The increased number of championship games brought about by the provincial round-robin format makes it harder to successfully defend the Liam MacCarthy Cup, according to Limerick’s Diarmaid Byrnes.

The LIT management were informed late last night they had been awarded the game after controversy had reigned on Wednesday of last week when the two finalists showed up at different venues.

Kerry hurler Mikey Boyle’s young son, Bobby, wanted a Galway gearbag for Christmas as Joe Canning is one of his favourite players.

UCC capped a superb week by claiming their third successive All-Ireland Freshers (1) hurling crown, to complement Saturday’s Fitzgibbon Cup triumph, in an absorbing decider against UL in Mallow yesterday.