Having been set to take time away from football after his spell as Kildare manager, Cian O’Neill has revealed how Ronan McCarthy coaxed him into the Cork set-up as a coach to the senior footballers.

Trailing by 0-11 to 0-7 at the break, Thomas’ won the second period by 1-6 to 0-3, but it wasn’t until the final 12 minutes of the half that the Thomas’ display really sparked to life.

Louis Mulqueen’s possible candidacy for the Galway manager’s job stepped up another notch yesterday, when he guided city side Liam Mellows to their third county senior final in a row.

A first Rebel Óg Premier 2 MHC title for Kiltha Óg at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

Ballinora overcame the elements as well as a dogged Adrigole side to book their place in the third round of the Cork IFC at Kilmichael on Saturday.

Midfielder Killian O’Hanlon, who missed the Dublin game because of a head injury, is back in the Cork team to face Tyrone.

The Cork footballers must be “streetwise” and “patient” during Saturday’s must-win Super 8 tie against Tyrone, a fixture which selector Sean Hayes has described as the “game of our lives”.

Dublin’s scoring power will not deter Cork from remaining faithful to the attack-minded approach which delivered the county a Super 8s spot, manager Ronan McCarthy has said.

Cork will spend the next two weekends in Croke Park after comfortably securing their place in the Super 8s with this emphatic 14-point dismissal of Laois.

The inconsistency which plagued Cork football in recent seasons is no longer an issue, according to goalkeeper Mark White.

Cork have opted to go with an unchanged side for Saturday evening’s Munster SFC final against Kerry in Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7pm).

The furnishings in Pairc Ui Rinn won’t rival Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano for comfort anytime soon, but no-one was forced to the edge of their seats Saturday night in Cork as the hosts romped to a 21-point Munster SFC semi final victory over Limerick.

Limerick manager Billy Lee has kept faith in the XV who defeated Tipperary in the first round as the Shannonsiders bid for a first Munster SFC final since 2010.

Cork have handed out three championship debuts for Saturday’s Munster SFC semi-final against Limerick in Páirc Uí Rinn.

It might only be the McGrath Cup, but the Cork footballers, for a variety of reasons, would be best served by ensuring the pre-season silverware is perched at the front of the team bus when it pulls out of Willie Clancy country tomorrow afternoon.

Down will be without their free-taker Donal O’Hare for their round 2 Qualifier against Cavan on Saturday.

Seán Hayes finds himself a busier man than usual. Having held the post of Cork U21 football manager from 2014-17, his inter-county duties are normally done and dusted by this time of year.

UCC 1-12 Garda College 2-7... UCC advanced to a Sigerson Cup quarter-final with NUIG next week thanks to a rescue job led by two Kerry men, Sean O’Shea and Killian Spillane.

Sean O’Shea produced another outstanding performance in a memorable week but it was another Kerryman who delivered the dramatic winner.

Cork reached a seventh consecutive EirGrid Munster U21FC final in a row at Páirc Uí Rinn on Wednesday night, but got a tough test from Limerick.

St Vincent’s 0-12 Ballymun Kickhams 0-11: A 57th minute point from Albert Martin proved decisive as St Vincent’s narrowly defeated Ballymun Kickhams in their absorbing Dublin SFC semi-final at Parnell Park last night.

Cork minor manager Brian Herlihy says there is “absolutely no fear of complacency” from his charges ahead of this evening’s Munster semi-final clash with high-flying Limerick.

A look ahead to tonight’s three games...

St Francis Coll, Rochestown 1-6 Clonakilty CC 0-7: Conor Russell’s goal was the key score as last year’s defeated finalists St Francis College, Rochestown advanced to the Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-finals with victory over Clonakilty CC at Newcestown yesterday.

Clonakilty 3-13 Bantry 0-8: Clonakilty secured their second Premier 2 county minor football championship title in three seasons following this emphatic victory recorded over divisional rivals Bantry at Moneyvolihane on Monday evening.

Clonakilty 3-13 Aghada 0-9: An unrivalled Cork County SFC record stretching back 84 years remains intact following this backs-to-the-wall effort from Clonakilty at Brinny yesterday, when they easily overcame Aghada in a relegation play-off.

Na Piarsaigh 4-16 Glen Rovers 2-15: A final quarter surge, inspired by captain Craig Hanafin, saw Na Piarsaigh claim the Cork Premier 1 U16 HC title on Saturday in Páirc Uí Rinn.

Naomh Aban 1-12 Grenagh 1-8: At half-time of this Premier Intermediate Football Championship clash at Coachford on Saturday night there would have been no gambling on the outcome of this tie.

Clonakilty CC 1-13 IS Killorglin 1-5

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

Sarsfields 1-14 Newcestown 2-08

Cork Premier IHC: Newcestown 2-14 Kilbrittain 1-8

Clare 1-23 Tipperary 0-12

Tipperary’s aspirations of securing a Munster semi-final berth have been dealt a massive blow with free-taker Shane Hennessy ruled out with cruciate ligament damage.

St Vincent's 1-9 Ballymun Kickhams 1-8

Hamilton High School, Bandon 2-16 St Flannan’s College 2-11

Newcestown 2-14 Blarney 1-14

Newcestown 4-17 Bandon 0-18

THE prestigious Limerick Lady title was won last weekend by John McLoughlin, Falduff, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, with his home-bred qualifier at Westport Show, by Grosvenor Lad out of Falduff Lady.

DCU’s recent love affair with the O’Byrne Cup grew yesterday thanks to an impressive last quarter against Meath that takes them into their second final in successive seasons.