The Dublin county board yesterday confirmed that they had negotiated a sponsorship deal with official sponsors Arnotts believed to be in the region of £1 million.

Although the precise figures were not disclosed, the arrangement carries through until November 2004 and maintains the Dublin store's long-standing association with the Dublin team.

Late last year, there was speculation that the county board was negotiating with a new sponsor after difficulties in agreeing new terms with Arnotts.

Despite having three players out with long-term injuries, Monaghan begin the defence of their Ulster under-21 championship against Fermanagh on Saturday with a side that contains six of last year's winning team and a number of players who have also represented the county at senior level.

Monaghan (U21 v Fermanagh, Saturday) - K Gormley; C Casey, P Kelly, G Corrigan; P McGuigan, D Clerkin, C Flanagan; A Rooney, C Quinn; T Freeman, JP Mone, B McGinnity; N Clerkin, E Hoey, F Mone.

Laois (U21 v Kildare, Saturday); G Corcoran; An Other, D Shevlin, A Page; J Clerkin, B Reilly, J Neary; C Quinn, S O'Neill; K Callaghan, M McDonnell, P Murphy; AN Other, JP Rooney, N Sharkey.

Waterford (McGrath Cup) - P Houlihan; K Coffey, M Fitzgerald; N Geary, K Whelan, L Hurney M Kiely; R Power; W Kavanagh G Hurney, V Murray, R Hennessey; E Doherty, J O'Kiely, S Cunningham.