It’s not that Clare’s opening salvo in this year’s National League was a box-ticking exercise, but as soon as the final whistle sounded to signal this facile 16-point victory it’s safe to say that everyone of a saffron and blue hue was moving towards next Sunday’s mouth-watering clash with Wexford.

As expected Clare opened their National League campaign under new manager Brian Lohan in impressive fashion as they eased to a comprehensive 16-point victory over Colm Bonnar’s Carlow in Ennis.

Rockwell made it safely through to the second round of the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup and a meeting with Bandon Grammar School with a comprehensive win over High School Clonmel at Musgrave Park on Wednesday.

Kiely is looking towards the end of January as much as next weekend’s Munster League final against Cork.

St Senan’s retained their North Kerry SFC title, thanks to two final quarter goals. Brosna were attempting to win their first North Kerry senior title but the more experienced side won after a well contested final at a packed Ballylongford on Sunday.

The Irish Examiner broadcast its first-ever inter-county match live today, with the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League meeting of Tipperary and Clare.

That 2020 campaign will officially begin this Sunday with the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League game against Clare at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh, which will be broadcast live on the Irish Examiner Sport Facebook page.

After a five-year hiatus, Milltown/Castlemaine lifted the Michael O’Connor Cup as they defeated Laune Rangers by a single point in this Mid Kerry SFC final in Glenbeigh.

Cork claimed their first LGFA All-Ireland U14 Platinum title since 2013 at the expense of Galway in Banagher county Offaly this afternoon.

All-Ireland champions Limerick are all but guaranteed of a top-three finish in Munster after this 18-point thumping of Clare.

There has been no wielding of the axe by the Clare management in the wake of last weekend’s 13-point hammering at the hands of Tipperary, with the team named for tomorrow’s game against Limerick showing just one change in personnel.

A Shane O’Donnell and Tony Kelly-led Clare spoiled Waterford’s Munster championship homecoming to leave the Déise playing a dangerous game of catch-up in the coming weeks.

Three goals in as many second half minutes earned Kanturk victory at the expense of Castletownbere in an error-strewn Cork PIFC first round replay at Ballingeary yesterday.

A whirlwind third quarter performance from Roscommon CBS powered the school to their second ever Paddy Drummond Cup crown this afternoon in Croke Park, a goal from wing back Cian Murray the crucial score in their 1-12 to 1-11 win over Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra of Rathmore.

Rockwell College bridged a 22-year gap as they won the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Junior Cup for the 20th time with a superb performance over defending champions St. Munchin’s College at Musgrave Park this afternoon.

Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, survived a stunning comeback from Ashbourne Community School to edge out a thrilling All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools SBFC semi-final at Waterford IT on Saturday.

Rockwell edged a thrilling contest of two equally matched teams at Thomond Park yesterday to qualify for the March 27 final of the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Junior Cup against holders St Munchins.

Aaron Gillane pointed a free in the fifth minute of injury-time to snatch a draw for All-Ireland champions Limerick against the only team to beat them in last year’s championship.

Rockwell College held on for an impressive Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Junior Cup win over Presentation Brothers College, beating the Cork men 16-13 in Musgrave Park.

Ballyea 1-21 O’Callaghan’s Mills 1-17

Meanwhile, Tipperary hurling manager Michael Ryan has handed a first league start to corner-forward Cian Darcy.

The honours went to Waterford in this Allianz Hurling League Division 1A clash at Walsh Park yesterday, but it is important to note Clare were already guaranteed a quarter-final (pitted against Limerick).

Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford put paid to his native county’s perfect start to Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League on Sunday afternoon courtesy of an impressive and dominant second-half performance.

Kanturk (Cork) 3-13 Middletown Na Fianna (Armagh) 0-12: Kanturk cruised into the All Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Final today with a comprehensive dismissal of Ulster Champions Middletown Na Fianna of Armagh.

Clare 4-17 Cork 0-18: The Munster Council have brought forward the Munster SHL final between Clare and Limerick by one week to avoid the counties meeting on successive weekends.

Kanturk 2-17 Kilburn Gaels 2-8: They were a happy bunch sitting in Heathrow departures.

Kanturk 2-17 Kilburn Gaels 2-8

Having already won the county Premier IHC title, Kanturk completed a double in holding on to edge out Mitchelstown in the IFC decider at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Cistercian College, Roscrea will face Gonzaga College in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup, following their narrow victories over CBC Monkstown and Castleknock College yesterday.

Ballyea 1-11 Clonlara 1-11: Like the football decider a week ago, the Clare SHC final ended in a draw at Cusack Park yesterday.

Kanturk 1-15 Carrigaline 2-6: Kanturk were far too strong for a youthful Carrigaline in this Cork IFC first round tie in Mallow yesterday.