There’s something about the 1930s that sets it apart in the history of hurling, writes Paul Rouse

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

When Cusack Park stood for a minute’s silence at the Clare county final last Sunday, a man in front of me didn’t bow his head. Instead he shook it, while scrolling down his phone, scanning tweet after tweet making reference to the passing of one of the county’s finest ever sons.

Two men have been arrested in Cork this afternoon after a car, which was being pursued by gardaí, crashed outside the Pairc Ui Rinn GAA stadium as fans were arriving for a county championship double-header.

Midleton’s hopes of regaining the Cork SHC title have received a blow with the news Cork star Conor Lehane is likely to miss the rest of the club’s campaign.

Personal reflections from Irish Examiner sports writers, with some 2015 wishes and predictions to boot.

Mayo joint-managers Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly have hinted at sweeping changes to next year’s panel, believing new blood is required in the county’s senior set-up.

The siege mentality, it’s a must wear this season. Pat Horgan had one after the Clare game when he spoke of the new penalty regulation.

Whitegate 0-18 Youghal 0-18

When Newmarket-on-Fergus captain Enda Barrett received the Canon Hamilton Cup at the end of the Clare county final he said he was receiving it on behalf of Newmarket teams going back 31 years.

Timing is everything, isn’t it?

IT’S been a frustrating last few weeks for the brothers Jacob, Michael and Rory, of Oulart-The Ballagh.

POLITICIANS and senior gardaí have reacted angrily to comments made by a man claiming to represent the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, who suggested on a radio show that he could help organise vigilante action against drug dealers operating in a part of Cork city.

GERRY Adams dismissed republican dissidents as “anti-peace” activists but offered to mediate with them to try and halt the upsurge of violence in the North.

THE Cratloe-Crusheen clash in tomorrow’s Clare SHC final (Cusack Park, Ennis, 3.30pm) reinforces the sense of a power shift in Banner hurling, from traditional powerhouses to newer forces.

Sinn Féin is to hold talks with the political representatives of the Real IRA dissident republican paramilitary group, it was confirmed today.

A lucrative new sponsorship deal between the mobile phone company 3 Ireland and the Waterford County GAA Board was officially signed off yesterday and will embrace all of the Déise teams in both hurling and football over the next two seasons.

HE IS sick and tired of losing, is James Woodlock, sick of waiting around on the field and watching the winners already well into their celebrations as they accept the cup, tired of the feeling that evening, the next day, the next week, the feeling that just eats and gnaws its way into your marrow.

County senior final action in Tyrone, Roscommon, Carlow, Tipperary and Limerick provided the GAA football action around the country today as all five finals produced winners.

Cork 3-6 Tipperary 0-8

ALL SFC: Tomorrow: Ilen Rovers v O’Donovan Rossa: Castlehaven, 3.30 p.m.

TAKE a chance on Beef Or Salmon creating a minor surprise by beating mighty Best Mate in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.

As part of the Ireland team’s preparation for the ICC Trophy in July next year the Irish Cricket Union have secured a fixture against the current English County Champions Warwickshire CCC.

THIRTEEN months ago, Killererin’s footballers sat disconsolate in a Salthill dressing-room trying to come to grips with a 15-point mauling by Caltra in the Galway county final.

Cork’s army of loyal GAA fans vowed today to rebel against calls to ban the red and white American Confederate flag from matches.

IT will be very much a case of Hamlet without the Prince should Niall Cahalane fail to line out with Castlehaven against An Ghaeltacht in tomorrow’s Munster Club SFC semi-final in Killarney (2.45pm).

IN Tipperary they are the giants, the team against whom many are beaten before even a ball is pucked - a side packed with inter-county talent and noted for its toughness and fighting spirit.

Arsonists are to blame for at least three of the raging fires in southern California that have so far claimed the lives of 20 people and destroyed more than 2,600 homes, authorities said.

CHRISTMAS Day may be a full week away but the GAA is unlikely to receive a more welcome boost over the festive season than yesterday’s news that Bank of Ireland would be continuing it’s SFC sponsorship for a further four years until 2007.

IT’S hardly a substitute for the thrill of battle, but it’s still nice to be involved.