Further experimentation, further opportunity to impress.

The 2018 hurling season began with goose-flesh, and bobble hats in chilly Mallow, a seasoned Limerick side enjoying a good win over an experimental Cork fifteen.

The World Youth Coarse Fishing Championships are to be held in Cork this year and will prove a major boost to the local economy as 5,000-plus bed nights are being booked for teams and supporters attending the event.

AIB All-Ireland Club JHC final

Since 2009, the Munster Club JHC has been the preserve of Cork and Waterford sides and that duopoly will remain in force this year as Mayfield and Ballyduff Lower clash in tomorrow’s final in Mallow (1.30pm).

Mayfield’s Munster sojourn, according to their coach Seamus Lawton, is a once in a lifetime opportunity that the Cork city club must grab with both hands.

WHAT do you think you ought to read in a ‘very English’ book about post-war Europe, Spies and the Cold War? 

Imokilly 3-20 UCC 1-11: Séamus Harnedy starred as Imokilly put together a fine all-round performance to better UCC at Riverstown in the opening round of the Cork SHC last night.

There was victory and Division 1A status for Cork in this relegation play-off in Pearse Stadium Galway.

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.

Roz Crowley meets Pierre Lawton, a globally acclaimed wine merchant, whose long line of Cork ancestors includes a mayor

Seamus Harnedy returns to Cork’s starting line-up for their All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Wexford at Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday night.

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.

Charleville 3-14 Argideen Rangers 2-10: After a relatively poor first half performance, hot favourites Charleville finally pulled away to secure a comfortable Cork IHC victory over gutsy Argideen Rangers at Coachford last night.

CORK 4-18 KILKENNY  3-21: Brian Cody does not believe Kilkenny’s championship efforts will be hindered by the 11-week layoff leading into their Leinster opener.

 

Fitzgibbon Cup Group B - UCC 1-14 UL 1-14: This certainly didn’t feature in the script, Jason Forde’s injury-time point bringing the curtain down on UCC’s Fitzgibbon Cup involvement. 

UI Galway 0-21 UCC 0-19: An impressive NUI Galway side shocked UCC in Dangan to keep their Fitzgibbon Cup hopes alive.

UCC 3-19 GMIT 0-8: The sight of Conor Lehane, Alan Cadogan and Shane O’Donnell being clapped off the field midway through the second-half painted a most accurate picture of this stroll in the park for UCC.

Cork 2-21 Clare 0-18: Waterford Crystal SHC semi-final: The Cork management vowed at the outset of 2015 to cast the net far and wide.

You can’t get to Castlemartyr without passing Midleton, or going through Killeagh. Carrigtwohill is another signpost you notice.

A two-year-long project to develop a multi-purpose amenity area is expected to reap major rewards in the years ahead from angling tourism.

Castlemartyr2-14 Cloughduv 0-15

Tipperary 3-25 Cork 4-19

Cork 2-24 Wexford 1-20

UCC 5-25 St Patrick’s/Mater Dei 1-6

FITZGIBBON CUP:

UCC 0-14 WIT 0-9

Then We Take Berlin

A world coarse fishing championship is to be held in Inniscarra next summer.

A fishing club says it will not restock a Co Cork reservoir until bylaws are introduced to prevent Eastern European anglers, living locally, from killing their fish.

Munster IHC final:

Number 8 Michael Graham was the hero for Ballynahinch at College Park as his injury-time try helped Ballynahinch to a dramatic 28-21 victory over Dublin University.

Champions UCC are within an hour of retaining their Fitzgibbon Cup title after a comprehensive defeat of UCD in sun-splashed Carnmore yesterday, a powerful second half enough to defeat Nicky English’s charges.

Nemo Rangers re-ignited their Cork SFC hopes, overcoming Na Piarsaigh at Páirc Uí Rinn last night, but it was not as straightforward as might have been anticipated.

Dungannon 36 Galwegians 10

Mixed emotions at Kilballyowen Park on Saturday. Dungannon took a giant step towards the summit of Division 1B while their Bruff hosts tumbled into the relegation zone and are left battling for survival.

By stunning Ballymena with a late winning try, Belfast Harlequins inched ever closer to being crowned Division 1B champions and winning promotion to Division 1A.