Clare’s Niamh O’Dea netted two goals in University of Limerick’s O’Connor Cup semi-final victory over DCU, as the champions remain on target for a third successive title win.

Tipperary 2-17 Offaly 1-15: Michael Ryan declared himself pleased with his first outing in charge of Tipperary’s senior hurlers, as the Premier County scored a five-point victory over Offaly in yesterday’s Templemore challenge outing.

Derek McGrath marvelled at how Pauric Mahony is settling into a leadership role with the team.

The hurlers of IT Carlow and Limerick IT face three games in five days in their bid to annex hurling’s Fitzgibbon Cup.

Uncertainty hung over the Fitzgibbon Cup last night as IT Carlow’s appeal dragged into the early hours.

Eight points from John O’Dwyer helped last year’s beaten finalists Cork IT into the semi-finals of this year’s Fitzgibbon Cup as they saw off NUI Galway this afternoon.

Limerick IT 1-21 UUJ 0-12:

Tipperary hope to have forward stars Eoin Kelly and Lar Corbett back in contention for starting places against Clare on March 9.

The GAA’s Higher Education Committee have been forced to put in place stand-by venues for three of the Sigerson Cup quarter-finals scheduled for today.

The number of third-level institutions in Ireland will be reduced from 39 to 25 under major education reforms rubber-stamped by Government.

You don’t have to look back far to find out what you can expect from today’s National Hurling League final.

A former Limerick great has voiced his concern about thedirection hurling is taking, writes John Fogarty

A residential care service for troubled teenage girls in Loughmahon in Cork City, has been closed down for three months by the HSE following an assault on a staff member.

Last year they had nine points to spare in their Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final triumph over Dublin IT and yesterday Cork IT replicated that commanding performance at the same stage against NUIG in Bishopstown.

PAUL GALVIN has welcomed the opportunity provided by his recent enrolment in Dublin IT to win a Sigerson Cup medal he missed out on with UCC in the 2002 final.

KERRY’s Paul Galvin has emphatically dismissed aimless speculation that he’s set for a move to a Dublin club this season.

THE most conspicuous aspect of this weekend’s Sigerson Cup semi-final line-up is those that are marked absent. No Cork IT. No UUJ. No Queen’s. No IT Sligo. No NUI Galway.

THE scoreline points to an emphatic win for UCC, but it was a tough struggle before they progressed past Dublin IT in yesterday’s Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup first round clash at the Mardyke.

A SENIOR GAA official has called for inter-county squads to be reduced to a maximum of 25 players in an effort to boost club championships around the country.

TWELVE months after last meeting at this juncture, UCC and Waterford IT cross paths in this afternoon’s Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final at the Clanna Gael Fontenoy GAA Club, Ringsend, in Dublin.

Cork make three changes from the team which drew with Kildare for the visit of Fermanagh to Páirc Uí Chaoímh on Sunday (throw-in 2.30pm).

CORK IT coach Keith Ricken admits his side face a big test when they open their Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup campaign in this afternoon’s quarter-final at home to DCU.

GAA officials have deferred the closing stages of this year's Sigerson Cup competition following objections from Cork IT.

LEICESTER’s Johne Murphy has the unusual experience of sitting in the away dressing room at Welford Road tonight.

CHAMPIONS Limerick IT open the defence of their Datapac Fitzgibbon Cup today with a tricky first round home tie against Galway IT (Limerick, 2pm).

CHAMPIONS Waterford IT include five of last year’s team for their opening game in the Datapac Fitzgibbon Cup against Dublin IT at Ballygunner tomorrow (2 pm).

THE Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cup competitions were officially launched at the Athlone Institute of Technology last night.