WARM favourites Christian Brothers College Cork advanced to the semi-finals of the Avonmore Munster Schools Senior Cup at a windswept and wet Mardyke yesterday, but only after they overcame a strenuous and brave challenge from battling Ard Scoil Rís.

Arsonists are to blame for at least three of the raging fires in southern California that have so far claimed the lives of 20 people and destroyed more than 2,600 homes, authorities said.