The warmest round of applause on Leeside ever for a Kilkenny team? Considering the context, the sincerity of the welcome was no surprise.

Wexford outscored Kilkenny 1-11 to 0-2 in the second half to seal their Division 1 quarter-final spot.

A stunning second-half comeback by Kilkenny this evening saw them exact revenge on Wexford for last year’s Leinster semi-final defeat.

A Maurice Shanahan goal in the second half of additional time set Waterford on their way to a historic and captivating championship victory over Kilkenny in Thurles.

Allianz HL Division 1A

Kilkenny had to rely on a Walter Walsh goal to help them avoid a first championship defeat to Waterford since the 1959 All-Ireland final.

Kilkenny 0-23 Dublin 1-14: Kilkenny were too smooth for Dublin yesterday at home, running out victors by six points in a curious Division 1A contest.

A substitute was the hero for the winning side.

Tipperary 2-22, Kilkenny 1-13:

Galway 0-20, Kilkenny 0-18: Sometimes a pedestrian game produces an exciting finish, but sometimes it produces a conclusion to suit the preamble.

A crisp game on a chilly St Valentine’s evening at Pairc Ui Rinn kindled towards the end, with Cork scrambling two goals to put visitors Kilkenny under pressure.

OUT in San Francisco Airport, when the All-Star travelling party landed last week, a passer-by clocked the tracksuits and asked Tipperary hurler Lar Corbett who was playing.

AFTER an enforced injury lay-off of almost nine months, King Henry is back — and triumphant too.

HENRY SHEFFLIN and John Tennyson, the two wonder boys in the Kilkenny squad, have been named in the team to face Tipperary in the All-Ireland SHC final in Croke Park tomorrow.

THOUGH there was little more than pride at stake, this clash of rivals produced an interesting spectacle at Nowlan Park yesterday.

ONLY the league?

A SUCCESSFUL start to the their NHL title defence by Kilkenny in Nowlan Park yesterday, but – as you’d expect for this time of year – it wasn’t by any means a vintage performance from the champions.

“SO that’s the end of Kilkenny?”

LIMERICK manager Justin McCarthy introduces James Ryan and Paul Browne for his side’s NHL clash against Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh tomorrow.

FOLLOWING the fireworks in Croke Park on Saturday night, an occasion chosen by the GAA to mark the opening of its 125th year celebrations, Kilkenny and Galway served notice yesterday that hurling too is ready to play its part in what could yet be a really special year for the GAA.

THE Cork team for Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Clare shows one change from the side that defeated Galway last Saturday night.

Kilkenny 2-24 Offaly 0-12

LEINSTER coach Michael Cheika expressed relief after Saturday’s Magners League derby victory and acknowledged his side must improve drastically if they are to overcome Wasps in the Heineken Cup next weekend.

THE strength in depth of Irish rugby will be put to the test at Thomond Park tonight (7.30) when Michael Bradley’s Ireland A squad go into action against Australia A.

CONNACHT’S hopes of qualifying as pool leader in their European Challenge Cup campaign rest on the result of tomorrow afternoon’s clash with former Heineken Cup winners Bath (2.30pm).

LEINSTER have finalised their squad to face Munster in tomorrow night’s Magners League clash at Lansdowne Road (Setanta Sports, 7.30pm).

IRELAND A coach Michael Bradley has made six changes to the Ireland A team to take on England Saxons in the Churchill Cup Plate final tomorrow at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada.

IT’S a big occasion for Leinster’s player of the season, Felipe Contepomi, in tonight’s Celtic League clash with Llanelli Scarlets at Lansdowne Road (7.10pm).

IRISH coach Eddie O’Sullivan has opted for youthful promise in the Ireland A team to meet England in Gloucester on Friday night (7.45pm).

Leinster 16 Connnacht 13

WITH Limoges a prohibitive 400km south of Paris, there won’t be too many Irish fans at tonight’s ‘A’ international between France and Ireland (6.30pm).

PAUL O’CONNELL makes his long awaited return when he leads Munster against Connacht in the Celtic League at Thomond Park this evening, kick-off 7.35pm.

Douglas 2-7 Blackrock 1-7

Connacht 19 Munster 44

MUNSTER coach Declan Kidney has delayed team selection for the Celtic League clash with champions Neath/Swansea Ospreys.

St Flannans2-15 St Kierans2-12

Connacht 13 Ospreys 22