Ballincollig 1-15 St Finbarr’s 1-12: Let’s put to one side for a second Ballincollig’s successful opening bout in their county title defence, that much we expected, for the more pressing items emerging from Páirc Uí Rinn were Patrick Kelly’s ongoing struggle with a calf injury and the straight red card shown to John Miskella.

So, has it always been rugby with you?

Conor Counihan is expected to continue as Cork football manager next season but is said to be considering changing his management team according to tonight's Evening Echo.

John Cleary is an old hand at the U21 management game.

A man in his 20s is due back before Cork District Court today, charged over the killing of another man in County Cork on Thursday night.

A MAN has appeared before the courts charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 25-year-old father of two.

A 23-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fatal assault on a father of two who was found with stab wounds in Passage West in Co Cork.

IT’S a measure of the greatness of this Nemo Rangers setup that they have delivered such a formidable riposte to last year’s quarter-final championship exit.

MICHAEL SHIELDS has been ruled out of Ireland’s plans for Saturday’s International Rules first test against Australia at the Gaelic Grounds due to his involvement in Sunday’s Cork SFC final.

IT’S an all-city Cork SFC final, a battle between probably the two best sides in the county at the moment, as St Finbarr’s – albeit, riding their luck – wore down wasteful Carbery Rangers under lights at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday to book a final date with Nemo Rangers.

DRAMA and excitement in equal measure in Dunmanway on Saturday when St Finbarr’s survived a courageous O’Donovan Rossa challenge in this Evening Echo Cork SFC fourth round clash.

ST FINBARR’S football manager Tony Leahy is disarmingly frank about how he originally saw 2009 unfolding.

TWENTY-FOUR years is a long time to wait for an appearance in a county senior football final in any man’s language.

THE call came as a jolt to his senses. Midweek in late February 2008 and Patrick Kelly was in a pub in Limerick, watching a Champions League game with a few college friends.

THE MOUNTAIN top may be in sight, but there’s plenty of hard climbing to be done yet. Cork’s ousting of Kerry in last month’s Munster semi-final has pushed them front and centre in the All-Ireland football betting markets, but it’s also exposed them to closer and more unforgiving scrutiny.

WITH the spring rehearsals over, Graham Canty believes Cork can go into summer football in a positive frame of mind.

THE relief on the face of St Finbarr’s coach Tony Leahy was palpable at the final whistle as his side won back their senior status after just one year in the lower grade.

THE Saints, Finbarr’s and Vincent’s, will endeavour to decide the destination of the Premier IFC title for the second time in a fortnight when they clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh tomorrow in an eagerly-awaited replay, (2.15 pm).

ST FINBARR’S are still on course to regain senior status following a four-point victory over Ballinora in the Evening Echo Premier IFC quarter-final at Pairc Uí Rinn last night.

Laois Under-21 football manager Sean Dempsey has kept faith with the 15 players that beat Mayo in the recent semi-final for tomorrow night's Cadbury's All-Ireland football final against Cork (Semple Stadium, throw-in 7pm).

Cathrach Keane has been recalled to the Cork team for Sunday's All-Ireland U-21 football semi-final against Ulster champions Armagh in Portlaoise (throw-in 3pm).

Cork scooped the Cadbury's Munster under-21 football title for the fourth successive year after beating a gallant Tipperary side 3-19 to 3-12 at the Gaelic Grounds.

UNBRIDLED scenes of joy erupted at the final whistle of yesterday’s thrilling Cadbury’s All-Ireland U21 football championship final, and it took Mayo coach Pat Holmes an age to make it back to the safety of their dressing-room.

TONY LEAHY dismisses suggestions that Cork are favourites to win tomorrow’s Cadbury All-Ireland U21 football title against Mayo in Cusack Park, Ennis (2.30pm).

Caragh Keane has kept his place in the Cork team for Sunday's Cadbury's All-Ireland Under-21 Football final against Mayo (Cusack Park, Ennis, throw-in 2.30pm).

A CRACKING goal by centre-forward Cathrach Keane 10 minutes into the second half proved decisive in this thrilling Cadburys All-Ireland U-21 FC semi-final replay at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, on Saturday.

Cork 2-13 Laois 2-13

WITH defending champions Armagh having surrendered their crown, tomorrow’s All-Ireland U-21 football semi-finals take on added significance.

Cork 4-14 Waterford 1-6

Cork 4-14 Waterford 1-06

Ballincollig's Brian Cotter will start for champions Cork in tomorrow night's Cadbury's Munster Under-21 football final against Waterford (Pairc Ui Rinn, throw-in 7.00pm).

Cork 1-14 Kerry 2-8

COLMAN CORRIGAN’S football career took many twists and turns, but he has fond memories of his days as a student at DLS Macroom.

Kerry 0-10 Cork 0-10

Tipperary 2-8 CIT 0-13

JOHN Allen and Billy Morgan were officially re-appointed as coaches to the Cork senior hurling and football teams at last night’s meeting of the County Board.

Galway 0-17 Cork 1-11