Competition for the three Munster places for the third All-Ireland series intensified in the past week.

Andrew Thornton’s retirement at Uttoxeter today will signal the end of an era in weighing rooms up and down Britain.

Gavin Twohig closed with a brilliant bowl at Grange to grab a last-shot win over Michael Harrington in the Willie Whelton Cup.

Mick Hurley’s star continues to rise with another fine performance which got him past John O’Rourke in the Ballinacurra tournament.

When Glanmire lost four key members of their Super League squad in the off-season, many predicted a meltdown of their club.

The bravery of a father-of-four who suffered a catastrophic stroke at the age of 47 has inspired friends to launch a fundraising campaign to help meet the substantial costs of his rehabilitation.

Colin O’Donovan scorched to within three metres of the line in 12 brilliant shots to beat David Cotter by a bowl of odds in the Dinny McCarthy Cup final at Derrinasafa.

Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane yesterday cut the ribbon on a groundbreaking interventional pain service facility at Marymount Hospital and Hospice in Cork, the first of its kind in Europe.

Grand National-winning rider Timmy Murphy claimed his first winner as a fully-fledged Flat jockey aboard Houdini in the Roger & Mary Marsh Handicap at Wolverhampton yesterday.

David Murphy opened with six brilliant bowls at Bauravilla to send him on his way to an emphatic win over Martin Coppinger in the Mick Crowley Cup.

It’s never easy for any manager to face the microphone after seeing his team come off second best, still less when it’s not just a game but a league title which has been lost in the preceding 90 minutes.

Leading Cheltenham contenders Big Buck’s and Silviniaco Conti could enjoy a workout after racing at Exeter on Friday, if the ground is suitable.

Timmy Murphy has been suspended for nine days following his altercation with fellow jockey Dominic Elsworth at Newbury last week.

Timmy Murphy and Dominic Elsworth will be required at an inquiry at Wincanton on Thursday following the alleged changing room altercation at Newbury on Friday which forced Murphy to miss the ride on Hennessy favourite Our Father with a dislocated left shoulder.

The British Horseracing Authority has decided to hold an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a shoulder injury sustained by Timmy Murphy at Newbury on Friday.

Paul Nicholls has won the RSA Worcester Novices’ Chase at Newbury with a few reasonable staying types and Just A Par looked another from the same mould.

Inniscarra 0-20 Kilworth 0-16

Martin Coppinger and Eddie Carr will face each other in the rescheduled All-Ireland senior final at Béal na mBláth on Saturday, August 24.

Willie Mullins feels testing conditions could give Back In Focus the edge over stable companion Boston Bob in tomorrow's Growise Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.

Cork City have branded claims on Twitter that the club’s players were on strike as “nasty rumours”.

Glanmire CC 5-04 CCN Carrignavar 2-10 (aet)

I have just five rides over the next two days, but this could still be a great weekend. What it really comes down to is whether I can win the Betfair Chase at Haydock today aboard Silviniaco Conti.

Kauto Star may be nicely tucked up in his box enjoying retirement, but Paul Nicholls could still have an embarrassment of riches come Boxing Day at Kempton.

A late goal from substitute Timmy Murphy sent Inniscarra into the Cork County PIHC semi-finals, Valley Rovers denied at Cloughduv last night.

Brian Ellison enjoyed a bumper pay-day when winning two big Betfair-sponsored prizes with cast-offs Sound Accord and Hada Men at Haydock.

Roc De Guye may emerge the luminary on a rather low-key afternoon at Hereford.

So, two years ago, who’d have thought that, Cork City would ever been better off than Glasgow Rangers?

There was a huge shock in a dramatic opener at Newbury this afternoon as Crafty Roberto ran out a fortunate winner as favourite Grumeti crashed out.

MARGARET O’Sullivan is looking for her quality-over-quantity approach to pay off in a big way in next Tuesday’s Coral Welsh National.

Margaret O’Sullivan is looking for her quality-over-quantity approach to pay off in a big way in next week’s Coral Welsh National.

Basketball Ireland have announced that Timmy Murphy will be stepping down from his role as President of the association with immediate effect after his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Cork City Football Club.

Mark Bradstock's Carruthers outstayed his rivals to land a famous victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury this afternoon.

David Pipe is confident stamina will not be an issue for Great Endeavour when the grey goes for glory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Great Endeavour provided David Pipe with a first victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

AN inspirational teenager who has overcome incredible odds to live a full life was among several young people honoured at a Garda awards scheme last night.

HENRY de Bromhead is weighing up the options for Sizing Europe following his highly creditable performance at Down Royal last weekend.

A TEENAGER born without arms or legs is to be the recipient of a special achievement award at the West Cork Garda Youth Awards later this week.

CLOSING an army barracks will save the state at most €200,000 — but will deprive local economies of up to €8 million, according to the association representing soldiers, sailors and aircrew.

Colm Murphy celebrated a big-race Grade One double on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival today as Big Zeb and Quito De La Roque came up trumps for the Wexford trainer.

Poker De Sivola came from last to first to give trainer Ferdy Murphy a second success in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

IT’S a funny old game, this racing. Jessica Harrington and Robert Power were down in the dumps, following the unlucky defeat of Oscars Well in the Neptune, but about 45 minutes or so later their entire world had changed.