A strong third-quarter showing - during which the hosts outscored Offaly by 0-6 to 0-1 - ensured Cork made a winning start to life in Division 3 of the Allianz football league.

The road to Tier 1 salvation will take the Cork footballers to the heart of Division 3 in Longford, by way of Tipperary and Leitrim.

Ciaran Sheehan also makes his first competitive start for Cork in seven years.

John Fogarty previews the weekend's GAA fixtures.

“It is becoming an elite association and they are just catering for inter-county, while and clubs, third-level, and second-level are all suffering.”

Having been set to take time away from football after his spell as Kildare manager, Cian O’Neill has revealed how Ronan McCarthy coaxed him into the Cork set-up as a coach to the senior footballers.

There are 17 clubs represented in the matchday panel, and 10 on the starting team.

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

Russell Rovers had too much firepower for a gallant Kilgarvan side in Saturday’s Munster Club JHC clash at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Russell Rovers stormed to their first adult hurling county title, taking the Cork JAHC crown ahead of fellow East Cork side Carrig na bhFear at a rain-soaked Pairc Uí Rinn.

Next Sunday’s Cork SFC semi-final between near neighbours Nemo Rangers and Douglas, provided the weather conditions allow for it, could be a slick game of football.

All-Ireland U20 football winners Cork have seven of the 20 players named as the top performers in this year’s championship.

EirGrid has revealed the top 20 players of this year’s U20 All-Ireland Football Championship.

I had the privilege of assisting with the development of the Galway U20 footballers over the past few months. Our squad mantra was very simple: the players would endeavour to improve in every session. Our manager, Pádraic Joyce, picked no selectors. Instead, he opted for coaches.

Brian Hartnett is your quintessential late bloomer.

Cork will play Dublin in next weekend’s All-Ireland U20 football final after reeling in a seven-point second-half deficit to overcome 14-man Tyrone.

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.

GAA history was made at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening, when Russell Rovers celebrated a first adult county championship success.

US-based IT semi-conductor and wireless communications firm Skyworks Ireland has moved into the ground floor of Cork city’s tallest building, The Elysian.

Glen Rovers 0-18 Midleton 1-12: The last time Glen Rovers reached consecutive Cork SHC finals was at the end of the 1980s, when a loss in ’88 to St Finbarr’s was followed in ’89 with victory over Sarsfields.

Glen Rovers have reached a second consecutive Cork SHC final but they will have to wait another week to find their opponents in the October 11th decider, with Erin’s Own and Sarsfields drawing in the second semi.

Group A: DCU v Cork IT, DCU Sportsgrounds (B Gavin), 2pm.

Kerry 2-14 UCC 2-23

Maia Dunphy examines our concepts of beauty in the concluding episode of her series What Women Want on RTÉ2 on Thursday.

Midleton 3-18 Killeagh 1-13

There are four changes in the Tipperary side for Sunday’s clash with Dublin at Semple Stadium in the final round of Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League (2pm).

ALLIANZ HL DIV 1B:

As Cork make the long trip to Ballycastle on Sunday in the search for a handsome win over Antrim to boost their scoring difference, Jimmy Barry-Murphy has made six changes to the side that beat Offaly last weekend.

A near-perfect day for hurling at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday for this Munster SHC semi-final, and a near-perfect game plan by Sixmilebridge.

Usually in a game as tight as this, there is one significant moment that decides victory.

Midleton 2-21 Na Piarsaigh 1-06

Na Piarsaigh 3-16 Ahane 0-07

Midleton 1-24 Bride Rovers 1-11

St. Ita's clubman Seamus Harnedy will make his Championship debut for Cork when they take on Clare in Sunday's Munster SHC semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds (throw-in 4pm).

Cork 5-14 Limerick 2-17

Fit-again duo Shane O'Neill and William Egan will start in defence for Cork in Sunday's Allianz Hurling League Division 1A relegation play-off against Clare at the Gaelic Grounds (throw-in 3pm).

UCC 2-17 Mary Immaculate College, Limerick 2-12

Both Cork and Tipperary will field players making their first Allianz Hurling League starts when they meet in tomorrow's Division 1A opener at Páirc Uí Rinn (throw-in 7pm).

UCC 1-13 NUIG 0-14

Mary Immaculate, Limerick 1-13 UCC 1-13

Cork senior footballer Denis O’Sullivan has applied for a transfer from Ballinascarthy to neighbouring club Clonakilty.

The adverse weather impacted on the spectacle but Saturday’s eagerly-awaited Fitzgibbon Cup final in the Mardyke concluded in a blaze of drama as UCC claimed a thrilling extra-time success as they celebrated the centenary of the competition in style on home soil.

UCC 2-15 CORK IT 2-14, the Mardyke (after extra-time)