FERMANAGH’S joint management pairing of Rory O’Donnell and Brian Johnston got an ideal start to their league campaign yesterday, scoring a facile 8-23 to 1-8 victory over injury-ravaged Cavan at Ballyconnell.

THERE’S a familiar ring to Tipperary boss Liam Sheedy’s youth policy for tomorrow’s Munster SHC clash with Cork.

BALLINHASSIG issued a powerful statement of intent at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday when sweeping Midleton aside in the Evening Echo Cork SHC second round.

NO PROBLEM for three-in-a-row chasing Cork senior hurling champions Erin’s Own at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday as they romped to a 1-16 to 0-7 opening-round victory over former kingpins Blackrock, who now face a dangerous backdoor test against Bishopstown to stay in the championship.

Midleton 1-11 Killeagh 0-12

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

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 are four newcomers on the Cork senior hurling squad for the Munster championship opener with Clare on May 28.

SO close they can almost touch it. Midleton face St Flannan’s at Ennis tomorrow in the Harty Cup final and want to end 11 years of waiting.

Cork hurlers have a major injury crisis in advance of next Sunday’s league encounter with Down at Páirc Uí Rinn.

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.

St Finbarr’s 3-12 Midleton 0-12

A number of changes have been made to the Cork senior hurling squad for the forthcoming National League, the Evening Echo reports.

Cork midfielder Mickey O’Connell has opted out of the senior hurling panel for the coming season.

Mickey O’Connell, Cian O’Connor or Pat Mulcahy for John Gardiner?

Tipperary 1-16 Cork 2-19

JOHN GARDINER’S chances of being fit for the Munster hurling final in three weeks time are looking a lot brighter than at the weekend.

FULL-FORWARD John Crowley is struggling to be fit for Sunday’s Munster football semi-final showdown with Cork in Killarney.

Division One chasers Clare today got the win that keeps them in line for a crack at the premier Allianz NHL title.

Cork 2-7 Tipperary 0-13

THE Cork senior hurling selectors have given the thumbs up to the team that started last weekend’s epic drawn game for Saturday’s Guinness All-Ireland semi-final replay with Wexford at Croke Park.

KERRY midfielder Darragh O Sé is facing up to eight weeks on the sideline after chipping a bone in his ankle in a trial game in Killarney.

CALLING on all their experience and brilliantly marshalled by outstanding centre-back Pat Mulcahy, 14-man Newtownshandrum edged out Midleton, 1-10 to 0-12 in Castletownroche on Saturday in an opening round permanent tsb Cork County SHC contest.

FORMER Allstar full back Diarmuid O’Sullivan returns to the Cork team for next Sunday’s Allianz National Hurling clash with Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis, but in the unfamiliar position of right half back.

OUTSTANDING full-back Philip Maher, who missed last weekend’s victory over Limerick because of ‘flu, returns to the Tipperary team for Sunday’s clash with Wexford in the Allianz NHL at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Cork 2-14