Was last weekend’s hurling a tale of two flicks?

Meanwhile, Tipperary hurling manager Michael Ryan has handed a first league start to corner-forward Cian Darcy.

Hurling’s last big day, even though a league day, colours summer’s start, writes PM O'Sullivan.

Much discussion this last week of Tipperary’s defeat at the hands of Galway in the NHL final, with the size of that losing margin - 16 points - the main issue being raised over and over, writes Michael Moynihan.

A curse or simply not good enough? Whatever your point of view, there’s no denying Mayo’s place in the pantheon of greatest bridesmaids. John Fogarty selects a disappointing dozen of the worst performing final teams in the history of sport...

Cork 1-26 Clare 1-13: A comfortable win for Cork in this senior hurling challenge game against Clare was marred by a concussion injury suffered by defender Cormac Murphy in the second half. 

Ten prisoners transferred to Irish prisons after receiving sentences in the UK have been freed because of a loophole in the law, the Department of Agriculture is on alert for an influx of deadly Asian hornets, the men who won Jose Mourinho the title, and the world awaits the name of the royal baby. These are some of the latest and most read news stories on irishexaminer.com this morning.

Waterford manager Derek McGrath doesn’t believe it’s significant that Cork and Waterford will meet in the Munster championship a few weeks after the NHL final.

Tipperary 2-24 Clare 2-17

Kilkenny 1-16 Galway 0-15 Kilkenny charged into the NHL final with a compelling second half performance at the Gaelic Grounds.

Galway 1-20 Limerick 1-12

Stephen Clynch fired nine points as table-toppers Meath secured their third win in Division 2B of the Allianz NHL this afternoon, with wins also for London and Armagh.

FORMER Kilkenny star Charlie Carter has criticised the GAA’s promotion of the Allianz Hurling League. The former All-Ireland winner was unimpressed by the marketing of this year’s Tipperary v Kilkenny opener.

Cork 1-20 Offaly 1-15, Pairc Ui Chaoimh

THE GAA has signposted its intention to reduce prices to NFL and NHL games next year and the savings for spectators may yet carry on into the summer with the cost of attending a championship fixture also under review.

THE GAA are confident they can dramatically reduce recurring injuries in inter-county hurling and football through their burgeoning injury database.

SEÁN ÓG O HAILPÍN may not be the last high profile casualty as Cork senior hurling manager Denis Walsh restructures his squad for the 2011 campaign.

Donal O'Grady is in line to be named Limerick's new senior hurling manager, as the Shannonsiders bring to an end their two-month search to find a successor to Justin McCarthy.

WHAT a difference 70 minutes makes.

SEAMUS CALLANAN has rejected the suggestion that Tipperary’s half-forward line is a weak link that threatens to scupper the county’s ambitions of claiming a first All-Ireland title since 2001.

CORK dual star Eoin Cadogan could discover this week if he will be fit for the county’s senior championship openers in football and hurling.

ONE of the GAA’s leading officials believes the Association should set up its own TV station to promote football and hurling abroad.

Following his side’s eight-point defeat at the hands of Galway in the NHL final on Sunday, Cork boss Denis Walsh has another headache with the news that forward Michael Cussen has broken a bone in his hand and is likely to miss the Munster SHC clash with Tipperary.

Wicklow 3-18 Louth 2-9

GALWAY captain David Collins has more reason than most to relish tomorrow’s NHL final against Cork.

JOHN GARDINER claims Cork’s qualification for the NHL final reflects the investment of their energies in this year’s campaign.

GALWAY hurling boss John McIntyre says the GAA “ran scared” when it fixed the NHL final for 7pm rather than the traditional mid-afternoon throw-in time.

PREVIEW: Cork V Tipperary, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.30pm

DEFENDER Conor Dervan makes his first appearance for Galway since the 2008 championship when he starts against Tipperary in the Allianz NHL at Semple Stadium on Sunday.

WHEN you ask Jackie Tyrrell how it felt to have neutrals shouting for Tipperary in last year’s All-Ireland final, you’re not sure how he’ll answer.

BABS KEATING has called for the National Hurling League to be pushed back until after St Patrick’s Day with the competition to conclude in early summer.

JOHN WOODEN knew a thing or two about winning.

Wexford 0-13 Offaly 1-13

LOST in all the hype this week about the unofficial All-Ireland rugby final in Croke Park between Munster and Leinster is an actual official decider, and in one of our own national games at that.

TIPPERARY GAA chiefs have opted not to appeal the four-week suspension handed down to midfielder Shane McGrath as his ban expires on the night before the NHL final showdown with Kilkenny on May 3.

MICHAEL ‘Babs’ Keating has predicted his native Tipperary will suffer another hammering at the hands of Kilkenny in the NHL final.

LIMERICK manager Justin McCarthy introduces James Ryan and Paul Browne for his side’s NHL clash against Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh tomorrow.

2008 team colleagues Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Jerry O’Connor return to the Cork colours for Sunday’s Allianz NHL clash with Limerick at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.