Firefighters have scaled new heights to raise a record €148,000 for a charity which sends seriously ill children and their families on a dream holiday.

Intermediate Football Championship final

“In training, they’ll do anything you ask them to do. They’d go through a brick wall for you"

Firefighters in Cork city and county are to hit new heights — with the world’s highest mountain in their plans.

Limerick 2-13, Clare 1-13: A devastating mid-game stretch when they hit 2-8 with just a point in reply powered Limerick’s junior footballers to a Munster semi-final date with Kerry in the Gaelic Grounds yesterday.

A look ahead to all the weekend’s action around Cork...

A man who has brought smiles to the faces of countless sick and deserving children was given a standing ovation by more than 250 guests as he was pronounced Cork Person of the Year.

A community has rallied to help a family in north Cork whose home has been gutted by fire just two weeks before Christmas.

Midleton CBS 3-15 Hamilton High School Bandon 1-6: Midleton CBS proved too strong for Hamilton High School Bandon in the Harty Cup at Ballincollig yesterday, recording their first win following an opening round defeat by Ardscoil Rís.

Dripsey 3-9 Aghada 2-9: Having battled relegation in recent years, Dripsey now find themselves in a first Cork IHC final against all expectations.

Imokilly 2-28 Ballyhea 3-11: A strong showing from Imokilly at Kilworth last evening in the Cork SHC, classy in all sectors, they defeated last year’s Premier intermediate champions Ballyhea by 14 points to book their quarter-final place against titleholders Sarsfields in Cobh on Saturday week.

Aghada 2-14 Castlemartyr 1-11

The absence of Shane Kingston is a major blow to Cork’s hopes of beating Limerick tonight (7.30pm, Gaelic Grounds) for the second time in this year’s Electric Ireland Munster minor hurling championship, manager Denis Ring has admitted.

Imokilly 0-20 UCC 0-17: Imokilly’s greater balance in attack proved vital in returning the divisional outfit to the Cork SHC fourth round after a six-year hiatus.

St. Finbarr’s 0-11 Aghada 0-8: Measured against their greater potential in the first half when they were limited by some poor finishing, it was no surprise to see St. Finbarr’s emerge victorious from this second round Cork SFC game in the wind and rain in Carrigtwohill on Saturday evening.

Dohenys 1-11 Aghada 0-10: Daniel O’Donovan’s opportunist goal at the three-quarters stage helped power Dohenys to a deserved victory over Aghada in the opening round of the Cork senior football championship at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.

Eoghan Cormican examines the contenders for this year’s Cork SFC, which kicks off this weekend at several venues.

Cork 2-20 Limerick 1-13: A blistering 12-minute spell either side of half-time – in which the home outfit hit 1-6 without reply – propelled Cork past the reigning Munster champions to avenge last year’s semi-final defeat.

A Cork charity has given an all-expenses-paid trip to Disneyland to a teenage boy with autism who was the victim of a horrific assault.

Take one sumptuous regency mansion, stuff it full of magical Christmas cheer, add in more than a sprinkle of goodwill and, hey presto — you have the perfect festive recipe for kids who deserve nothing less.

Hamilton High School, Bandon 2-16 Midleton CBS 0-21

Midleton CBS 0-11 CBS HS Clonmel 0-10

Aghada 1-11 St Vincent’s 1-8

Cratloe advanced to a Clare SFC semi-final with Éire Óg, Ennis next weekend after an impressive 2-6 to 0-7 win over Kilrush Shamrocks in Clarecastle yesterday.

Kilmurry-Ibrickane, champions for the past two seasons, were brought back down to earth at Cusack Park on Saturday when they succumbed to an impressive Cratloe by 0-11 to 0-4, in round one.

More than 240 sick children will get a real treat next week when they’re transported into a winter wonderland at Fota House.

MORE than 240 seriously ill children are set to see their Christmas wish come true next week when they are chauffeur-driven to meet Santa and receive a framed photograph of their special day.

BANDON Co-op in West Cork saw its turnover soar by 75% to €85 million during 2010, according to its annual accounts for last year.

CHRISTMAS may still be two weeks away, but Cork children bravely overcoming serious medical and social problems were given an early seasonal treat yesterday as a special visitor came to town.

DANCE creator Michael Flatley will drive his Rolls Royce to Fota House next week during a two-day event aimed at putting broad smiles on the faces of 240 sick and vulnerable children.

THE reaction of pretty teenager Lorna Ahern at dinner in Disneyland Paris last night summed it all up.

FIGHTING illness can be a tough thing, especially when you’re young.

CHRISTMAS has really come early for four-year-old Cian O’Brien.

IT’s NOT every day a child can say they had a ride in a “roller” belonging to a twinkletoes millionaire Michael Flatley.

A STYLISH city pub will be transformed into a catwalk next week to raise funds for sick children.

IF you were an ostrich or a peacock, Killarney Races wasn’t a safe place to be yesterday.

Some 42 sick youngsters from the south west were today heading to EuroDisney Paris on a trip organisers say is just what the doctor ordered.

CLOSE to the line at Newmarket on Saturday, Channel 4 commentator Simon Holt described the winner of the English 2000 Guineas as Gorgeous George.

Donal Hickey, Killarney

A €1.5M building planned for Killarney Racecourse has been described as the most ambitious development in the 70-year history of the local race firm.