Given next Sunday’s Munster Club semi-final against St Finbarr’s will be their third game in 14 days, Dr Crokes were quietly thankful for the straightforward nature of this trip to Tipp.

Christmas came early for the nation's sporting grassroots todayas the Government unveiled details of its €56m capital grants programme.

There’s a little history between Ballygunner and Na Piarsaigh. Given the pool of clubs jostling to get out of the Munster club SHC, that’s hardly surprising, but Paul Flynn is worried that the backstory may be more beneficial to the Limerick champions than to his club mates in black and red.

In this first hurling final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh Nua, Imokilly were the better side and deserved their win, says Donal O’Grady.

Clonmel Commercials 2-9 Killenaule 0-8... Two goals in the closing seven minutes swept favourites Clonmel Commercials to victory over Killenaule in a well-contested Tipperary senior football final at Semple Stadium, Thurles yesterday.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 0-17 Ballygunner (Waterford) 0-16: Yesterday’s Munster Club SHC quarter-final came down to one play in injury time, when Thurles Sarsfields’ free-taker, Pa Bourke, stood over a 65 that would nudge his side one ahead against Waterford champions Ballygunner.

Over the winter, most football folk in Tipperary would have been excited about the prospects of our 2016 chances on the back of reaching All-Ireland finals in both minor and U21 last year.

Cork footballer Barry O’Driscoll looks set to miss the remainder of the Allianz FL with an ankle injury.

Seán Óg Ó hAilpín is to make his first foray into the area of club management following his appointment as coach of Na Piarsaigh’s senior hurling and premier intermediate football teams.

The Clonmel Commercials dressing room sings in perfect unison.

Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) 2-18 Ballygunner (Waterford) 2-11: Na Piarsaigh’s greater experience and physicality served them well yesterday in Semple Stadium, as they turned on the afterburners in the second-half to beat Ballygunner to the Munster Club senior hurling title.

Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) 3-11 Sixmilebridge (Clare) 1-15: NA PIARSAIGH remain on course for a third Munster Club hurling title in five years after a blistering second-half performance saw them power past the home side at O’Garvey Park, Sixmilebridge yesterday.

Limerick SHC final

Cork GAA chiefs have drawn up a shortlist of four names to replace departed senior football manager, Brian Cuthbert.

Several Tipperary clubs will play “more than once a week” to avoid a repeat of last year when the county were unable to compete in three Munster Club competitions.

Mallow’s GAA Sports Complex is capable of hosting several provincial fixtures, according to its general manager Liz Foley.

Valentia-Daribhre Young Islanders (Kerry) 0-12 Kildimo-Pallaskenry (Limerick) 1-8: Munster JBFC final:

McGrath Cup Final

Kieran Donaghy won’t forget The Nire anytime soon, writes Michael Moynihan.

Kilmallock boss Ger O’Loughlin said the Munster Club had been his aim with the Limerick side all year.

AIB MUNSTER CLUB SHC FINAL:

The Nire (Waterford) 1-11 Ballylanders (Limerick) 0-7

Ballygunner 1-10 Cratloe 3-07

Pat Ryan could see it coming.

Kevin McStay has received strong backing from several Mayo clubs in his bid to become the county’s senior football manager.

The message that black cards are not worth picking up is getting through to teams, according to GAA president Liam O’Neill.

Ballysaggart 3-12 Feenagh/Kilmeedy 0-15