Some of the Clare players who soldiered after the ‘97 All-Ireland final victory recall the ‘famine years’.

DRAMA before the throw-in and drama at the death in Waterford IT sports campus on Saturday, as the University of Limerick grabbed a late, late goal from sub Thomas O’Brien to win the Fitzgibbon Cup.

CORK hurling manager Denis Walsh acknowledges that there are some “serious” contenders in their training panel for a small number of places in the squad.

The Cork hurlers beat a student side for the second week running, overcoming the challenge of a well-organised UL outfit at Pairc Ui Rinn.

UNIVERSITY of Limerick are sweating on the fitness of leading attacker Willie Ryan ahead oftomorrow’s Ulster Bank Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final against Waterford IT (Dangan, 2pm).

New manager John Meyler watched his Kerry hurlers fall to a 3-15 to 1-15 defeat at the hands of UL this afternoon, with Kilkenny's Matt Ruth grabbing the clinching goal for the Limerick students.

A LIMERICK parent has taken his two daughters out of a city convent school because he is not satisfied with a health screening carried out after a girl there was diagnosed with TB.

TOP scorer Andrew Quinn may have been forced to watch the major part of Sunday’s Clare county hurling final from the sideline after an early injury, but it didn’t prevent him from celebrating a famous victory for Tulla which had special relevance for himself and his brothers Brian, Mark and Karl.

At a meeting of the GAA's Central Appeal’s Committee last night, appeals on behalf of Clare’s Barry Nugent, Colin Lynch and Andrew Quinn were heard.

Clare hurling manager Tony Considine is facing more problems than just the 'Semplegate' affair ahead of his side's opening All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Antrim on June 30.

Clare manager Tony Considine has insisted his team will not be pulling out of the All-Ireland hurling championship, despite suggestions to the contrary by Clare County Board chairman Michael McDonagh.

Suspensions have been imposed on Clare players Barry Nugent, Alan Markham, Andrew Quinn and Colin Lynch, and Cork’s Sean Óg Ó hAilpín, Diarmuid O Sullivan and Dónal Óg Cusack, the GAA has confirmed.

The case for freeing the 'Rebel Four' to face Waterford next Sunday week will be heard tonight in Croke Park.

Unofficial reports have named the suspended players following the pre-match fracas that occurred in last weekend’s Munster SHC between Clare and Cork.

Clare 1-11 Cork 1-18

The Clare team to face Cork in Sunday's Munster SHC opener includes three championship debutants (Semple Stadium, throw-in 2pm).

Down 1-13 Clare 3-25

In a repeat of last year's Munster SHC decider, Cork and Tipperary will contest next Sunday's Waterford Crystal Cup final after wins in the competition this afternoon.

A GREYHOUND who touched the nation after she was discovered by welfare officers with her ears hacked off looks like she’s been in the wars all over again. But this time, it’s all for her benefit.

A GREYHOUND which had its ears hacked off by brutes who wanted to hide her identity has become a celebrity of sorts.

Clare have brought Barry Nugent into their side, in a straight swap for the injured Andrew Quinn, for Sunday's Munster SHC semi-final against Cork (Semple Stadium, throw-in 4pm).

CLARE have made just one change from the side that lost to Cork in last season’s Guinness All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final for Sunday’s Muster duel with their conquerors of nine months ago at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

ALLSTAR forward Eoin Kelly is just one of the many disappointed at the rugby/hurling fixtures clash this weekend.

ANIMAL welfare officers treating a dumped greyhound which had its ears hacked off claim they are edging closer to tracing its owner.

BRIAN LOHAN could make a comeback for Clare in Sunday's Allianz NHL semi-final clash with Limerick at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

DNA samples have been taken from a greyhound which had its ears cut off in a determined bid by animal welfare authorities in Waterford to track down those responsible for the savage act.

BRIAN LOHAN will miss Clare’s crunch Allianz NHL Division 1A clash with Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday. The full-back is getting married on Friday.

SHOCKED animal welfare officers revealed yesterday they had difficulty determining the breed of a pet dog, found in a distressed condition at the weekend.

Andrew Quinn has been ruled out of the Clare team to face Wexford in NHL Division 1A on Sunday (Wexford Park, throw-in 2.30pm).

BRIAN MURPHY and Tom Kenny are to return to the Cork team for Sunday’s Allianz NHL clash with Waterford at Pairc Uí Rinn.

DEFENDING champions Kilkenny will have their James Stephens contingent of Eoin Larkin, Jackie Tyrell, Donncha Cody and Eoin McCormack available when they travel to Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday.

Clare justified their heavy favourites’ tag as they scored a comprehensive 5-21 to 0-09 victory over Down in their NHL Division 1A opener in Ennis this afternoon.

Clare will open their NHL Division 1A campaign against Down on Sunday (Cusack Park, throw-in 1.30pm) without team captain Seanie McMahon.

A BIG doubt surrounds the Nemo Rangers seven for Cork’s clash with Kerry in the final of the McGrath Cup at Pairc Uí Rinn on Sunday.

A FAMILY pet which was saved from drowning was butchered with an axe or a grinder by thugs who then threw the dog up on a pillar outside a housing estate and left it to die.

ANTHONY DALY and his more senior players will make no impulse decisions over their futures with Clare, according to captain Sean McMahon.

Cork 0-16 Clare 0-15