Newtownshandrum 2-27 Ballymartle 2-23 (after extra time)

Round four of the Cork senior hurling championship at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday and also the unofficial Carrigdhoun divisional final as these two old foes went toe to toe in a typical tight derby battle.

The adverse weather impacted on the spectacle but Saturday’s eagerly-awaited Fitzgibbon Cup final in the Mardyke concluded in a blaze of drama as UCC claimed a thrilling extra-time success as they celebrated the centenary of the competition in style on home soil.

UCC 2-15 CORK IT 2-14, the Mardyke (after extra-time)

UCC 3-14 UL 0-12

Limerick 4-20 Cork 1-27 (after extra-time)

BEN O’CONNOR has made major contributions to Newtown hurling over the years but his latest at Mallow on Saturday night in the county senior championship was massive.

CORK’S production line at intermediate hurling level continues to be in fine working order as evidenced by this victory over Tipperary in yesterday at Semple Stadium.

NEW Kerry U21 coach Eamonn Fitzmaurice has moved quickly to put an impressive back-room team in place for next season — including former Munster rugby forward John O’Sullivan as physical trainer.

TO the wider hurling public Darren McCarthy has carved a reputation as an excellent goalkeeper with Cork underage teams but for his club Ballymartle he will forever be associated with his contributions outfield after the stunning conclusion to yesterday’s All-Ireland club IHC final in Croke Park.

A SCRAPPY encounter in this Munster club IHC semi-final in Ballyagran yesterday, but a dominant second-half performance was enough to see Ballymartle qualify for the final against Tipp side Borrisokane in Mallow on Sunday week.

BALLYMARTLE justified their status as championship favourites once more in Minane Bridge last night when they staved off a spirited challenge from local rivals Courcey Rovers before triumphing in the Evening Echo Cork PIHC semi-final.

NEWCESTOWN’S title aspirations ground to a shuddering halt in dramatic circumstances at Ballinspittle on Saturday when a late flurry of Ballymartle points put them out of the Cork Premier IHC.

NEWCESTOWN’S title aspirations ground to a shuddering halt in dramatic circumstances at Ballinspittle on Saturday when a late flurry of Ballymartle points put them out of the Cork Premier IHC.

THE end margin may have flattered UL slightly, as four late unanswered points added gloss to their Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final win, and conceals a battling display by a UCC team that were light on physique and experience in comparison to their opponents.