These days, when the Cork county senior hurling championship final is called the ‘Little All-Ireland’ it’s done so with a healthy sense of self-depreciation as opposed to the self-delusion that existed in the past.

In a couple of sentences, Glen Rovers captain Graham Callanan illustrates how, on one hand, 2016 is a completely new experience and, on the other, the mission remains exactly the same.

Tomás Ó Sé has described Sunday’s dramatic Munster club final finale as one of the cruellest “sucker-punches” he has ever endured as a player.

 

Emerging from the Páirc Uí Chaoimh tunnel for their county quarter-final clash last September, Glen Rovers boss Richie Kelleher broke away from his squad to offer congratulations to the Na Piarsaigh management.

St. Nicholas 1-5 Dohenys 0-7 (Cork SFC Replay): Fortunate to earn a replay last week, St. Nicholas made no mistake this time when beating Dohenys by the narrowest of margins in Bandon yesterday to reach the last eight of the county SFC.

Ballymartle 2-19 Glen Rovers 0-23: Ballymartle’s Darren McCarthy sent a “pick me” message to Cork senior hurling manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy on Saturday night as he inspired the Riverstick club during a stunning second-half revival against the famed Glen Rovers in round one of the Cork SHC at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Having incurred their first loss against Newtownshandrum on St Patrick’s Day, the 2013 county champions responded emphatically, ending up 2-18 to 0-13 winners.

The third annual Reardens Club All Star awards take place next Monday at 7.30pm, with 45 hurlers and 45 footballers in contention to be recognised for their excellence in the senior championships this season.

Sarsfields 2-18 Glen Rovers 0-8

Muskerry 4-14 St Nicholas 1-06

Na Piarsaigh 2-16 Glen Rovers 0-17

Glen Rovers 3-18 St. Finbarr’s 2-15

Carrigtwohill 1-13 Glen Rovers 0-14

Given how Glen Rovers had fared in front of goal in this year’s Cork senior hurling championship, a 16-point win over Cloyne at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday would not have been high on the list of expectations.

Persistent rain and slippery underfoot conditions suggested this Cork SHC Round 2 clash would be a tight affair and that proved to be the case as Bishopstown prevailed by just a single point in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last night.

Clonakilty and St Nicholas have built up a tremendous rivalry and at Brinny on Saturday night they added to it in a hugely entertaining SFC second round tie that hung in the balance for most of the 62 minutes played.

All the positive spin in the world cannot hide the desperation that has engulfed the once mighty St Nicholas.

MEMORIES of the 1996 Cork SFC final meeting between Clonakilty and UCC will be revived after the students last night set up a quarter-final clash in this year’s championship with the West Cork side.

ST NICK’S were everyone's favourites to drop down a grade in the Cork SFC but they pulled off the great escape at Bandon last night, beating Dohenys 2-6 to 1-8, to deservedly maintain their senior status and at the same time stay in the title race.

Castlehaven 3-16 St Nicholas 0-7

CORK boss Denis Walsh placed several of the county’s upcoming talents under the microscope in Passage West yesterday and was rewarded with a thoroughly convincing victory in a senior hurling challenge against Clare.

NEW Cork hurling captain Shane O’Neill insists there’s sufficient young talent in the county to fill the vacancy left by Sean Óg Ó hAilpín.

Cork 3-17 UCC 1-22 (aet)

GLEN ROVERS’ painful 19-year absence from Cork county senior hurling final day will come to an end next Sunday.

NA PIARSAIGH claimed local bragging rights after crushing neighbours Glen Rovers in the opening round of the Evening Echo Cork senior hurling championship at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night.

IT’S always been said that the National League is a secondary competition; well now we know that is true.

Milford clubman Eoin Dillon has been named at full-back in the Cork team for Sunday's Allianz NHL Division 1 final against Galway at Semple Stadium (throw-in 7pm).

AN exhibition of point scoring by John Gardiner, plus two goals from local hero Michael Cussen, edged Cork to an exciting victory over Waterford in an entertaining challenge game to mark the official opening of the Sarsfields club’s new sand based pitch and flood-lighting system at Riverstown on Saturday night.

Cork manager Denis Walsh has made two changes to his team for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC Phase 3 qualifier against Galway at Semple Stadium in Thurles (throw-in 7pm).

OKAY, on that scoreline it looks a comprehensive win, and it was, eventually.

CORK skipper John Gardiner is a doubt for this evening’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier with Offaly.

GLEN ROVERS renew acquaintances with Newtownshandrum in the Evening Echo Cork SHC with confidence.

Kilkenny 4-26 Cork 0-11

PAT HORGAN turned on the style from frees and play to power Glen Rovers to a thrilling 1-17 to 2-10 victory over Cloyne in their Evening Echo Cork SHC first-round replay at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Cork hurling team to face Dublin in Parnell Park on Sunday will feature a number of new faces.