Almost 13,000 blood donations are needed before Christmas to boost blood-bank supplies which have dropped to half the ideal level.

The Garda Traffic Corps in Cork City is out for blood, literally.

THERE’S a pre-Christmas cracker in the offing for hurling followers at Páirc Ui Rinn tomorrow (3.30pm) when Erin’s Own and Douglas battle it our for the right to be crowned Evening Echo Cork Co U-21 champions.