2010 was a year to forget for Limerick hurling, the county convulsed by the controversy that saw its senior hurling team drastically diminished by cuts and withdrawals.

CROSSMAGLEN, three times All-Ireland club champions between 1997 and 2000, take on Leinster representatives Portlaoise at Parnell Park tomorrow (2.30pm) in a semi-final which may very well decide the destination of the trophy.

KILKENNY’S failure to win the Leinster minor title three years ago had been a powerful motivating force behind their All-Ireland Under-21 success in Thurles on Sunday, believes selector Mick Dempsey.