IN THE end it was the clinical finishing of Allstar John Mullane that saw off a gutsy and determined Dublin challenge at Walsh Park yesterday as the NHL champions booked their passage into Sunday week’s quarter-final with a deserved seven point win, though it’s not yet clear whether they’ll have to play Cork in a play-off first.

THE long-threatened storm along the eastern seaboard came early to Parnell Park yesterday, with Dublin beginning yesterday’s NHL Division 1A clash at a whirlwind pace.

SPRINGTIME in Kilkenny and the Cats are back on the field. One week later than planned, given the postponement of last week’s game with Cork, but otherwise it’s normal service resumed, as they beat Dublin a one-sided League encounter not likely to linger in the memory.