Kerry junior football manager Jimmy Keane cannot fathom why so many counties do not bother fielding a junior team, believing the competition to be of even greater value since the U21 grade was lowered to U20.

Johnny Buckley remembers the afternoon well, standing helplessly with a water bottle in his hand, as Crokes were torpedoed around the Mallow pitch.

The managers of Clare’s last two county senior football champions have confirmed that withdrawing county players from the panel was discussed this week, as Colm Collins’ men prepare for tomorrow’s round two All-Ireland qualifier against Laois.

Kerry ... 1-17, Clare ... 2-8: Kerry will play Waterford in the Munster U21 football semi-final next Wednesday after this less than convincing quarter-final win over Clare, reports Eoghan Cormican from Austin Stack Park.

Dr Crokes (Kerry) 3-15 The Nire (Waterford) 0-6: Whatever about the decision to play the Rose of Tralee shortly after the final whistle, there could be no arguing with the rendition of Simply the Best that greeted winning captain Johnny Buckley as he ambled towards the presentation area.

Kerry supporters will have to wait until Dr Crokes’ involvement in the club championship comes to an end before Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper decides on his inter-county future.

Dr Crokes (Kerry) 1-14 Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) 0-8: The last time Dr Crokes travelled by road and sea from Killarney up to this scenic part of west Clare they got enough of a scare to ensure that they never took their foot off the pedal at Páirc Naoimh Mhuire yesterday.

Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-13 Cratloe 0-6: A powerful second-half performance saw Kilmurry Ibrickane claim their 11th Clare SFC title in front of a crowd of 3,722 at Cusack Park, Ennis.

St Francis College, Rochestown 2-13 Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig 2-11: Rochestown’s St Francis College showed their resilience to dig out victory in an entertaining Corn Uí Mhuirí Group A tie at Carrigaline yesterday.

SP SL, Rathmore 3-19 De La Salle, Macroom 3-5: It’s now three wins from three for Pobalscoil Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, in the Corn Uí Mhuirí after yet another impressive display in Mallow.

Legendary American college football coach Nick Saban once said: “Championship teams have to be resilient. No matter what is thrown at them, no matter how deep the hole, they find a way to bounce back and overcome adversity”.

Cork Reds 1-14 Cork Whites 1-5

Limerick hurling manager TJ Ryan has given three debuts for Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final clash with Clare in Semple Stadium (throw-in 4pm).

Clare enjoyed a facile victory over a very poor Waterford side in the quarter-final of the Munster U-21 football championship at Miltown Malbay last evening.

Clonakilty CC 2-15De La Salle, Macroom 1-11

Cratloe are poised to challenge for a senior hurling and football double in the Banner county.

Cork SFC quarter-final

Muskerry 4-14 St Nicholas 1-06

The quarter-final pairings for the Clare SFC were finalised at the weekend.

Clare SFC round-up : Holders Cratloe got off to a winning start in the opening round of the Clare SFC at the weekend, defeating Éire Óg 2-12 to 1-12 at Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday evening.

U17 football: Cork’s U17 football development squad faced Dublin in a series of challenge matches at Clonakilty last Saturday.

Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne 3-14 De La Salle 3-09

Simcox Cup final

St Nicholas 2-12 Newmarket 1-09

Kilmichael 2-09 Kilmurry 0-09

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.

Clonakilty 1-9 Nemo Rangers 1-7

Avondhu 1-11 Muskerry 0-10

Winter training is an undeniably hard slog in London, but it’s almost become second nature to Brian McBrearty.

Two years ago, around this time, Dr Crokes full-back Michael Moloney was hopeful of a second All-Ireland campaign, having progressed through Kerry and won the county, and a provincial final against Nemo Rangers stood between them and another tilt of the Holy Grail of club football.

Don’t think Stradbally are making up the numbers when they make the long drive from Waterford to Clonakilty tomorrow.

Dr Crokes manager Noel O’Leary said he always expected Kilmurry-Ibrickane were going to made lifedifficult for them.

Rockchapel manager Tom Doody may be no stranger to club football success, but yesterday will rank among his most memorable achievements.

Rockchapel 1-07 Kilmurry 0-07

Mick O’Dwyer is aiming to entice all players capable of performing at inter-county level to wear the Clare jersey.