Inspired by county star Niall McCarthy, 2011 Cork SHC champions Carrigtwohill got the defence of their title off to a good start in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening but they were tested all the way by the 2011 Premier IHC champions Courcey Rovers.

Coláiste Chríost Rí 2-10 Coláiste An Spioraid Naoimh 0-7

FORMER Cork senior football boss Larry Tompkins is one game away from claiming his first county title as a manager after his Mitchelstown side overcame Courcey Rovers 1-4 to 0-6 in dramatic fashion in the Cork JAFC semi-final in Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

THREE unanswered points in the final 10 minutes helped Ballyduff past Courcey Rovers at Cloughduv in the Munster IHC yesterday, a first hurling victory for a Kerry club in the provincial competition.

COURCEY ROVERS are just one step from senior ranks after surviving a stern test from Kilbrittain before a big crowd at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday.

CORK footballer Nicholas Murphy earned Carrigaline a replay in yesterday’s Cork Premier IHC quarter-final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh with an injury-time goal.

A FINE second-half display from Courcey Rovers saw them power past Inniscarra in the opening round of the Cork PIHC at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

PLAYING a far crisper brand of hurling, UCC outplayed CIT to win the Freshers Division 1 Hurling League final at CIT yesterday.

NEW YORK manager Louis Holland dismissed fears that injury could force two key players to miss tomorrow’s Connacht SFC opener against Roscommon at Gaelic Park.