Midleton 3-17 Ballyhea 0-12

New Waterford hurling manager Michael Ryan had mixed feelings after his side deservedly defeated UCC in the quarter-final of the Waterford Crystal Cup at Carriganore yesterday.

THEIR winning performance was almost dwarfed by the massive achievement in ending a 74 year wait for a place in the Cork SHC final, but it took an outstanding team display from Carrigtwohill, highlighted by inspirational play from Niall McCarthy and superb defending, to thwart Midleton in Páirc Uí Chaoimhy esterday.

THE scoreline at the end flattered Midleton at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday, yet, there was never any real doubt that they would be the team to face Ballymartle in next Sunday’s Cork SHC quarter-final.

MUNSTER’S injury crisis has been well documented, but there were no histrionics from coach Tony McGahan yesterday as he announced a 27-man squad to prepare for Saturday’s Magners League derby with Leinster at Thomond Park (7.30).

FROM the high of a memorable victory over Australia, it was back to the bread and butter of the Magners League for Munster at Musgrave Park last night - but in many respects, this result was just as satisfying.

THE battle of the best in the AIL League Division 1A ended in a bonus point victory for Cork Constitution at Temple Hill on Saturday, but the scoreline did scant justice to injury-hit Young Munster.

MUNSTER don’t expect a definitive report on the calf injury that forced Jerry Flannery out of last week’s Heineken Cup game against Toulon until later in the week.

Munster A 13 Llanelli 15

THE availability of centre Sam Tuitupou hinges on the outcome of today’s ERC disciplinary meeting in Dublin, but Munster have been boosted by the availability of hooker Jerry Flannery for Saturday’s must-win Heineken Cup clash with Toulon at Thomond Park.

MUNSTER confirmed a triple injury blow yesterday with Denis Fogarty, Felix Jones and Ian Dowling facing lay-offs after Saturday’s Magners League victory over the Ospreys.

IT WAS a throwback to the old days when Munster bullied the opposition up front. At Musgrave Park last night, this was a pretty awesome performance from the twice Heineken Cup-winning club, who found strength in areas their critics would not have believed impossible a couple of months ago.

PAUL O’CONNELL was yesterday renamed as Munster captain despite being ruled out of action for the first half of the season.

A POINT on the call of full-time in extra-time by Paudric O’Mahony earned Waterford a draw in this throbbing, absorbing ESB Munster MHC semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday night.

ULTIMATELY, Douglas had team captain John Lane to thank for their winning score in the second of almost seven minutes of time added on, but, in essence they triumphed in this exciting Evening Echo Cork SFC game in Ovens yesterday because of a dominant 10-minute period on each side of half-time.

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.

INTERNATIONAL referee George Clancy was scratched from the Christmas card list of many a Shannon player and supporter after his handling of the final stages of Saturday’s gripping AIB League clash at Coonagh.

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.

MUNSTER A stretched their unbeaten run to three games and provided themselves with a perfect boost ahead of their British and Irish Cup clash against Coventry on November 21.

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

MUNSTER winger Ian Dowling is set to play his first match of the season when the A team takes on Ulster in Belfast tomorrow.

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

THE Dr Harty Cup campaign began in dramatic fashion at New Inn yesterday where an injury-time point by Niall Arthur earned St Flannan’s a draw in a rousing contest.

Diarmuid Ó Mathunas 3-12 Tullylease 2-12

A GOAL by Conor McCarthy in the 16th minute proved decisive in a keenly-contested Evening Echo SFC first round clash at Ballineen last night.

PRESENTATION Brothers College, Cork put their Avonmore Munster Schools Senior Cup title on the line at Clifford Park, Limerick today (3pm) against an inexperienced Castletroy College side.

A FIRST-HALF try by Presentation Brothers College winger Simon Zebo all but decided this exciting Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup final at Musgrave Park yesterday.

SCOTT DEASY’S staggering 69th-minute conversion from the right touch line and into a fierce crosswind saw Presentation College emerge victorious in this Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final at Dooradoyle yesterday.

DLS Waterford 4-17Thurles CBS 3-19(after extra-time)

Munster 8 Connacht 11

LONDON buyer Steve Spiteri paid the top price at yesterday’s Curraheen Park sale when he went to €4,600 to secure Astral Sailor from Innishannon, Co. Cork owner John O’Connor.

St. Vincent’s 3-10 Kilbrittain 1-16

St. Brogan’s, Bandon 2-15 Coachford College 0-10

Erins Own 4-16 Kilbrittain 1-4

RACIAL tauntings of players is not a malaise confined to Cork.