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.

The depth of affection for the late Tony Keady far beyond Galway’s borders was underlined again on Saturday when a deputation from Cork visited Oranmore to make a presentation of Cork hurling memorabilia to the Keady family, writes Larry Ryan of the Irish Examiner.

Blackrock 1-22 Ballyhea 1-13: Twelve months after losing heavily to Ballyhea, Blackrock were this time standing on the winner’s rostrum after a low-key Cork SHC first round clash at sun-splashed Mallow yesterday.

Seán Óg Ó hAilpín is to make his first foray into the area of club management following his appointment as coach of Na Piarsaigh’s senior hurling and premier intermediate football teams.

Blackrock 1-21 Duhallow 0-8: Blackrock collected their third Cork U21AHC title in four years – their fifth overall — at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

Blackrock 1-12 Duhallow 1-12: A courageous fightback by 14-man Duhallow earned them a deserved draw in the Cork U21AHC final at Páirc Uí Rinn yesterday. 

Blackrock 3-18 Na Piarsaigh 1-12: Blackrock completed a five-in- a-row in the Seandun Sportsturf Solutions U21 A hurling championship following a 12-point win over Na Piarsaigh at Ballinlough on Saturday.

Stats, psychology, structures and sports science are great, but often, a ravenous hunger trumps all requirements

Former Cork hurling captain Fergal Ryan does not believe failure to get out of Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League would impact too negatively on their championship prospects.

Eighteen years after they first met in the Munster championship, Clare’s Ollie Baker and Fergal Ryan of Cork came face to face again this week to recount the good, and not so good, days of their inter-county careers.

With every underage hurling trophy comes greater pressure and expectation for the future, but Blackrock are more than happy to embrace it.

Despite winning 32 Cork senior hurling titles, Blackrock have only won four county U21 championships.

Sarsfields 4-13 Blackrock 0-6

AN eager Blackrock side completely overwhelmed city rivals Douglas in this Cork SHC first-round game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday evening.

MICHEÁL MARTIN swept through Enda Kenny’s heartland promising to revive the tourism industry if he successfully thwarts the Fine Gael leader’s bid to become taoiseach.

IT’S a final. However, it’s not one either club is accustomed to, or one they crave to be involved in.

Following a lengthy press conference in Douglas last night, the 2008 Cork senior hurling panel have urged supporters to back the Rebels through their clubs in a bid to end the current impasse between the players and the Cork County Board.

A DRAMATIC conclusion to this Evening Echo County SHC second round in Riverstown yesterday, as a late goal by Cork defender Brian Murphy rescued Bride Rovers from a defeat by Ballinhassig that looked likely, as the scores finished 3-7 to 1-13.

RESIDENTS of a scenic Ring of Kerry village, who claim they are being ‘overwhelmed’ by holiday homes, have won the backing of An Bord Pleanála.

Midleton 0-12 Blackrock 0-10

DUHALLOW take on Carbery tonight in the Cork Senior Hurling Championship in Coachford (7.30pm).

FERGAL RYAN (Irish Examiner letters, November 17) feels that the unwillingness of Irish rugby players to “sing the anthem of the country they are playing for” is a reason for under-performance on the pitch.

IF our national rugby team are too embarrassed to sing the anthem of the country they are playing for, is it any surprise that they under-perform when the game kicks off?

St Colman’s, Fermoy 2-15 North Monastery 0-6

ST NICKS’ chances of victory against St Finbarr’s in tonight’s Cork SFC game at Páirc Uí Rinn (6.45pm) have been dealt a massive blow following the departures of goalkeeper Peter Cuthbert and full-back Donal Óg O’Donovan to the States for the summer.

A SMOOTH enough passage for All-Ireland champions Newtownshandrum and an eight point victory for Blackrock were the highlights of a small permanent tsb Cork County SHC programme over the weekend.

IRISHMEN and Irishwomen: In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom.

TO understand the success story that is Newtownshandrum, a chat with this year’s senior captain, John McCarthy, comes highly recommended.

A LOT can happen in four years. Just ask Fergal Ryan, John Browne, Brian Corcoran, Mark Landers, Neil Ronan and Fergal McCormack.

CORK GAA chiefs will respond in full to criticism from the county’s striking hurlers at a Board meeting tomorrow night.

HURLING in Cork was thrown into chaos last night after the county’s senior squad went on strike.

The Cork senior hurling panel have withdrawn their services with immediate effect.

BLACKROCK have no injury worries following last weekend’s Munster club championship encounter with Kerry champions Kilmoyley and as they face into Sunday’s daunting encounter with Clare champions Sixmilebridge.

THE Cork County Board are no nearer resolving the problems they have with their senior hurling players and, with the coming season just four months away, there is no senior hurling coach either.

Blackrock 1-14 Newtownshandrum 0-12

CORK hurling was plunged into a crisis last night as seven leading inter-county players rowed in behind goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack’s stinging attack on the GAA chiefs in the county.