The Front Pages
‘Down and out for veteran Lilywhite’ – one of the Irish Independent’s front page headlines this morning.
Kildare’s John Doyle left the field a dejected man at Croke Park  yesterday as the Lilywhites suffered heartbreak in an enthralling All-Ireland SFC semi-final with Down.
The Ulstermen snatched victory by two points in a controversial match at GAA headquarters as Down’s Benny Coulter fisted to the back of the net in the first half when it looked very obvious that it was, in fact, a square ball.
The goal stood and Kildare went on to hit the woodwork three times in the second half before the final whistle sounded. Doyle (above) captained the side in their brave attempt to reach the final with Cork in three weeks time but it will be Down who face the Rebels.
‘Bailed-out bank directors paid over agreed levels’ – a lesser, yet still important, headline on the front of the Irish Examiner.
Analysis of a report issued by the Covered Institution Remuneration Oversight Committee (CIROC) shows 37 of 44 non-executive members on five of the banks’ boards were paid more last year than recommended.
The Examiner’s findings show that at AIB, six of the 11 nonexecutive directors who sat on the board last year earned more than the €55,000 recommended.
Tales from the Tabs
Convicted murderer Jon Venables has reportedly taken an interest in Scientology and wishes to join the church.
Venables, who murdered Jamie Bulger when he was 10, is thought to be a keen follower of the religion made famous by Hollywood actor Tom Cruise.
The Daily Star source said: “He can’t get enough of them. He believes every word of it and is increasingly into magic and aliens.
“He pretends to be conventionally religious and has a Bible as well, but when he speaks to warders about it he goes on about how God made aliens too.”
The Sports Pages
Sir Alex Ferguson is about to make an attempt to sign Everton’s Jack Rodwell before the transfer window closes on Wednesday reports the Sun.
It is believed that Manchester United is willing to offer £10million, plus Michael Carrick, to bring the England Under-21 international to Old Trafford.
The 19-year-old is a major part of David Moyes’ plans at Goodison Park but it will be difficult to turn down an offer of this nature.
Meanwhile, in yesterday’s Premier League action there was a shock result for Manchester City as they lost 1-0 away to Sunderland. Elsewhere, Liverpool nipped past West Brom thanks to a Fernando Torres goal, Bolton drew 2-2 with Birmingham and Aston Villa got back on track from their horror start to the season with a 2-0 win over Everton.
