A crucial second-half goal by midfielder Brian Hurley cemented Blarney’s place in the quarter-final of the Premier IHC at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night where the Mid Cork club were deserving winners over Mallow in a disappointing fourth round tie.

Connacht, who bridged a 28 year gap when capturing the title at Rosses Point last year, begin their defence of the Interprovincial Championship this morning with a difficult match against Munster at Royal Co Down.

It was a polished Diamond — one Harry Diamond from the Belvoir Park club in Belfast — who shone brightest at scenic Rosses Point to take the title in the final of the Radisson Blu West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship yesterday.

Stephen Healy (Claremorris) will represent the home province on the final day of the Radisson Blu-sponsored West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Rosses Point today after a clear-cut 4 and 3 triumph over Nicholas Grant (Knock) in their quarter-final yesterday.

Kerry’s affinity with the All-Ireland Club IFC – not to mention Croke Park – continued yesterday with Milltown-Castlemaine claiming the county’s third title in the tournament’s eight-year history.

NINE points from Davitts captain Michael Conroy propelled the Mayo champions into the All-Ireland Club intermediate football final as they ran out easy winners over Éire Óg, Greystones in Tullamore yesterday.

NEWCESTOWN will continue to fulfil a dual mandate in the Cork county championships after success in a gripping Premier IHC quarter-final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday afternoon.

THIS was a contest to forget at Donoughmore on Saturday, Blarney and Mallow failing to ignite.

IT TOOK a while, but Blarney eventually wore down Valley Rovers in their Premier IHC clash at Ballygarvan on Saturday evening.

DEFENDING champion Alan Dunbar hopes his batteries will be recharged when he tees it up at Royal Dublin this morning and takes on six of his fellow Walker Cup squad members in the Irish Amateur Open.

AFTER finishing runner-up in four previous championships, Rory Leonard finally won the big one when he lifted the Radisson-Blu West of Ireland trophy at Rosses Point yesterday.

THIS will be a big weekend on and off the course for several of our leading golfers.

Portstewart's Paul Cutler and Portmarnock’s James Fox fired three-under-par 69s to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at fast-running Baltray.

Scotland's Gavin Dear has one-stroke lead entering Sunday's final 36 holes of the Irish Amateur Open at a windy Royal Dublin.

Gale force winds sent scores soaring in the opening round of the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

IT was a routine journey to success for Na Piarsaigh in yesterday’s Evening Echo Cork SHC first round tie at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Árd Scoil Rís 0-10 St Flannan’s 0-9

St Flannan’s (Ennis) 0-15 Árd Scoil Rís (Limerick) 2-9

LEINSTER include the three outstanding players of the amateur season so far — Shane Lowry, Niall Kearney and Paul O’Hanlon — in their side for the Interprovincial Championship getting under way at Athlone tomorrow.

Defending champion Darren Crowe crashed out of the weather-delayed South of Ireland championship at Lahinch.

Forrest Little's Eoin Arthurs took advantage of perfect early morning conditions to scorch to a six-under par 66 and a two stroke lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at County Louth.

Newlands’ Andrew Hogan defied 40 mph gusts to card a four-under par 67 and grab the silver medal for the leading qualifier in the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

England’s Jonathan Hurst has set his sights on the West of Ireland Amateur Open title after a level-par 71 gave him the first round lead at wind-blown Rosses Point today.

Former goalkeeper Davey Fitzgerald will miss Clare's All Ireland Hurling Championship quarter-final clash with Limerick tomorrow after cruising into the second round of the South of Ireland Amateur Open at Lahinch.

Ulster secured an impressive victory against Connacht in the Youths Interprovincial Matches at Donegal Golf Club today.

Banbridge's Richard Kilpatrick fired a sensational six-under par 66 to scorch into an impressive six-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Louth.

Limerick's Pat Murray fired a three under par 69 to share the first round lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at Baltray.

Rory McIlroy was frustrated with his finish as Banbridge’s Richard Kilpatrick grabbed a share of the halfway lead in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

Rory McIlroy lost his way on the back nine as Czech champion Marek Novy grabbed the first round lead in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

Rory McIlroy shrugged off some putting problems to cruise into the last 16 of the Radisson-SAS West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy struggled to a four-over par 75 as Co Louth's Simon Ward led the qualifiers in the Radisson-SAS West of Ireland Amateur Open.

Today's scores from the Nissan Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship.

Rory McIlroy dashed Simon Ward's dream of a second win in a week with an exciting sudden-death victory in the Owens Group Mullingar Scratch Cup.

ST. FINBARR’S edged out Killeagh, 1-17 to 2-13, in a nailbiting Evening Echo Cork County SHC first round tie at Midleton on Saturday.

John Maughan takes his Mayo charges to Croke Park today for an All-Ireland football final for the second time in six days - the question is, can he lift them after last week?

Mayo manager John Maughan has made three changes to his U21 side for their Erin All-Ireland final clash against Ulster champions Armagh tomorrow at Breffni Park (4.00pm).

Mayo 1-13 Kildare 1-7

Mayo 1-8 Kildare 1-3

Kildare go into today's All-Ireland U21 football semi-final against Connacht champions Mayo at Pearse Stadium, having not played competitively for 18 weeks.

Mayo boss John Maughan has made one change from his Connacht final-winning line-up for Sunday's All-Ireland U21 semi-final against Kildare at Pearse Stadium.

GRITTY Erins Own held on to edge out UCC 1-8 to 0-9 in a hard-fought permanent tsb Cork County SHC contest at Pairc Ui Rinn last night with Sean Daly’s goal in the 22nd minute the decisive score.