Éire Óg had to overturn a seven-point second-half deficit in Mourneabbey on Saturday to qualify for the Cork Premier IFC quarter-final.

Cork manager Ronan McCarthy, when asked about his players’ unfamiliarity with Croke Park and whether he had any concerns over such, provided a reply straight out of left field, pulling up a Joe Brolly quote from all of 26 years ago.

This was Westmeath’s first victory in the qualifiers since 2012 and they were impressive in victory with Jack Cooney’s side leading from start to finish.

Cork Premier IFC: Cill na Martra 1-9 Éire Óg 0-8

Dr Crokes midfield Johnny Buckley was last night cleared to play in the All-Ireland club SFC final after successfully contesting his one-match suspension.

Where in the opening round Cork succeeded in securing a point despite being a man down for the closing 27 minutes of action, yesterday, despite being a man up for the same period of time, they were unable to manage anything at all.

You probably know the Páirc Uí Chaoimh playing surface yesterday was the subject of much negative comment, to put it mildly.

The Cork team to play Clare in the McGrath Cup Final on Saturday at 2pm, has been announced.

Westmeath forward Ger Egan feels “sorry for the referees” attempting to enforce the experimental rules.

Louth ended the year on a high with victory over Wicklow, while Westmeath and Offaly drew (0-11 apiece) in Saturday’s Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup action.

Since Conor Counihan departed as Cork manager almost five years ago, three different managers have presided over 54 games and used 76 players — and not once put the same team out in successive games. Eoghan Cormican crunches the numbers.

The Cork football team to face Tipperary in Saturday’s Munster SFC semi-final contains two championship debutants.

The Cork football team to face Tipperary in Saturday’s Munster SFC semi-final contains two championship debutants.

Despite an “up and down” league campaign, the Cork footballers are heading in the right direction, according to midfielder Ian Maguire.

Debutant Ronan O’Toole is one of three changes on the Cork football side for Sunday’s final Allianz FL Division 2 clash with Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park (3pm).

NUI Galway 2-12 Dublin IT 0-15

NUI Galway manager Maurice Sheridan is hopeful that his side can now go all the way and claim their 23rd Sigerson Cup crown after qualifying for the final after a tough contest at the St Loman’s club in Mullingar.

Remarkable. It’s the only word worth using to describe yesterday’s Leinster Club final. A remarkable way to win a game and equally a remarkable way to lose it. And quite a remarkable end to the GAA season, writes John Divilly.

Moorefield (Kildare) 1-14 St Loman’s (Westmeath) 2-10: One man’s comeback is another’s collapse as this dramatic Leinster Club SFC final in Portlaoise so perfectly illustrated.

UCC 0-10 IT Carlow 1-6 (AET): A point from play by Cork senior county player Brian O’Driscoll in the sixth minute of extra-time proved the winning score as UCC progressed to the Sigerson Cup semi-final with victory over IT Carlow in an undistinguished game at the IT Carlow grounds last night.

Sigerson Cup

A look ahead to all the weekend’s action around Cork...

Cork midfielder Ronan O’Toole could be fit for Saturday’s EirGrid All-Ireland U21 final with Mayo at Cusack Park (6pm).

Cork 2-15 Monaghan 1-16: In an otherwise forgettable spring for Cork football, the county’s U21’s have been a breath of fresh air.

Cork’s greater balance in front of goal propelled them past Monaghan and into a first All-Ireland U21 final since 2013.

Seán Hayes has form in taking down Monaghan teams at this juncture of the All-Ireland U21 championship. What good it’ll do him this afternoon remains to be seen.

Clare have been hit by a double body blow ahead of Sunday’s Division 1 semi-final against Kilkenny as Shane O’Donnell and David McInerney have been ruled out.

Cork U21 football manager Sean Hayes has enjoyed more relaxing weekends than the one just gone.

Carrigaline 2-12 Éire Óg 0-16: A goal by former inter-county star Nicholas Murphy a minute into injury-time gave Carrigaline the unlikeliest of victories over Éire Óg in this PIFC semi-final replay at Brinny on Saturday.

Éire Óg 0-14 Rockchapel 0-06

Éire Óg 0-9 Fermoy 1-3

Simcox Cup final

Éire Óg 0-16 Dripsey 1-10