AUSTRALIA dominated almost six of the eight quarters but in the final period at Croke Park on Saturday night, such was the passion and understanding for what is required to prosper in this game, that Ireland almost produced an unlikely victory.

HAVING missed the drawn game through injury, returning All-Ireland captain Graham Canty’s presence at midfield for Bantry Blues in Carrigadrohid assisted their passage through to a semi-final meeting with Mallow in the Cork Premier IFC.

IT’S stating the obvious Cork would have preferred not to have had their anticipated place in the All-Ireland football semi-final wrapped up at such an early stage in Croke Park yesterday.

BOTH Cork and Limerick have made one change apiece from the sides that triumphed over Kerry and Clare, respectively, in the Munster SFC semi-finals for Sunday’s provincial final clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

FOR the first time since he began his illustrious career 14 years ago, Darragh O Sé has been excluded from the Kerry team to meet Cork in Sunday’s glamour Munster SFC semi-final clash with Cork at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.

NO SURPRISES in the sunshine of Fraher Field yesterday, with Cork running out comfortable winners over Waterford in this Munster SFC clash to set up their expected clash with Kerry in the Munster semi-final.

ARMAGH have suffered a massive blow prior to their crunch Ulster SFC clash with Tyrone as 12 players were quarantined when a stomach bug forced them into a one-week shutdown.

DESPITE a comprehensive nine points triumph over Laois last weekend, the Cork senior football selectors have made a number of changes for Sunday’s NFL Division 2 clash with Wexford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

COUNTY senior hurling champions Sarsfields will face fellow east Cork side Castlelyons in their first defence of their title on Saturday May 2, a game down for decision in Midleton.

Cork 1-15 Meath 0-09

ANY players involved in club games on the weekend that the Irish party leaves for Australia (October 18) ‘will be kept at home’ and fly out the following day.

MUNSTER football manager Sean Geaney last night joined the chorus of criticism regarding the timing of the inter-provincial championship. His selection options for tomorrow’s football semi-final against Leinster in Fermoy have been decimated by a combination of factors.

THE Leinster Council last night decided Sunday’s O’Byrne Cup Final between Laois and Dublin would be switched to Tullamore.

A MARVELLOUS eight minutes burst, during which they went from three points down to four in front, gave Bantry Blues a victory they just about deserved over St Michaels in round two of the Evening Echo county SFC at Macroom last night.

CARBERY RANGERS got their first season in senior ranks off to the perfect start at Aughaville last night, defeating Bantry in the opening round of the Evening Echo Cork Co SFC in a bruising contest.

BRIAN LOHAN will miss Clare’s crunch Allianz NHL Division 1A clash with Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday. The full-back is getting married on Friday.

Cork 1-11 Dublin 1-10

THE Nemo Rangers trio of Derek Kavanagh, David Niblock and James Masters have been included in the Cork team for Sunday’s Allianz National Football League showdown with All-Ireland champions Tyrone at O’Neill Park, Omagh.

ST FINBARR’S promising U21 player Michael Shields has been given a starting place on the Cork team to meet Kerry in the second round of the Allianz NFL under lights at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night next.

Offaly 0-12 Cork 1-05

Cork 1-8 Tipperary 0-5

PREDICTABLY, Cork players figured prominently among the winners at last night’s Munster Council awards.

IRISH manager Peter McGrath has made it clear to his players what he expects from them if they are to beat Australia tonight (throw-in 11.45am Irish time).

FOLLOWING this championship re-charge for Cork in Portlaoise on Saturday, manager Billy Morgan talked about being in a “bonus” situation by qualifying for next Saturday’s quarter-final against Galway.

TIPPERARY have deferred selection of their team to meet Galway in the quarter final of the Guinness All-Ireland SHC at Croke Park on Sunday until the weekend.

Cork 0-18 Clare 0-6

JAMES MASTERS, John Hayes and Fintan Goold will make their senior championship debuts as Cork throw down the gauntlet to Clare in Sunday’s Bank of Ireland, Munster football semi-final at Cusack Park, Ennis.

THE three substitutes who inspired Cork to victory over Clare have been retained for Saturday’s second All-Ireland SFC qualifier with Fermanagh at Croke Park.

Westmeath 0-14 Cork 0-12

Cork 2-8, Limerick 1-9

ACTION aplenty in the permanent TSB Cork County SFC over the weekend, pride of place going to a youthful St. Nick’s side who edged out last year’s beaten finalists, Clonakilty, 1-11 to 2-7 in Newcestown.

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.