CORK IT will meet Cork in the semi-final of the McGrath Cup next Sunday after overcoming IT Tralee without too much trouble at the CIT Sports Stadium yesterday.

Youghal 2-12 Newcestown 2-7

TO say Newcestown are dogged would be an understatement.

TO say Newcestown are dogged would be an understatement. They simply don’t know how to lose.

THIS time around Carbery Rangers made certain of their place in the semi-final of the Cork SFC for the second consecutive year, with more conviction and ability in Saturday evening’s replay in Clonakilty than they had managed seven days earlier.

WE could have done without the excesses of physical challenges on and off the ball which prevailed for much of the game in Clonakilty’s state-of-the-art complex on Saturday afternoon.

BARRY HORGAN provided the inspiration as Newcestown saw off the challenge of Bishopstown in a keenly contested county senior football championship fourth round tie in Ovens last night.

JOY for Newcestown, huge heartbreak for wasteful Clyda Rovers.

AUSTRALIA got their trip to Ireland off to a successful start in Páirc Uí Rinn last night, but it’s a moot point as to whether they gleaned much information before the decisive clashes that lie ahead.

Australia made a winning start to their 2010 International Rules tour of Ireland, with a comprehensive 105-12 victory over a Cork Colleges selection under the Pairc Ui Rinn floodlights in Cork tonight.

NEMO Rangers five-in-a-row title dream ended when they crashed out of the Cork SFC at the quarter-final stage at the hands of West Cork divisional outfit Carbery in Bandon last night.

THERE may be a strong tide of favouritism starting to weigh in behind Carbery’s county senior football aspirations, but coach Gene O’Driscoll is loathe to jump on that bandwagon yet.

THE opening shots are fired in the 2009 Evening Echo County Premier IFC tonight in Cloughduv and the first battle of the year should be a lively affair.

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.

CHAMPIONS Cork are compelled, under rule, to field a completely new team for the All-Ireland junior football championship, but they are back tonight to defend their provincial crown against Kerry at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7.30pm).

Cork IT 2-11 Avondhu 0-9

SFC: Avondhu v CIT, Watergrasshill, 7pm.

DARAGH EGAN will be hoping for a second victory over Cork in three days when the Tipperary minor footballers play the Leesiders in the Munster championship semi-final at Kilmallock tomorrow night (7.30pm).

IF ever a player epitomises what his club means to him it’s Niall Cahalane.

Clonmel High School 2-11