They're going well and look really settled."
Coyle will have to plan once again without the injured attacking trio of Brian Farrell, Joe Sheridan and Shane O'Rourke for Sunday's game.
Four opt out of Offaly squad
OFFALY MANAGER Joe Dooley has suffered a setback with the news that four top players have left the county's senior hurling panel.
It has been confirmed that prolific free-taker Damien Murray, goalkeeper Shane O'Connor, Dublin-based defender Barry Teehan and Francis Kerrigan have all withdrawn from Dooley's squad.
Murray cited a lack of appetite and general disillusionment with hurling after he left the squad following Offaly's 17-point defeat to Tipperary.
O'Connor decided to walk away after he was substituted during the March 16th defeat to Limerick.
The experienced Teehan was not used against Limerick, and Kerrigan has decided to concentrate on his under-21 commitments.
Weekend Fixtures
SATURDAY (7.0 unless stated) National Football
League - Division One: Tyrone v Donegal, Omagh, P Hughes (Armagh);
Laois v Kerry, Portlaoise, M Duffy (Sligo).
Division Two: Cavan v Cork, Breffni Park, M Deegan (Laois).
Division Three: Down v Limerick, Newry, C Reilly (Meath).
Leinster MFC: Kilkenny v Wexford, Nowlan Park, 3.0.
Leinster MHC: Carlow v Offaly, Carlow, 2.0.
Leinster Under-21 FC: Kildare v Carlow, Newbridge, 4.30.
SUNDAY (2.30 unless stated) National Football League - Division One: Kildare v Mayo, Newbridge, P McEnaney (Monaghan); Galway v Derry, Pearse Park, R Hickey (Clare).
Division Two: Roscommon v Westmeath, Hyde Park, D Coldrick (Meath); Monaghan v Meath, Clones, M Hughes (Tyrone); Armagh v Dublin, Crossmaglen, D Fahy (Longford).
Division Three: Sligo v Fermanagh, Markievicz Park, J White (Donegal); Longford v Louth, Pearse Park, V Neary (Mayo); Wexford v Leitrim, Wexford Park, M Meade (Limerick).
Division Four: Carlow v Tipperary, Dr Cullen Park, T Quigley (Dublin); Offaly v Waterford, Tullamore, J Curley (Meath); London v Antrim, Ruislip, M Sludden (Tyrone); Clare v Wicklow, Cusack Park, G O Conamha (Galway).
National Hurling League - Division One A play-off: Cork v Waterford, Limerick, 2.30. Division Three: Tyrone v Longford. Omagh, 2.30.
