A CLOSE call for Limerick in Kilmallock yesterday evening in this Munster MHC quarter-final, a very close call, because two late reaction rocket-shots from Kerry corner-forward Shane Dunne went just a couple of inches wide.

COACH Steve Ford made no excuses following Dolphin’s AIB League defeat to Cork Constitution at Temple Hill last week. A week on, a rematch at the same venue (2.30pm), and with a place in the league final at stake, neither is he about to start.

CORK CONSTITUTION had to peak twice before shaking off the determined challenge from old rivals Shannon at Temple Hill on Saturday to enhance their position at the head of the AIB League table.

THE club match of the day will be at Temple Hill this afternoon (2.30) when Shannon take on arch rivals Constitution in a top-of-the-table AIB League clash.

IT’S a pity those who bemoan the demise of the club game weren’t in Dubarry Park on Saturday afternoon.

THE gathering in Portlaoise at the weekend of elite hurlers and footballers who adorned the Leinster championships over the past quarter of a century was noteworthy for the imbalance in the number of All-Ireland medal-winners between the two teams.

SHANNON’S season took a further dip at Temple Hill on Saturday when old rivals Cork Constitution had an easier passage than expected to the AIB Cup quarter-finals.

MOST of the drama was crammed into the final few minutes of this AIB League 1A derby at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

THREE points in the second period of extra time by Conor Lehane gave Midleton a thrilling victory over neighbours Carrigtwohill in a gripping Evening Echo SHC relegation semi-final replay at Castlemartyr last night.

IF Clontarf win a first AIB League title this season, they cannot be accused of taking the easy route.

CORK CONSTITUTION and Old Crescent demonstrated at Clifford Park yesterday that the ODM Munster Senior Cup is still very much alive.

THESE two great rivals have a habit of producing the unexpected.

CORK CONSTITUTION coach Brian Walsh won’t find it difficult to motivate his troops before today’s ODM Munster Senior Cup semi-final with old rivals Garryowen at Musgrave Park (2.30pm).

A COUPLE of converted tries in the dying minutes enabled Cork Constitution to come from 19-11 behind with time running out to overtake UL Bohs in an exciting AIB League clash at Annacotty yesterday.

IRELAND held off a tremendous late Scottish rally at Donnybrook to win a hugely enjoyable AIB Club international last night.

UCD coach Killian Keane conceded AIB League defeat to Constitution long before the finish of this tie at Temple Hill on Saturday, and then boldly predicted that the Cork side would win the title.

SHANNON’S renowned spirit has rarely been seen to greater effect than at Clifford Park yesterday when they overcame a strong Cork Constitution side and the handicap of playing the last 20 minutes with 14 men to advance to the ODM Munster Senior Cup final.

CORK CONSTITUTION’S director of rugby, Paul Derham, makes no apologies for his club’s insistence in successfully seeking a postponement of the ODM Munster Cup semi-final against Shannon.

Cork Constitution 12 Garryowen 12

Midleton 1-11 Killeagh 0-12

BY their own admission, Cork Constitution got out of jail and sneaked through to the AIB League final against old rivals Garryowen at Musgrave Park next Saturday.

THERE’S no place for last year’s captain, Pat Mulcahy, after the Cork hurling selectors yesterday trimmed the panel to 30 players.

Cork 0-16, Waterford 2-9

Cork 2-10 CIT 1-11

THERE were mixed emotions for former Young Munster stalwart Paul O’Connell in Clifford Park yesterday as his home club overcame neighbours Old Crescent in this Limerick AIL Division Two derby.

HARDLY the scoreline you would expect from two of the AIL’s Division One high-flyers, but there were extenuating circumstances in this top-four clash on Saturday afternoon last on the back pitch at Thomond Park.

MIDLETON’S rise to prominence continued at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night as they earned a place in the last eight of the Evening Echo Cork County SHC and a tilt with neighbours Cloyne with a 0-12 to 0-10 victory over former champions Blackrock.

Midleton 0-12 Blackrock 0-10

THERE was never any doubting the outcome of this AIB Kerry SFC opener in Currow yesterday once St Kieran’s recovered from a shaky period at the start of the second half and put up the scores which eased them into a controlling position.

Kinsale 2-12 Cill na Martra 1-9

Cork Constitution 37 St. Mary’s College 12

BRIAN MURPHY and Tom Kenny are to return to the Cork team for Sunday’s Allianz NHL clash with Waterford at Pairc Uí Rinn.

WEXFORD veteran Adrian Fenlon looks set to retire from inter-county hurling. Manager Seamus Murphy confirmed yesterday that while the midfielder had not made contact, he believes that the Enniscorthy Rapparees man has called time on his Model career.

THE curtain came down on this year’s Allianz Sciath na Scol football competition at Páirc Uí Rinn yesterday where five finals were decided amid tremendous scenes of jubilation by the victors.

Galway 4-13 Kerry 2-10