Éamonn Fitzmaurice and Tony Leen ran the rule over both teams alongside Colm O'Connor in the commentary box.

New Kerry U20 football boss John Sugrue has slammed the changes that have been made to the age grade as “farcical”, suggesting the GAA is too quick to respond to criticism when it comes to football.

As journeys go, it’d be hard to find a more remarkable one across the length and breadth of Irish sport. From Eritrea to France, onwards to Ireland and finally, two years later, standing proud on a European podium in Portugal.

No senior, U20, or minor inter-county panel should be permitted to return to collective training before December 1, according to Connacht secretary John Prenty, who has called on Croke Park to hand over governance of training ban rules to provincial councils.

Connacht coach Andy Friend has warned his side can’t afford to get into an “arm wrestle” against Montpellier in their return to the Heineken Champions Cup this weekend.

Former Dublin footballer Ger Brennan is fearful scheduling changes to the Sigerson Cup and All-Ireland U20 football championship could lead to young players dropping out of college.

“Momentum is a very important thing,” begins Cork minor football manager Bobbie O’Dwyer.

Liam Cahill could see that level of performance coming from his Tipperary side last Saturday night, writes Peter McNamara.

Tipperary U20 hurling manager Liam Cahill has described as “lunacy” the rule which prevents young footballers from playing U20 and senior championship in the one summer, insisting that there is no threat of burnout to the three members of his panel who are also part of Liam Sheedy’s set-up.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt was honoured by the Rugby Writers of Ireland at the annual Guinness Rugby Writers Awards, having been awarded the prestigious Tom Rooney award in recognition of his immense contribution to Irish rugby.

Their 3-16 to 1-14 win over Dublin is the county’s first All-Ireland football title, junior excluded, since the Sam Maguire triumph of 2010.

Brian Hartnett is your quintessential late bloomer.

Cork GAA chair Tracey Kennedy described Meyler as "an outstanding servant to Cork GAA in a variety of roles over many years"

Meyler led the Rebels to successive Munster titles in 2017 and 2018, but the defeat to Limerick in last year's All-Ireland semi-final left a lingering aftertaste in the county as Cork coughed up a late six-point lead.

Embarrassing. A crisis. Unacceptable. And those were the more moderate terms used in the media to describe the state of Cork football just last March following the county’s relegation to Division 3 of the Allianz league.

Unlike a fortnight ago when the Cork hurlers and footballers were forced to line out at Croke Park on separate days, common sense, thankfully, has prevailed this weekend. Two Cork teams playing back-to-back at the one venue on the same day. Scheduling can be rather simple when done right.

The burden of having to carry the Cork hurling flag as the last of their county teams still standing “is a privilege, not a pressure”, according to U20 manager Denis Ring.

Cork U20 football manager Keith Ricken has been “blown away” by the attitude and positivity of his charges.

Cork and Kerry played out a thrilling John Kerins Cup U20 League draw in Clonakilty last night.

Cork and Kerry played out a thrilling John Kerins U20 Cup League draw in Clonakilty this evening.

Towards the end of last season, Johnny McNicholl asked himself a rhetorical question: “Am I Welsh? It’s a tough question to answer. I don’t know.”

It’s been a rough few weeks and months for Cork GAA.

Connacht have only beaten Munster five times in the professional era, but it looks like they will be without Bundee Aki as they bid to make it four wins from five home matches against their neighbours.

Connacht have been boosted by the return of Bundee Aki to training ahead of Saturday’s inter-pro clash with Leinster at the RDS.

Former Ireland star Damien Duff is on his way to Celtic next month to take up his first full-time coaching post.

Connacht’s decline after winning the PRO 12 title in 2016 started immediately in the first game of the defence of the crown when they fell to a record 41-5 loss to Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground.

Down will be without their free-taker Donal O’Hare for their round 2 Qualifier against Cavan on Saturday.

Seán Hayes finds himself a busier man than usual. Having held the post of Cork U21 football manager from 2014-17, his inter-county duties are normally done and dusted by this time of year.

Kerry U20 selector Eamon Whelan is disappointed with the rule which prevents David Clifford and Seán O’Shea from playing with their side today.

March isn’t yet in, but the GAA has madness in abundance. John Fogarty sets out five examples of how some have recently been losing the run of themselves:

Connacht prop Conor Carey is hoping to push on this spring and start emulating some of the achievements enjoyed by the tightheads he came through with on an exceptional Irish U20 squad.

Exeter Chiefs were a run-of-the-mill second-tier English side when Gareth Steenson arrived in 2008 and the Irish fly-half believes Leinster’s visit to Sandy Park will be the ultimate barometer of just how far the club has come since.

Connacht back-row Eoghan Masterson says it came as no surprise to him to see Scarlets win the PRO12 last season and that he expects a real challenge from the champions this weekend as Connacht aim for a second win of the season.

Munster A couldn’t have faced a stiffer challenge than the champions in today’s B&I Cup opener with London Welsh at Towns Park, Midleton (2.30p.m.), but coach Peter Malone believes his young side will be up to the task.

January 2015. Nigel Carolan is sitting in the Bective Rangers clubhouse at Donnybrook Stadium explaining his coaching philosophy before the upcoming Six Nations campaign that will be his first in charge and it is a recipe few supporters would refuse.

Valencia claim have hired former Manchester United coach Phil Neville as assistant to head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after the departure of Scotsman Ian Cathro.

Today (2.30pm unless stated)

Ireland will hope to complete a clean sweep against Scottish opposition when the international clubs sides clash at Temple Hill on Friday (7.30pm).