He returned ‘home’ expecting to attend a retirement party for his brother Liam, but former Cork dual star supreme Brian Murphy was the centre of attention at the Nemo Rangers complex on Saturday night where he was honoured for his remarkable sporting achievements.

HENRY SHEFFLIN broke new ground yesterday – and without swinging a hurley – by becoming the first player in the history of the All Stars to receive an award for a ninth year in a row.

LECTURING staff at the Department of Creative and Performing Arts in Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) are collectively displaying their works in a thought-provoking exhibition about to open at Waterford Regional Hospital.

WHILE at the National Archives previewing the State papers, which were officially released yesterday, I happened to be sitting beside Prof Ronan Fanning when I came across a letter written to him by the Irish ambassador to the US in 1977.

The fifth edition of the annual Purple and Gold Star matches, which see the cream of Wexford GAA talent on show, will take place at Wexford Park tomorrow (first throw-in 1pm).

“The GAA President’s Awards are about rewarding the volunteer. It’s about recognising the voluntary efforts of GAA members who seek nothing in return, work that has been going on for over one hundred years.” - GAA president Sean Kelly.

John Conran has resigned as manager of the Wexford senior hurling team.

The Wexford county board will meet next Tuesday night to discuss the future of John Conran as the Model County's hurling manager.

LIMERICK county board chairman Pat Fitzgerald will, surprisingly, not be seeking re-election at the December convention.

SPRING was frosty for the Wexford hurlers this year. A poor run of performances in the national league was accompanied by unrest among the performers.

DAMIEN FITZHENRY was in Dublin earlier in the week to collect an award for his outstanding display against Offaly in the Guinness Leinster hurling final.

THE job complete, John Conran stood in the corridor beneath the Hogan Stand and almost dared anyone to write off this or any other Wexford team again.

Wexford 2-12 Offaly 1-11

INEVITABLY, the favourites’ tag remains with Wexford for tomorrow’s Guinness Leinster hurling final in Croke Park after their dramatic victory over Kilkenny.

TODAY marks the 60th anniversary of the famous American note demanding the recall of Axis representatives from Dublin on the grounds that they supposedly posed a threat to the forthcoming Allied invasion of Europe.

HE has proved himself one of the top hurling referees of modern times, with four All-Ireland senior appointments to his credit.

YOU couldn’t describe it as anything other than a sensation, the day 14 years ago that Antrim hurlers sent Offaly crashing out of the championship in the All-Ireland semi-final.

FOR neighbouring counties, it’s noteworthy that Waterford and Wexford have no real tradition of meetings in major hurling games, either at under age or adult level.

WELL-KNOWN intercounty referee Dickie Murphy has no intention of hanging up his whistle now that he has been appointed a selector with the Wexford senior hurling team.

Rathnure’s John Conran was appointed Wexford hurling manager last night.