Parents from rural schools around Cork and Kerry brandished placards at the hurling and football double-header in Cork, urging the Government not to shut down rural Ireland.

Sporting rivalries are being abandoned as Cork and Kerry communities plan a joint protest over cuts to small school teacher numbers at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

GAELTACHT schools are seeking postponement of changes to the Leaving Certificate Irish exam which they feel will not challenge or reward native speaker students.

A TOTAL of 88 households, representing 120 pupils, have signed up in support of legal action against an all-Irish teaching policy in a school in Dingle, Co Kerry, it was claimed yesterday.