“We’ve got James McCarthy back on the pitch, Eoin Murchan, Jonny Cooper, Diarmuid Connolly’s back training with us, Rob McDaid is back, Peadar Byrne Ó Cofaigh is with the U20s, Darren Gavin’s coming back this week as well so there’s a whole host of players who are returning to play and then there is the squad themselves.”

Cork senior hurling manager John Meyler says any of the county U20s who “put up their hands” playing at that level can come into consideration for the senior side this season.

Hard work did a young Na Piarsaigh side make of this first-round Cork SHC clash.

Big things were expected but it didn’t go according to plan for Na Piarsaigh last year, especially after reaching the Cork SHC semi-final in 2017.

A storming first-half helped UCC secure a home quarter-final in the Fitzgibbon Cup, following their seven-point victory over NUIG at the 4G pitch in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday afternoon. Unbeaten after three games, they topped Group A.

Bandon 2-15 Na Piarsaigh 0-15: Last September, Bandon’s first year back at senior level ended with a quarter-final defeat to Na Piarsaigh, with goals proving decisive for the city side.

Bandon Grammar 7 - St Munchin’s College 5: Ever-improving Bandon Grammar School laid down another marker with a sensational victory over unlucky St Munchin’s in yesterday’s thrilling Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup first round tie at Bandon RFC.

Bandon Grammar School brought off another one of their trademark shocks in today’s Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup first round tie at Bandon RFC.

Further experimentation, further opportunity to impress.

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.

Somewhat ironic isn’t it that the county’s most impressive minor final victory of recent times will pass largely under the radar because of what transpired in the main event.

Two second-half goals from Jack Canning delivered Galway an 11th All-Ireland minor title.

A first Electric Ireland Munster minor hurling title for Cork since 2008, then, but a post-match warning from manager Denis Ring.

The Munster MHC semi-final replay between Cork and Tipperary will not go ahead as scheduled tomorrow afternoon, with the game pushed back until Monday evening, writes Eoghan Cormican.

The incentives for the Cork minor hurlers are many: To be the team that ends the county’s nine-year wait for a Munster final appearance at this level, to end the reign of the 2016 All-Ireland champions, to exact revenge for defeat by Tipperary at this hurdle last year, and to ensure there are two Cork teams at Semple Stadium on July 9.

Cork 1-24, Waterford 0-8: Cork eased into the semi-finals of the Munster MHC with this 19-point rout of Waterford The Déise, who entered the contest off the back of a heavy defeat to Clare, were aided by a slight breeze in the opening period and yet found themselves seven in arrears at the break, 0-11 to 0-4. 

That the final winning margin was 14 points doesn’t really do justice to what was an at-times thrilling Carrigaline Court Hotel Rebel Óg Premier 1 MHC decider at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

Waterford 1-10 Cork 0-17: An impressive Cork side overcame a disastrous start to ease to victory over Waterford in this Munster MHC clash in Walsh Park, Waterford.

Tallow 1-14 Ballyduff Upper 0-16: Fraher Field was subdued yesterday afternoon for the Waterford SHC semi-final between Tallow and Ballyduff Upper, which Tallow eventually won by the narrowest of margins.

Waterford SHC quarter-finals

Na Piarsaigh 4-16 Glen Rovers 2-15: A final quarter surge, inspired by captain Craig Hanafin, saw Na Piarsaigh claim the Cork Premier 1 U16 HC title on Saturday in Páirc Uí Rinn.

Tallow 2-15 Ballyduff Upper 1-13: Tallow backed up last week’s draw against De La Salle with a win over neighbours Ballyduff Upper in a fiercely disputed Western derby at Lismore last night.

Castletroy College 2-13 Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG 0-18

Maurice Shanahan measured a last-minute free to supply Lismore with the draw they required on Saturday night to reach the quarter-finals and nudged Fourmilewater towards the relegation play-off.

Sarsfields 1-20 Na Piarsaigh 1-17

Waterford SHC, Round 4

Tallow 1-13 Ballyduff Upper 0-15

Cork hurling fans will hope Saturday’s Tony Forristal U14 Tournament in Waterford proves to be a good omen for the week ahead with the Rebels defeating Clare (3-9 to 0-5).

Waterford hurlers suffered a massive pre-championship blow with the news Pauric Mahony has been ruled out for the entire campaign.

ALTHOUGH Passage bagged a brace of goals in the closing seven minutes of their Waterford SHC quarter-final against holders De La Salle at Walsh Park on Saturday, the 2-18 to 3-12 scoreline doesn’t nearly mirror the measure of the champions’ dominance.