Neighbouring clubs Fr O'Neill's and Russell Rovers arrive to play All-Ireland finals in Croke Park on Saturday at the end of an idyllic period for this East Cork region. There is none of the rancour between these clubs so often associated with proximity. PM O’Sullivan explores why so many houses have been flying two flags.

THE littler All-Ireland, you could call it. The Cork county junior hurling title is widely regarded as one of the toughest GAA championships to win, and they know all about that around Ladysbridge and Ballymacoda in east Cork.