A second victory for another experimental Cork side in round 2 of the McGrath Cup in Mallow last night.

Having been set to take time away from football after his spell as Kildare manager, Cian O’Neill has revealed how Ronan McCarthy coaxed him into the Cork set-up as a coach to the senior footballers.

Kerry junior football manager Jimmy Keane cannot fathom why so many counties do not bother fielding a junior team, believing the competition to be of even greater value since the U21 grade was lowered to U20.

Cork will meet Clare in the McGrath Cup final this Saturday after comfortably dismissing Limerick in today’s penultimate round clash at a venue which had neither a stand nor a scoreboard.

Down will be without their free-taker Donal O’Hare for their round 2 Qualifier against Cavan on Saturday.

Seán Hayes finds himself a busier man than usual. Having held the post of Cork U21 football manager from 2014-17, his inter-county duties are normally done and dusted by this time of year.

Cork minor manager Brian Herlihy says there is “absolutely no fear of complacency” from his charges ahead of this evening’s Munster semi-final clash with high-flying Limerick.

A look ahead to tonight’s three games...

Cill na Martra 2-11 Kilmeen 1-13: A thrilling Cork County U21 B Football Championship final ended with victory by the narrowest of margins for Cill na Martra at sunny Páirc Uí Rinn last night.