They may have grown accustomed to journeying the backdoor route in the Cork SFC in recent seasons but Ballincollig passed their opening assignment of this year’s championship in powerful fashion at Dunmanway on Saturday night.

HAVING dominated Saturday’s Liam Breathnach Cup final at Ballygarvan from the start, Tracton almost saw their lead slip in a 15-minute spell which yielded 1-7 for Ballincollig.

HAVING been the better side for much of the second-half of yesterday’s SFC final, a five-point defeat was cruel on Castlehaven, the late penalty from Daithí Casey, followed by two Gavan O’Grady points, stemming their momentum.

THE glory they experienced in the third-level arena last spring ensured 2011 would always be filled with special memories for the UCC football camp.

ST FINBARR’S produced a workmanlike performance to see off a Douglas outfit that never got into their stride in an uninspiring Cork City JAFC final replay at Riverstown last night.

THREE points without reply in the last five minutes was enough for St Finbarr’s to snatch a draw against Douglas in this City JAFC final played in atrocious conditions in Ballinlough on Saturday.

A POWERFUL second-half display with the wind, highlighted by Brendan Coughlan’s vital 45th minute goal, propelled Kinsale to their first IFC final at Riverstown on Saturday afternoon.

NEWCESTOWN will continue to fulfil a dual mandate in the Cork county championships after success in a gripping Premier IHC quarter-final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday afternoon.

NOT quite a west Cork derby to savour at Skibbereen on Saturday, Ilen Rovers never coming close to the quality they produced in the thrilling opening round loss to Carbery Rangers.

THE destination of the Cork IFC title was decided in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday by the 53rd minute penalty scored on the rebound by David Goold and the one missed five minutes later by the unfortunate Andrew O’Brien for Kildorrery.

HE has formed a reputation as a football defender of note during his career but it was on the hurling stage where Owen Sexton was the hero in yesterday’s Evening Echo Cork IHC semi-final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

NO winner in yesterday’s Evening Echo Cork SFC second round clash in Newcestown, a glorious injury-time point by Ballincollig substitute Killian Kelleher ensuring a replay.

Valley Rovers 0-10 Ballydesmond 0-7

A COMMON drug used to treat heart attacks caused a fatal stroke in an elderly man.

Glenville 0-11 Macroom 0-5

St Kierans, Kilkenny 1-15

ST KIERAN’S has long been a prolific nursery for Kilkenny senior hurling, best illustrated by the fact that 10 of Brian Cody’s All-Ireland winning team of last year came up through the ranks of the renowned hurling college.

St Colman’s 2-13 St Flannan’s 0-8

St Colman’s 8-14