The recession may have cast a cloud over the country, but it’s proving to have a silver lining for the hi-tech sector in terms of attracting more and better students.

A virtuoso display from teenage star Declan Hannon denied Clare a merited home win in Sixmilebridge in a marathon Waterford Crystal quarter-final on Saturday evening.

A winning debut for Davy Fitzgerald in his first competitive game at the helm of his native county as a far fitter, faster and fired-up Clare destroyed WIT in Sixmilebridge yesterday in this Waterford Crystal SH Tournament preliminary game.

John Meyler's Kerry hurlers made history this afternoon as they claimed the county's first ever Waterford Crystal Cup win by overcoming IT Tralee.

LAOIS began life under Cork legend Teddy McCarthy with a battling extra-time victory over DIT in Rathdowney on Saturday.

HOLDERS Crusheen recorded their first win in the championship when they defeated Clooney-Quin 1-14 to 1-11 at Cusack Park, Ennis last evening.

ST BRENDAN’S CS, Birr were the convincing inaugural winners of the All-Ireland Community and& Comprehensive Schools U-17½ hurling championship title after they overwhelmed Blackwater CS of Waterford at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny yesterday.

THE winning momentum generated by their senior side’s pulsating success last Sunday was maintained by the Tipperary U21 hurlers in Semple Stadium last night as they swept to victory over last year’s All-Ireland champions Clare in the Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21HC final.

THEIR senior hurling fortunes may reside at a low ebb after the All-Ireland senior qualifier mauling at the hands of Dublin, but Clare U-21 star John Conlon has pleaded with the Banner supporters to be patient with the streams of underage talent that the county are producing.

REIGNING Munster and All-Ireland U21 champions Clare stay on course to retain their titles, but only after a hugely entertaining battle against Limerick in this Munster semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds last evening.

STUDENTS at University College Cork have welcomed the cancellation of a controversial planned €65 fee for graduates attending summer conferrings.

THE authorities at University College Cork (UCC) have agreed to reexamine their books to see if a proposed €65 graduation fee can be reduced.

THE president of University College Cork (UCC) is due to meet students leaders today as opposition mounts against controversial plans to introduce a €65 graduation fee.

STUDENTS staged a protest at University College Cork (UCC) yesterday over the planned introduction of a €65 graduation fee.

The UCC Students Union has hit out at the college for bringing in a graduation fee of €65.

STUDENT leaders criticised the Government last night after a top university was forced to impose a €65 fee on students wishing to attend their graduation ceremony.

GARDAÍ will lead a major and co-ordinated crackdown on University College Cork’s (UCC) annual Rag Week event next week.

STUDENTS have reacted angrily to the call by University College Cork’s president for a hike in the €1,500 registration fee in the upcoming budget.

THOUSANDS of students voiced their opposition to being hit with extra charges on top of higher registration fees when they took to the streets of Cork opposing any return of college fees.

UCC Students’ Union president Eoin Hayes has expressed hope any strike action that library staff might take will not affect quality of service.

THE Limerick county board are to delay naming their two new senior hurling selectors until later this month.