Carlow's longest serving footballer, Johnny Nevin, is confident the county can progress further under the management of Luke Dempsey. Defeat to Down in Saturday's All-Ireland qualifier saw Carlow exiting the championship along with seven other counties, but already the 34-year-old Nevin is looking towards the future.

"We'd be hopeful Luke will stay on," said Nevin, who yesterday collected the football end of the Vodafone Player of the Month award.

"Clearly he's a very good manager and there will be a lot of teams looking for him. And he's still training Leixlip. But hopefully we can gel the team together a little more, and move forward."

Nevin, at least, has no intention of moving on, and instead intends on going into the twilight of his career with extra motivation. "I suppose when you can see your career is coming to an end you want to give it everything for the last year or two. And walk away with no regrets. So I still intend on giving it everything I have for the next couple of years."

By now Nevin has lost count of how many times he's represented Carlow between football and hurling in the league, championship and elsewhere: "I guess it's something more than 300. I haven't kept an accurate tab on it. But between the football and hurling it would be 300.

"But I was lucky in that I've never had any serious injuries along the way."

Meanwhile, Donegal have been hit with the most unfortunate setback ahead of their Ulster football championship semi-final meeting with Tyrone. Definitely ruled out is All Star wing back Kevin Cassidy, whose knee injury suffered in a club game eight days ago will see him out of action for at least a month.

There has been some speculation that Graham Geraghty will be called back into the Meath team ahead of their Leinster football semi-final against Laois at Croke Park. With his 48-week ban halved, Geraghty did train with the team last Sunday, although he is not reported to be in the running for a starting place. Joe Sheridan, however, is almost certain to start following his return from a shorter suspension.

Tickets for that game - to be played along with the Offaly-Dublin hurling semi-final - and the Donegal-Tyrone game are now available from www.gaa.ie