Youth and experience proved to be a winning combination as they gradually pulled away to see off their neighbours Kerry

Kieran Kingston has named his first team since his return as Cork manager for the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League meeting with Kerry tonight.

Last year’s beaten Cork county SFC finalists Duhallow remain on course to go one step further than 2018 after they ground out victory over Newcestown at Páirc Uí Rinn yesterday.

Newcestown have qualified for a first Cork SFC semi-final after battling past Ilen Rovers in difficult conditions at Rosscarbery.

What does the number on your back even mean any more in hurling? Michael Moynihan rooted through the bag of jerseys and asked how the job spec for each position has changed

Cork have shaken things up for their first ever senior hurling championship fixture against Westmeath, with five changes from the side that lost to Clare in their final round-robin game in Munster.

Stealth mode suited Limerick last year but don’t try convincing Alan Cadogan just yet that taking the alternative route to an All-Ireland title is to Cork’s advantage.

On Saturday, the Cork supporters club, Cairde Chorcaí, had a Q&A for premium patrons, mostly Cork supporters, prior to the senior game.

I’m sure there are some people out there giving me a share of the credit for Cork’s win yesterday. I’ve no doubt that my comments in my column here on Saturday got Cork riled up big time.

Diarmuid O’Sullivan believes the work-rate of the Cork attack has to improve significantly if they are to bounce back from Sunday’s defeat to Tipperary.

Explain Cork-Tipperary in thirty words or less? Or even 1,200 words or less?

An old-fashioned Cork senior championship clash in Clonakilty yesterday, with Bandon holding out for a terrific win over Newcestown after a closely-fought battle.

We are a week into Munster Championship Lent. The 40 days and 40 nights before the start of the Munster SHC on May 12 commenced last Tuesday.

Ger Millerick has been named in a strong Cork hurling team to face Kilkenny in Wednesday night's "Kieran O'Connor Benefit Game" in Páirc Uí Rinn.

Cork will play in Group A of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 for 2020 after coming from behind to take a two-point win over Kilkenny in Nowlan Park this afternoon.

For those spilling out of Páirc Uí Rinn as the rain closed in on Saturday evening, one question dominated conversations.

Aaron Gillane was the hero as Mary Immaculate College booked their place in this year’s Fitzgibbon Cup final when they held off the NUIG challenge at Cusack Park in Ennis..

Mary I will meet NUIG Galway for a place in the Fitzgibbon Cup decider after this comfortable quarter-final victory over CIT.

Referee James Owens has revealed the abuse his family were subjected to after last year’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Waterford and Cork.

The focus yesterday on Anthony Nash’s puckouts was more fixed than is normally the case.

Dreams do come true. 19 years ago, Seamus Harnedy thought he was in dreamland lining up for a picture with the Munster Hurling championship trophy beside his local Killeagh heroes, Mark Landers and Joe Deane.

The Munster crown weighed heavy on Cork’s head last year but it shouldn’t be a burden this time around.

Olive Esler, who handles the social media promotion for The Sunday Game was manic busy throughout yesterday afternoon.

There was a delay in Cork’s return to proceedings after half-time yesterday. They had gone in four points behind, but it could have been more. Cork used the time well at the break and were a different outfit in the second period.

Ciaran Fitzgerald was captain of the Ireland rugby team back in 1985 when they were going for the Triple Crown. Ireland and England were deadlocked at 10 points apiece and a draw would have ended Ireland’s ambitions. Fitzgerald famously asked his teammates “where’s your ‘effing’ pride” before an important lineout. 

Cork manager John Meyler wasn’t surprised by the Tipp response yesterday — his side might have been nine points to the good at half-time but he knew Tipperary would respond in the second half.

ON Wednesday, Seánie McMahon, Liam Doyle and I sat down with John Fogarty, of this parish, in Dromoland Castle. We rolled back the good times, regaled ourselves with old stories and rekindled those magical flames which burned in our hearts throughout our Clare careers (the details of the conversation appear elsewhere on the Irish Examiner website today).

Newcestown 1-13 St. Finbarr’s 0-14: It was 14 scores each yesterday in Ballygarvan, but in the end, it was Trevor Horgan’s first-half goal for Newcestown that was the difference in the first round of the Cork SHC.

The auditions continue.

Clare 0-23 Cork 0-19: First of all, disregard the scoreline. This was anything but a four-point contest.

Cork hurling manager John Meyler has been very impressed with Clare, who have picked up two wins in their first two NHL 1A outings.

DCU midfielder Darren Mullen said that knocking out the champions and advancing to the semi-finals of the Fitzgibbon Cup is a huge boost to hurling in the university.

The game seemed destined for extra-time until the closing stages.

John Meyler would prefer if Cork’s Allianz Division 1A opener against Kilkenny was played on Sunday afternoon and not on Saturday night.

Clare 4-17 Cork 0-18: The Munster Council have brought forward the Munster SHL final between Clare and Limerick by one week to avoid the counties meeting on successive weekends.

Further experimentation, further opportunity to impress.

Kieran Shannon reflects on the ever growing importance of the Relative Age Effect in  underage sport.

Ken McGrath begins to feel his age as he discusses the All-Ireland final between Waterford and Galway.