Dripsey are through to the next round of the Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship as they deservedly defeated Na Piarsaigh 1-15 to 1-11 in Ballincollig last night.

A rousing closing quarter from Blackrock – during which they outscored their opponents by 0-6 to 0-1 – advanced them to a first Cork SHC final since 2003.

Na Piarsaigh 0-13 Naomh Abán 0-3: Na Piarsaigh were on top of their game in Carrigadrohid on Saturday, producing a fine display of football to book a quarter-final place in the Cork Premier IFC. On a wet evening, they emerged easy victors in this round 2A clash against a Naomh Abán side that never got going.

Bantry Blues 2-8 Na Piarsaigh 0-6: Richard Harrington wore the look of a man who just had his shoulders relieved of a heavy load which had stubbornly sat there since the first Friday in May.

Na Piarsaigh 5-13 Youghal 0-12: Ian McDonnell scored a hat-trick of goals as Na Piarsaigh ensured that their passage to round four of the Cork Senior Hurling Championship was relatively straightforward at Cloyne on Saturday evening.