Alan Connolly scored 2-9 as Blackrock recorded an impressive 3-19 to 0-13 win away to city rivals Douglas in the Division 1 of the RedFM Hurling League on Sunday.

The late Noel Whelan, a skilful political commentator and Dáil number cruncher, once remarked that the analysis of election counts inevitably moves quickly, often glossing over the importance of early seat wins — irrespective of how dramatic they can be for parties.

A second-quarter scoring surge was decisive, as St Michael’s took the inter-divisional JBFC title, at Páirc Uí Rinn, on Saturday evening.

Local politics in Fermoy has been a game of musical chairs of sorts with representatives not just giving up county council positions for Dáil seats, but also swapping parties since the last local elections.

It became all too easy for Blackrock with a runaway victory over Ballyhea in the second game of the Cork SHC double-header at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday

The ethics watchdog has said it is powerless to investigate whether a TD on the Oireachtas’ Sports Committee broke any rules when he obtained World Cup final tickets through the FAI.

A TD who attended last summer’s World Cup Final with the help of the FAI has said “crossed wires” were to blame for him apparently denying the association had any involvement in his attendance at the match.

A TD who asked the FAI for match tickets at the World Cup is not compromised in being able to cross-examine its former chief executive, John Delaney at the Oireachtas sports committee, Fianna Fáil has said.

The Government has been urged to buy Micheal Flatley’s mansion, which is also the ancestral home of the first president of Ireland.

For all the excitement generated by last month’s announcement that the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is to be played at Lahinch Golf Club next summer, there is plenty to whet the appetite in 2018 as the famous links plays host to the 117th South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship.

Blackrock 1-19 Carrigtwohill 1-12: A powerful second-half display — during which last year’s beaten county finalists outscored their opponents by 0-12 to 0-2 from the 37th minute onwards — propelled Blackrock to victory in this entertaining Cork SHC first-round clash.

Charlie and his appearances on the Champs Elysee in 1987 and at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico three years later, writes Brendan O’Brien. 

Transport Minister Shane Ross has batted away accusations of engaging in ‘gombeen politics’ over the allocation of sporting grants and, instead, highlighted opposition TDs lobbying for club funds.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves. All 32 of you.

Fine Gael is preparing to run a four- to six-week referendum campaign targeting undecided voters.

The Government will introduce a free contraception system after the referendum on the Eighth Amendment in a bid to revolutionise Ireland’s sex education and sexual health regime.

He is not a gambler, he is a mathematician. He plots three, four steps ahead. He will not risk a Theresa May calamity on the basis of two or three polls. He genuinely wants this to go on, writes Daniel McConnell

The Cabinet will next week discuss the thrust of the abortion referendum question and what specific legislation could follow any yes vote.

Nearly 30% more suspected drink-drivers have been arrested in Cork city and county in the past three months compared to the same period last year.

A comprehensive plan is needed for two IDA-owned sites in Cork — one lying idle in Fermoy since 2002 and another in Kilbarry on Cork City’s northside that is “underutilised for years and growing grass”, according to two TDs.

AN investment block of 24 modern, purpose built apartments in the heart of the north Cork town of Mallow has come to market as one lot, at an average price of c.€99,000 per unit.

Fianna Fáil TDs have said they received a “backlash” over their initial position on water charges as the party yesterday did another U-turn and backed government plans to levy homes and continue metering.

The families of road victims have slammed TDs for “advocating for impaired driving” and insulting those who have lost loved ones in traffic accidents.

Transport Minister Shane Ross has ruled out providing US pre-clearance facilities at Cork Airport for people who want to board transatlantic flights.

Ulster Bank League Division 1B

Health Minister Simon Harris will travel to Cork on Thursday to hear firsthand from hospital consultants why women face inordinate delays accessing treatment for a range of gynaecological conditions, including potential cancers.

Blackrock 2-18 Newtownshandrum 2-9: Blackrock swept past Newtownshandrum in the second half of Saturday’s RedFM SHL final at Páirc Uí Rinn to capture the title for the first time since 2008.

UCC 15 Dolphin 25: Dolphin gave their Ulster Bank League Division 1B survival hopes a huge boost with a victory over UCC at the Mardyke last night.

People living in a North Cork village are objecting to Irish Water’s plans to connect their homes to a new water system, due to concerns over the quality of the supply.

Tillage lands along the south coast were parched as a result of a salt drift caused by a sea mist during the severe winter storms.

Another sibling has joined the ranks of Cork County Council following the recent elections to the Dáil and Seanad.

Blackrock 1-22 Ballyhea 1-13: Twelve months after losing heavily to Ballyhea, Blackrock were this time standing on the winner’s rostrum after a low-key Cork SHC first round clash at sun-splashed Mallow yesterday.

New junior minister Sean Canney is among a dozen former county and city councillors who will receive golden handshake payments from the local authorities after securing Dáil seats in February.

Cork’s progression to the All-Ireland U21 final, on Saturday, April 30, looks set to disrupt local football championship fixtures.

Of the six newcomers co-opted onto Cork County Council, three are siblings of councillors elected to the Dáil.

Barrow Rangers (Kilkenny) 2-14 Shanballymore (Cork) 1-15: Kilkenny’s Barrow Rangers advanced to the All-Ireland JBHC final after defeatomg Cork champions Shanballymore in Killeedy yesterday.

The sprawling constituency of Cork East is essentially split in two, with the main population centres of Fermoy, Mallow, and Mitchelstown in the north and Midleton, Youghal, and Cobh in the south.

Armoured cars and tanks and guns... here the Fianna Fáil warwagon comes.

Overhanging branches on roadside trees has led to haulage companies, nursing the costs of damages, threatening not to deliver to certain areas in Co Cork.

More than 12 months after a tiny creature caused mayhem for builders along the Blackwater Valley in Co Cork there is still no solution to marry the needs of protecting it with future development.