KILKENNY’S pursuit of three All-Ireland hurling crowns in the space of eight days got off to a successful start in Semple Stadium on Saturday night.

CORK’s qualification for next month’s All-Ireland final has led to county board chiefs postponing club matches fixed for next week involving members of the starting 15 that defeated Dublin in last Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final.

IT’S been a mutually beneficial relationship. Since Anthony Nash first stood between the posts for the Cork intermediate hurlers in 2003, he’s given the grade unwavering focus. In return he’s picked up three All-Ireland medals – in 2003, 2004 and 2006 – and even though he’s played in bigger matches since, his interest in this afternoon’s All-Ireland IHC final is undiluted.

SPECULATION that Tom Brewster might start for Fermanagh in Sunday’s Bank of Ireland All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash with Mayo at Croke Park has proved to be unfounded.

CORK County Board Chairman Jim Forbes remained tight-lipped last night about the possibility of an appeal against the suspensions handed down against three of the Leesiders minor footballers.

KILKENNY will be aiming to complete a hat-trick of All-Ireland hurling titles when they play Galway in tomorrow’s U21 decider in Thurles. Throw-in is at 3pm.

CORK senior hurlers John Gardiner and Setanta Ó hAilpín are expected to be named on the Cork U21 football team for Thursday’s Munster championship semi-final against Waterford at Walsh Park.

CLARE hurler Gerry Quinn, who received a hand injury in an off-the-ball incident in the All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford, has been invited to attend tonight’s meeting of the GAC at Croke Park.