Its 30 degrees in Melbourne and the sports mad city is abuzz as it bids farewell to the record breaking Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup and looks forward to the upcoming Australian Rules season, writes Maurice Brosnan.

It seems an unnecessary message to have to impart to an inter-county team, but Tipperary U20 hurling manager Liam Cahill is blue in the face telling his players to fight and graft all the way to the last whistle.

It was understandable that John Kiely not so much took offence, but bristled at the suggestion that Limerick showed signs of Kilkenny ruthlessness last Sunday.

Clare hurling joint manager Gerry O’Connor has identified a trio of national league games that he thinks will prime the Banner for a tilt at the Munster championship next summer.