The all-too-familiar criticism surrounding Cork hurling’s underage plight was yet again dragged front and centre in the wake of the county’s Munster semi-final defeat to Waterford earlier this month.

Cork U21 star Anthony Spillane admits that the county carry an extra weight of expectation at underage level, based on tradition.

Seán Barron and Michael O’Halloran are the two Waterford debutants for Sunday’s Munster SFC quarter-final against Tipperary in Semple Stadium (3.30pm).

Fitzgibbon Cup Group B - UCC 1-14 UL 1-14: This certainly didn’t feature in the script, Jason Forde’s injury-time point bringing the curtain down on UCC’s Fitzgibbon Cup involvement. 

Waterford SFC: Although this latest renewal lacked the usual bite, keen rivals The Nire and Stradbally still served up a six-goal spectacle at Fraher Field on Saturday evening.

Waterford selector Dan Shanahan has described Philip Mahony’s season ending injury as "a massive shock".

Rathgormack sub Jamie Kirwan grabbed a decisive goal in injury time at Fraher Field on Saturday to secure their first win of 2014 and inflict a second defeat on Clashmore.

Two years ago, St Saviours and Ballinameela faced off in a battle to avoid the drop from top flight football but this weekend both booked their places in the Waterford SFC quarter-finals.

Ballinacourty and Stradbally advanced to the Waterford SFC quarter-finals after the completion of the third round over the weekend.

Clare senior hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald will give championship debuts to four players in Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final against Waterford in Thurles (throw-in 4pm).

Michael Hurley has been named at in attack in the only change to the Cork side for this evening’s Electric Ireland Munster MFC semi-final with Tipperary in Semple Stadium (7.30).

Ballinacourty’s hopes of retaining their Waterford SFC title were ended by arch rivals Stradbally (2-12 to 0-12) in Saturday’s exciting semi-final at Fraher Field, Dungarvan.

The Nire booked their place in the last eight of the Waterford senior football championship with a 1-13 to 1-5 victory over 2011 champions Ballinacourty in Saturday’s group stage clash at Fraher Field.

Although there was never a doubt about a decisive Kerry victory in last night’s Munster MFC losers group game at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, the quality of the Kingdom display raises serious questions about their ability to win the provincial title.

AFTER being sensationally relegated from senior ranks twelve months ago, Clashmore returned to the top flight courtesy of this six-point victory over John Mitchels in the Waterford IFC final at Walsh Park yesterday.

PREVIEW: Munster U21FC Semi-Final

LIMERICK boss Ger Hegarty has made two changes for tonight’s crucial Munster MHC play-off with Waterford at the Gaelic Grounds, 6.30pm.

AFTER a lifetime of service on the playing fields, Brian Lohan has turned his attention to management.

REIGNING Waterford senior football champions Ballinacourty advanced impressively into the quarter-finals when they overwhelmed Kilrossanty 3-14 to 0-7 at Bohadoon in one of six games played over the weekend.

DONEGAL football manager Brian McIvor has refused to confirm that two of his most senior players, Brendan Devenney and Adrian Sweeney, have been axed from the panel ahead of the upcoming Ulster championship clash with Derry.

BOHERBUE'S KEVIN Murphy replaces regular goalkeeper Kevin O’Dwyer on the Cork team to play Tyrone in the Allianz NFL at Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday.

THE smart money will be on a repeat of last year's 'Old Firm' decider between Mount Sion and Ballygunner.

Ardmore 3-12 Kilmacthomas 0-5

THERE are four debutantes on the Cork Senior football team for Sunday’s Munster Championship semi-final against Kerry in Killarney.

MUNSTER Council secretary Simon Moroney has confirmed that Kerry will play Cork in the provincial SHC on May 16 in Pairc Uí Chaoimh as part of a double-header with the SFC game between Limerick and Tipperary.

CHAMPIONS Kerry include five of last year’s starting 15 for tonight’s opening game in the Munster MFC against Clare in Cusack Park in defence of Munster minor crown.

CONOR FITZGERALD is to miss Limerick’s historic Allianz NFL Division One campaign.

Ardmore 0-12, Clashmore 0-9

Ballinacourty 1-7

NINETEEN years after making his inter-county debut, Mickey Linden is back in the Down senior squad for this year’s Ulster championship.

Preparations are complete for the staging of the opening round of the Winter League at the West Waterford club.

MANY of the heroes of Ardmore’s historic Waterford intermediate hurling county final victory last Saturday are back in action again this afternoon, with the seaside club bidding to retain its Under 21 ‘A’ football title against Rathgormack at Walsh Park (2.30pm).