All four Munster sides in action on the national stage had tough weekend as Cork Harlequins, UCC, and Cork C of I’s men and women suffered defeats.

Tradition, it’s one of the great GAA intangibles. Does it actually count for anything? Does it help put a ball over the bar or stand to a team when they’re struggling?

Cork’s two leading lights C of I and Harlequins have set about their task of restoring a Munster presence in the EY Hockey League’s top tier in the best possible fashion.

With the winter break just a couple of weeks away, new research from chartered physiotherapist Huw Rees says this is a key phase for Irish hockey clubs to manage after a spate of injuries last spring.

Roisin Begley’s final second strike helped Catholic Institute secure a little piece history as they landed their first ever win in the women’s EY Hockey League, beating Belfast Harlequins 3-2.

Derry City must secure at least a share of the spoils against Finn Harps on Friday night if they are to secure Europa League football next season

There’s a huge Dublin derby in store in the Men’s SuperLeague this weekend as unbeaten DBS Éanna travel across town to face Pyrobel Killester tomorrow evening.

Julian Dale’s last-minute goal earned Cork Harlequins a memorable 2-1 win over Corinthian in the Irish Senior Cup as the Munster Division One side knocked out EY Hockey League opposition at Farmers’ Cross.

The Men’s Super League kicks off in earnest tomorrow with the big game of the weekend at Neptune Stadium between C&S Neptune and Keane’s Supervalu Killorglin.

Harry Kenny has left St Patrick's Athletic by mutual consent.

Leinster have won the Guinness PRO14 final after beating Glasgow 18-15 at Celtic Park.

Cork Constitution lock Brian Hayes has hailed the impact made by coach Paul Barr ahead of their latest appearance in an All-Ireland League decider this weekend.

Cork Harlequins enjoyed a sublime weekend with the men landing the Munster Division 1 crown while the women earned an Irish Senior Cup final spot.

As Jimmy Crowley and Lankum join forces for a gig, Marjorie Brennan delves into the fascinating history of the wartime ballad they both perform

By John Hudson University of Limerick will bid for their first ever Irish Universities Collingwood Cup win when they take on UCC in an all-Munster final at Limerick’s Market’s Field today (kick-off 2.30pm).

Hula Hoops Men’s National Cup semi-final: Pyrobel Killester 76 Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 70

A spectacular second-half performance from Railway Union saw them claim the IRFU Women’s All-Ireland Cup following a comprehensive 33-3 victory over UL Bohemians, the defending cup champions and league leaders at Dubarry Park on Saturday.

Opportunity knocks on Sunday as the men’s and women’s Munster Senior Cup finals take place at Garryduff with the potential for new names to claim the trophy.

Basketball continued its resurgence in this country with a Cup final weekend sprinkled with

Templeogue College edged St Malachy’s of Belfast in the Under 19A Boys final on the opening day of the Subway Schools All-Ireland Cup finals at the National Basketball Arena yesterday.

Snow White, Cork Opera House

Ireland’s women have been dealt a reasonably favourable pool in the women’s World Cup next July with their date with India looking to be the crucial one if they are to make the knock-out phases.

Cork Harlequins ended UCD’s incredible 20-game unbeaten run in Belfield as Roisin Upton and Naomi Carroll struck for an excellent 2-1 win to open up the delayed women’s EY Hockey League.

Skerries teenager Ciaran Frawley converted four of UCD’s five tries and kicked a penalty as they dished out a 36-8 derby defeat to Dublin University, moving to the top of Ulster Bank League Division 1A in the process.

Censorship in Ireland, which was largely overturned 50 years ago, meant the public couldn’t easily get their eyes on work by our best writers, making it a badge of honour, says Donal Ó Drisceoil.

Celtic have a fresh injury fear ahead of next week's Champions League opener after Scott Brown limped off during their 9-0 thrashing of Shamrock Rovers.

Donaghmoyne (Monaghan) 1-8 Mourneabbey (Cork) 1-6: Champions Donaghmoyne held off brave Mourneabbey in a thrilling All-Ireland Ladies Club SFC semi-final at Fontenoy Park yesterday.

Templeogue remain the only unbeaten team in the Men’s Super League following a comfortable 81-70 win over UCC Demons at Inchicore.

St Patrick’s Athletic 0 Dundalk 4

An historic and against-the-odds first All-Ireland senior club football title for Ballyboden - and the fourth time in the last nine years the Andy Merrigan Cup has remained in Dublin.

Greenfields made UCC sweat but the students hung on to win 2-1 and give their EY Hockey League survival hopes a significant boost at the Mardyke on Saturday.

Swords Thunder 103 UCC Demons 82

UCC’s ladies and Cork C of I’s men made emphatic opening day statements in the new-look EY Hockey League, with big wins over Greenfields and Cookstown. Alex O’Grady and Niamh O’Leary were among the new faces on target for College in a 4-0 success in Galway that puts them top of the pile after the first round.

After last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Oriel Park saw Dundalk retain their six-point advantage over Cork City, the top two in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division resume their title contest this evening, with the Lilywhites away to Bray Wanderers and the Rebels at home to Bohemians.

Bandon are set to ask the Irish Hockey Association for an explanation of a controversial series of events in their 3-2 Irish Hockey Trophy final defeat to Clontarf on Saturday.

Today (2.30pm unless stated)