The sporting community in Cork and beyond turned out in force yesterday to honour the memory of renowned hurling coach Archdeacon Michael O’Brien, whose funeral took place in his native Innishannon following Mass in St Mary’s Church yesterday.

All-Ireland winning coach Archdeacon Michael O’Brien, whose death occurred Friday after a long illness, was described by Cork secretary Frank Murphy as ‘a wonderful priest deeply devoted to his calling’ and a man with ‘very special talents’ in the management of teams at a variety of levels.

The man who was affectionately known as ‘the Canon,’ had the Midas touch when it came to developing hurling talent and coaching teams to success at the highest level, achieving this with St Finbarr’s, Farranferris, UCC and Cork at underage and adult level.

The Ched Evans controversy in Britain has provided plenty of talking points in the last couple of weeks.

Three days on and the soul-searching continues.

Saturday’s Waterford Crystal Cup clash between Cork and UCC at the Mardyke takes on extra significance as it will also be the first staging of the Canon O’Brien Cup.

TOMORROW’S Harty Cup final is a welcome distraction for hurling fans in Limerick. Given the problems regarding their senior hurling team, it’s a boost for the county to see a school from Shannonside contesting the decider.

A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to rezone sports land for houses on the site of one of country’s most famous hurling schools in a €50 million redevelopment plan was submitted yesterday.

THE Kerry tourist industry is preparing for its busiest weekend of the year.

Brendan Larkin

St Finbarr’s, Farranferris 0-8 Mayfield Community School 0-5

St. Josephs (Borrisoleigh) 0-15 Farranferris 0-8

TOMORROW’S Dr Harty Cup tie between Farranferris and St Joseph’s (Borrisoleigh) could be a nostalgic affair.

TOMORROW’S Dr Harty Cup tie between Farranferris and St Joseph’s (Borrisoleigh) could be a nostalgic affair.

DEFENDING champions St. Flannan’s, Ennis will be without two key players for tomorrow’s Dean Ryan Cup final against DLS Waterford in Cashel (2 p.m.).

FOLLOWING yesterday’s Corn Uí Mhuirí games, the positions in the four sections are a bit clearer.

TOMORROW is make or break time for a number of colleges in the Dr. Harty Cup.

Shannon Schools 1-14, St Finbarr’s, Farranferris 1-12

CHRISTIAN Brothers College, Cork, one of the great rugby schools, proved they can play hurling too with a 4-9 to 3-11 victory over Farranferris in the Locker Room O'Callaghan Cup (Cork Colleges "A" SHC) quarter-final yesterday.

FAMOUS rugby nursery Christian Brothers College have entered a hurling team in this year’s Cork Colleges SHC.

CORK Colleges break with tradition tomorrow night when Farranferris and Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh clash under lights at Páirc Uí Rinn in the O’Callaghan Cup final (7.30 pm).

IT is with more than a little bemusement that I have been following recent media repots of the stand-off between Bishop Buckley, sole trustee of St Finbarr’s College, Farranferris, Cork, and the staff and parents of the students, regarding the proposed closure or amalgamation of the college.

ANOTHER effort is to be made within the next two weeks to try to resolve the impasse over the prospective closure of Farranferris College in Cork, which has been objected to by a number of parents and teachers. Bishop John Buckley has agreed to meet local TDs and councillors shortly to discuss the matter.

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to amalgamate two of Cork City’s best-known schools must go ahead, despite opposition from teachers and parents, the Bishop of Cork and Ross has told the Irish Examiner.

ST KIERAN’S has long been a prolific nursery for Kilkenny senior hurling, best illustrated by the fact that 10 of Brian Cody’s All-Ireland winning team of last year came up through the ranks of the renowned hurling college.

IN their first year playing Dr Harty Cup hurling, Youghal CBS are within sight of a place in the knock out stages.

THE Munster Colleges Dean Ryan Cup (Under-16 1/2 hurling) begins today, but when normally, youngsters would usually struggle on heavy, waterlogged pitches with long grass on a soft sod, recent weather conditions are conducive to top-class, top-of-the-ground hurling.

NEXT year's Irish Examiner Dr Harty Cup will be played on a round robin basis following a decision made at the recent Munster Colleges AGM.