James Owens improved his chances of refereeing his first senior All-Ireland hurling final with an impressive handling of the Galway-Cork All-Ireland quarter-final yesterday.

In one of the many great scenes in the film On The Waterfront, Charlie played by Rod Steiger, tells his younger brother, Terry (Marlon Brando) that he needs to be getting up a bit in the world — "You’re getting on. You’re pushing 30. You know, it’s time to think about getting some ambition," says Charlie.

Allianz FL Division 2

By Peter O’Dwyer

Cork 0-13 Kildare 1-07

Derrytresk and Dromid Pearses officials last night returned to Portlaoise to meet with members of the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC).

DIARMUID Connolly may have a case to answer for a clash with Kildare’s Ciarán Fitzpatrick during Sunday’s Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup semi-final.

GLENN RYAN didn’t have a happy return to long-time stomping ground St Conleth’s Park as Kildare subjected his Longford side to a double-score beating in the O’Byrne Cup.

There was mixed news for former Armagh team-mates Kieran McGeeney and Justin McNulty as the O'Byrne Cup got underway in Leinster today.

Laois senior hurling manager Damien Fox has made just one change to his side to face Limerick in tomorrow's National Hurling League play-off in Nenagh.