Joe Hayes is unsure which provincial runners-up await Clare should Colm Collins’ side do the business in Markievicz Park this afternoon.

It took Castlehaven, and many observers, by surprise when Nemo Rangers operated a sweeper in the drawn Cork final last month. Indeed Haven’s selector James McCarthy made a point of mentioning it after the game.

Michael Meaney has noticed a new-found confidence in his charges.

Clonmel Commercials are furious after a Tipperary county minor A hurling final involving two of their players was fixed for Saturday — a day before they face St Joseph’s Milltown-Malbay in the AIB Munster senior club football semi-final.

The product’s name has entered British English as a simile for something that is an acquired taste or tends to polarise opinion.

TJ Ryan played down an incident following the final whistle when an angry Limerick supporter attempted to confront him before he was ushered away by a steward.

Stephen Walsh feels he has to explain himself. He currently lives in Castletroy but works in Ardpatrick National School, a five-minute drive from his home house in Glenroe; an hour from his current abode.

The all-too-familiar criticism surrounding Cork hurling’s underage plight was yet again dragged front and centre in the wake of the county’s Munster semi-final defeat to Waterford earlier this month.

The GAA has reported a large spike in the number of claims for hip operations among minor football and hurlers. A total of 77 teenage footballers and hurler last year made applications via the players insurance scheme compared to 19 in 2013, 20 in 2012, five in 2011 and 10 in 2010.

Let no-one tell you that playing at home isn’t a major advantage.

My first visit to Semple Stadium was a depressing one that has probably shaped me into the cynic that I am.

MUNSTER SHC QUARTER-FINAL REPLAY:

TJ Ryan wasn’t hard pressed for an answer when he was asked what made the difference for Limerick yesterday: character.

Cian McCarthy has won a starting place on the Cork team for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC final replay against Clare at Croke Park (throw-in 5pm).

In many ways, yesterday’s Cork-Kildare game began as you’d expect.

Five-time All-Ireland winner Tom O’Sullivan will not be returning to the Kerry panel for the upcoming championship.

ALL-IRELAND champion Martin Coppinger has a chance to show his true talent by winning the Joe McVeigh Cup at the Ból-Fada Festival in Keady, Armagh on Sunday.

KILMACUD CROKES star Ross O’Carroll has admitted his brother, All-Star nominee Rory, will miss the crucial Leinster club semi-final against Garrycastle on Sunday week.

THE fading sunlight in O’Connor Park on Saturday evening provided the backdrop as the Limerick hurlers finally bid their farewells to championship 2010.

IT shouldn’t come as any surprise to hear Shane O’Sullivan stress the importance of preparation and routine.

I WAS privileged to manage the Limerick footballers for six seasons from 2000 to 2005 and the U21s for the first two years of that period.

THIS sporting prediction business is a serious enough job, but one of the many positives of the job is that you get to meet characters like Gary Kirby.

HOW do you replace a legend? Ten years ago, 1995, Clare overcame Cork in the dying minutes of a fantastic Munster semi-final encounter.

NEXT Sunday Seán Óg Ó hAilpín returns to a familiar field.

PÁIDÍ Ó Sé was a broken man after seeing his captain being red-carded in Gaeltacht’s county championship game three weeks ago.

A SUPERB display by Cian McNamara, winner of the Junior Open Championship at Musselborough, and a new cap on the Irish Boys Team, helped Limerick Golf Club to victory in the Munster semi-final and final of the Fred Daly Trophy at Roscrea.