In another life, decades ago, I was very partial to Cronin’s for it is a pretty special pub, uniquely Irish yet possessed of an intriguing otherness.

Kerry put a foul first period to one side in Tralee Wednesday night and outscored the Munster and All-Ireland champions Cork 0-12 to 0-3 after the break. Impressive stuff.

The Gaeltacht forward was near unmarkable in the second period, winning three frees, one of which he converted, claiming and converting a mark, while also adding two from open play.

Neither Cork nor Kerry were overly impressive in their respective opener so the favourite tag sits idle heading into this Munster final.

There will be two Highfield men in the Munster front row at Thomond Park this evening when James Cronin and Kevin O’Byrne pack down against the Scarlets.

For the second year in succession, Monaghan’s Josh Moffett (Hyundai i20 R5) won the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel Rally, this time finishing 27.1 seconds ahead of the similar car of Antrim’s Desi Henry. Sheffield driver Ollie Mellors (Proton Iriz R5) was third.

Deferred by 24 hours due to poor weather conditions, Clare were not deterred by the delay, with attackers Mark McInerney and Shane Meehan on song for the Banner.

Sinn Féin will not be disciplining a newly elected TD who previously linked Israel to Nazism and also suggested a picture of monkeys at computers was the Israeli embassy.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan has lauded Rosscarbery native John Hodnett after his man of the match Pro 14 league debut in the runaway 68-3 victory over Southern Kings at Musgrave Park on Friday night.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Leesiders, who have been UL’s victims on each occasion.

Here are just some of the big names that will be taking part.

Holders UCC were denied a second successive Collingwood Cup final appearance, going down 2-1 to Ulster University after a thrilling semi-final at the AUL Complex.

The Sinn Féin surge looks set to claim a major scalp in Kerry in the form of Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae, according to the latest TG4/Ipsos MRBI poll.

There was confusion last night about the final score of the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 clash between Limerick and Tipperary at LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Cork got their Littlewoods Ireland Division One camogie league campaign off to a winning start at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Cork showed that they are in fine shape to defend their U20 All-Ireland title after they defeated Kildare in the John Kerins Cup final.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission says an investigation into allegations centering on the supplementary register in Kerry is still ongoing.

Andy Farrell's first squad was not one named for shock value, though the omissions are as notable as the new additions.

“You just can’t beat games.”

Specialist help is needed to come up with a road surface that will have the ability to cope with Killarney’s renowned horse and carriages, a council meeting has been told.

Ultimately, it was St Michael’s more polished forward division that earned the Blackrock club its first Cork U21 ‘A’ football title since 1976 in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

A grim night for the visitors to the RDS. And it could have been much worse.

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well after a community rallied around a Cork family who lost everything in a devastating house fire the week before the big day.

You would not blame James Cronin for wanting to draw a line under the last two years of his Munster career.

The four Irish provinces have named their teams for this weekend's Champions Cup clashes.

With one old score comprehensively settled, redemption will again be foremost on Nemo minds when they step into the ring with Corofin early in the New Year.

Johan van Graan has challenged Munster’s batch of young and inexperienced scrum-halves to step into the void left by the departing Alby Mathewson and apply the pressure on Conor Murray for the province’s No.9 jersey.

It is not just Racing 92 who possess the talents to unlock opposition defences. Not if you are talking to Stephen Larkham at any rate.

All the reviewers seem to have loved Ballycotton and its beaches, cliff walk, pubs and restaurants.

Munster head coach Johann Van Graan stressed the importance of his side’s last-minute try as it secured the province a 32-15 bonus-point win over Ospreys.

Ireland’s search for a maiden November Women’s International victory continues after they suffered an agonising defeat to Wales in the UCD Bowl on Sunday afternoon.

Mourneabbey will get the chance to retain their All Ireland Ladies Senior Football Club title after a hard fought win over Monaghan’s Donaghmoyne in Mourneabbey this afternoon.

A second-quarter scoring surge was decisive, as St Michael’s took the inter-divisional JBFC title, at Páirc Uí Rinn, on Saturday evening.

Jack O’Sullivan and Jed Holloway both made their debuts as part of the Munster pack, with the Waratahs import Holloway lining out in the second row alongside captain Billy Holland.