TO the wider hurling public Darren McCarthy has carved a reputation as an excellent goalkeeper with Cork underage teams but for his club Ballymartle he will forever be associated with his contributions outfield after the stunning conclusion to yesterday’s All-Ireland club IHC final in Croke Park.

A SCRAPPY encounter in this Munster club IHC semi-final in Ballyagran yesterday, but a dominant second-half performance was enough to see Ballymartle qualify for the final against Tipp side Borrisokane in Mallow on Sunday week.

BALLYMARTLE justified their status as championship favourites once more in Minane Bridge last night when they staved off a spirited challenge from local rivals Courcey Rovers before triumphing in the Evening Echo Cork PIHC semi-final.

CONNACHT dented the Newport Gwent Dragons’ Magners League play-off hopes with a controlled performance at the Sportsground last evening.

Ulster 22 Newport-Gwent Dragons 22

SIMON EASTERBY has been ruled out of the remainder of the Scarlets’ Heineken Cup campaign.

THE word panic is clearly not in Michael Cheika’s dictionary; the Leinster coach has handed home debut opportunities to three players for tonight’s Magners League clash with Newport Gwent Dragons at the RDS (7pm).

IN-FORM Bulls’ centre Wynand Olivier will be back to give the Waikato Chiefs an even harder time in the New Zealanders’ first Super 14 final in Pretoria tomorrow (Sky Sports Xtra, 4pm)

LEINSTER coach Michael Cheika admitted his team still has a way to go before it can successfully compete on two fronts after their Magners League campaign ended with defeat at Newport Gwent Dragons.

LEINSTER will roll out the big names for Saturday’s crucial Magners League clash with Munster at Thomond Park (7.30). The return of Brian O’Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney was a no-brainer for coach Michael Cheika as Leinster set about trying to overhaul leaders Munster.

Ballymartle 1-10 Ballinhassig 1-5

CONNACHT will face Samoa skipper Filiso Levi in their Magners League clash with the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday (2.15pm).

Ballymena's Chris Henry, recently, awarded a ful-time contract, will lead Ulster A out against Leinster A at Ravenhill on Friday evening, kick off 6.30pm.

Coach Matt Williams has brought Matt McCullough, Isaac Boss, Kieron Dawson and Bryan Young back into the Ulster starting line-up to play the Ospreys in Swansea tomorrow night.

MUNSTER coach Declan Kidney gets a chance to utilise some of his lesser known squad members when the A team take on Ulster A in Temple Hill today, seeking a second victory over their Northern rivals (2pm).

ULSTER caretaker boss Steve Williams has given a vote of confidence to the 22 that gained the team’s first home victory since September in defeating Bourgoin last Friday for the final Heineken Cup clash against Pool 2 favourites Gloucester at Kingsholm.

Ulster Caretaker Coach Steve Williams has added Mark Bartholomeusz and Paul Steinmetz in a 24-man squad for his side's final pool game against Gloucester in the Heineken Cup on Sunday.

Ulster caretaker coach Steve Williams has made no changes to his side for the Heineken Cup tie at home to Ravenhill on Friday night.

EXORCISING their Murrayfield ghosts may be Leinster’s primary goal for the visit of Magners League basement boys, Ulster, to the RDS on St Stephen’s Day, but under pressure Blues coach Michael Cheika may also have a point to prove to his detractors.

Ulster caretaker coach Steve Williams has made three changes to his side for the Magner's League tie with Leinster at The RDS on St Stephen's Day.

Ulster caretaker Coach Steve Williams has named David Humphreys and newcomer Grant Webb in an extended squad to preare for Leinster in the Magner's League at The RDS on St Stephen's Day.

A Daniel O’Donovan point seven minutes into injury time earned Dohenys a 2-12 apiece draw with Bantry Blues in the Evening Echo Cork County SFC quarter-final at Aughaville on Saturday.

BALLYMARTLE recovered from a potentially disastrous start to overcome Bandon and storm into the third round of the Evening Echo Cork IHC at Ballinspittle yesterday.

IAN McGEECHAN has insisted Lions flanker Lewis Moody will be available for selection against Otago on Saturday.