Cork hurling manager Kieran Kingston has paid a glowing tribute to the players released from the Rebels’ senior hurling panel this week, describing them as giving “massive commitment” to county hurling side over recent years.

The Roscommon footballers have been forced to concede home advantage for Sunday’s league fixture against Down owing to an unplayable pitch at Hyde Park and a Croke Park ruling the game could not be staged at Kiltoom.

There are five changes in personnel, as well as a number of positional alterations, to the Cork side that will face Waterford in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A at Páirc Uí Rinn tomorrow night (throw-in 7pm).

Recalls are the story of Kieran Kingston’s first Cork League panel which sees Cian McCarthy, Conor O’Sullivan and William Egan returning to the group.

Munster SHL, Cork 0-18, Limerick 3-17.

Rarely does a day pass in this country without a wonderfully evocative image appearing in the national papers from some sporting event or other and yesterday’s shot in these pages of Patrick Cronin striking the sliotar amidst the floodlights and flurries of snow during Cork and Waterford’s pre-season meeting in Mallow certainly ticked that particularly box.

Bishopstown 1-20 Killeagh 1-11: Bishopstown retained their Cork senior hurling status in style at Riverstown on Saturday. One wondered how they were ever in this relegation decider such was their assertive and forceful play.

CAN there be a better topic to get people talking than the weather? 

St Finbarr’s 1-17 Bishopstown 0-10: Accuracy and class helped St Finbarr’s to a comprehensive win over Bishopstown in yesterday’s Cork SHC Round 3 clash at Pairc Ui Rinn.

NOWADAYS with professional experts giving weather forecasts based on science and studies of the atmosphere, it is common to mock traditional weather lore, farmers and other rural folk who relied on signs from plants and animals to predict the capricious elements.

Does the hunt for a cracking championship game in hurling go on?

Cork 0-20 Clare 0-17

There’s great excitement. You’ve got the call. You’re appearing on "Reality Bainisteoir", a programme running in conjunction with the championship.

Seamus Harnedy returns to Cork’s starting line-up for their All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Wexford at Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday night.

I have given the Cork team and management the benefit of the doubt over the past three years, a point I was reminded of by an old Waterford friend departing Semple Stadium on Sunday evening.

Eight first-half wides and a similar number of aimless deliveries into attack contributed largely to Cork’s Munster championship exit, according to Jimmy Barry-Murphy.

While the rigours of the Dublin senior hurling manager’s job have yet to fully kick in for Ger Cunningham, he remains busy in his other sideline role, that of guiding the hurlers of UCC.

The level of public criticism of the Cork senior footballers was condemned by outgoing chairman Bob Ryan in his final address to convention.

Cork SFC semi-final

Glen Rovers 2-16 Bishopstown 1-08

I was chatting to Tom Moloughney during the week, a Tipperary hurling great of the 1960s.

Cork senior hurling captain Patrick Cronin has been passed fit to start in Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final showdown against Tipperary.

Welcome to your Tuesday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

Cork senior hurling captain Patrick Cronin looks a "very doubtful" starter for Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final with Tipperary.

Cork hurling manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy says it is "unlikely" Patrick Cronin will feature in Sunday week’s All-Ireland semi-final showdown against Tipperary.

The availability of Cork captain Patrick Cronin for next month’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final will "go right down to the wire," selector Johnny Crowley has revealed.

Cork GAA have comfirmed that forward Patrick Cronin sustained a fractured fibula in Sunday’s game, however they are hopeful of a quick recovery.

TWO headline stories from Semple Stadium on Sunday and the one that concerns Cork is, mercifully, free at last from clauses and caveats.

Before last Sunday’s Munster SHC replay between Cork and Waterford, both teams were prevented from going out onto the Semple Stadium field.

The situation entering the final week of Division 1B is very straightforward with quarter final spots already decided leaving just the promotion battle to be settled.

ALLIANZ HL DIV 1B:

Cork and Tipperary have named their teams ahead of Saturday's Allianz National League openers.

Bishopstown 3-17 Carrigtwohill 4-12 (aet)

The All star nominee list has been unveiled and it is no surprise that Davy Fitzgerald's side have been rewarded for their astonishing 2013 performance.

Upwards of 30,000 people descended on Ennis tonight for the homecoming of the Clare Senior and Under 21 All-Ireland-winning teams.

A final to suit a season? You could say that.

I SEE Brian O’Driscoll has been in the news again recently. In case you missed it, O’Driscoll has been speaking about his disappointment with being dropped for the third and final Lions game this summer against Australia, and he said he was a touch resentful towards coach Warren Gatland for not giving him a game in that series-decider.

One-time Derby hope Indian Chief could only finish last of three in the Killarney Grand Race at the County Kerry track.

Bishopstown 4-11 CIT 1-09