THE natural order of club football matters on Leeside has been restored.

A tasty City Division J‘A’FC final at Ballinlough yesterday as holders Whites Cross and St Finbarr’s battled to the finish but could not be separated after an entertaining contest that ebbed and flowed.

ST FINBARR’S are back in a senior final for the first time since 1993 following a deserved victory over favourites Carbery in an entertaining Evening Echo Cork county SFC semi-final at a Pairc Ui Rinn last night.

A new initiative aimed at bringing small firms together in a way which enables them to lead the local economy out of recession was launched today.

A new interactive online resource, smallbusinesscan.com, has been launched today to help the 250,000 SMEs across the island of Ireland beat the downturn.

JAMES O’BRIEN scored the vital goal with less than three minutes remaining to give Ard Scoil Rís victory in an enthralling Dr Harty Cup (Munster Colleges SHC) tie at Tipperary Town yesterday.

ST FINBARR’S underscored their right to a place in Cork football’s top flight at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening when they stormed into an apparently unassailable lead and then withstood a late rally from gallant Newcestown in a the second half to an enthralling Cork Evening Echo IFC semi-final.

ST FINBARR’S are still on course to regain senior status following a four-point victory over Ballinora in the Evening Echo Premier IFC quarter-final at Pairc Uí Rinn last night.

CORK defender Michael Shields confirmed yesterday that the rumpus between the Cork County Board and its inter-county hurlers and footballers played a key role in his decision to move to Australia in the new year.

CHAMPIONS DLS Waterford open the defence of their Harty Cup title with a tricky local derby clash against Waterford Colleges at Walsh Park tomorrow.

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.

CORK selectors have retained just six of the players who figured in last season’s championship defeat by Fermanagh for their opening televised game under lights in the NFL League game at Pairc Ui Rinn against All-Ireland champions Kerry on Friday.

CORK will be without five regulars for Friday night’s opening NFL game against Kerry under lights at Pairc Uí Rinn (8pm).

THE thought of Fermanagh contesting the Bank of Ireland football championship final is now a real possibility. Tomorrow they take on Mayo; the Ernesiders first All-Ireland semi-final.

CORK are hopeful that star defender Anthony Lynch will be fit to resume playing in time for their second round game in the Bank of Ireland football qualifier competition on July 3.

Kerry 0-15 Cork 0-7

CORK supporters can expect a decent challenge from Billy Morgan’s team when they face holders Kerry in the Bank of Ireland Munster SFC semi-final in Fitzgerald Stadium tomorrow (2.15).

THE year Seamus Moynihan did his Leaving Certificate in St Brendan’s College, he had more than studies on his mind.

JOHN CROWLEY says that it will be “touch and go” whether he can play against Cork in the Bank of Ireland Munster football championship semi-final in Killarney on June 13.

Westmeath 0-14 Cork 0-12

St. Finbarr’s 1-11 O’Donovan Rossa 1-11

Tyrone 1-9 Cork 1-9

WITHOUT question, Billy Morgan was the happier of the two managers coming off the field in Parnell Park at the end of yesterday's Allianz National Football League tie.

Dublin 0-9 Cork 0-9

Cork football star Fionan Murray returned to the Rebel County panel last night after missing the whole of the winter.

Cork star Fionán Murray will continue playing for his county despite initially opting out of Billy Morgan's panel for personal reasons.

PÁIDI Ó SÉ was on a spit and Kerry were roasted, but amid the cackle of electricity that reverberated around Páirc Uí Rinn, the only real winner from last season’s opening night floodlit extravaganza in the Allianz Football League was the coffers of Cork’s County Board.

KERRY midfielder Darragh O Sé is facing up to eight weeks on the sideline after chipping a bone in his ankle in a trial game in Killarney.

Clare hurling star Colin Lynch and Cork footballer Fionán Murray have both been handed three-month suspensions by the GAC.

TEAM captain Darren Fay returns to the Meath team for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland, Leinster SFC semi-final clash with Kildare at Croke Park.

COMPETING counties in this year’s All-Ireland senior finals can look forward to receiving an extra 1,500 tickets each, but the general allocation to counties will be reduced by approximately 5%, the GAA’s Central Council has agreed.

Cork star Fionan Murray may be hit with a three month ban following his latest sending off for the county team on Sunday.

CORK footballers and management will meet tomorrow evening to review their woeful display against Limerick on Sunday.

CORK footballer Fionán Murray faces the threat of a three-month suspension following his dismissal in Sunday’s game against Limerick.

Limerick 0-16

CORK footballers got a timely warning at the weekend of the potential of Limerick ahead of next Sunday’s Munster SFC clash with the Shannonsiders at Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

THE DJ Carey injury jinx has struck again. After only three inter-county games since his dramatic return after a prolonged series of injuries last season, the Kilkenny hurling star has been laid low again.

DUNSHAUGHLIN captain Aidan Kealy has been given a last minute reprieve by Croke Park’s GAC to play in Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland club SFC semi final against Crossmolina.

CORK senior footballer Fionan Murray is facing an eight-week ban after being sent off in the NFL first round clash with Kerry on February 1 .

Cork football forward Fionan Murray may be hit with a three-match ban when he comes before the Games Administration Committee this week.