Is that the new thing now? Each season, inter-county management search for the extra inch. Rule-makers strive for the perfect rule And players do whatever it takes to win (in comfortable socks, of course). Here’s a few innovations for the Championship. Sort of.

A former Cork car sales tycoon and witness at the Mahon Tribunal has made a €6.25m settlement with Revenue for under declaring income tax, capital gains tax, and stamp duty.

LEESIDE LEGEND: Cork-born Jackie Morley signs for West Ham in 1955 where he spent three seasons before returning in 1958, joining League of Ireland newcomers, Cork Hibs.

Romance was in the air at Ford’s showrooms in Sandyford, Dublin on Tuesday but, despite the gleaming array of new and vintage motors on display, that special tingle had nothing to do with the lure of the open road or the magic in the night that Springsteen had in mind back when him and Mary were “pullin’ outta here to win”.

New Manchester United coach Jimmy Lumsden, who has joined manager David Moyes from Everton, spent part of his playing career with Cork Hibernians in the 1970s.

THE Queen might not have made it to the Aviva Stadium — or even to dear old Dalyer to doff her crown to the Jodi Stand — but Irish football had its own reasons to feel the hand of history on its shoulder this week.

MAYBE the excitement got the better of him. Either that or the pitchside MC at Thomond Park just isn’t much of a rugby fan.

I’M still receiving e-mails on an almost daily basis regarding the crisis in Cork, which suggests that the Cork hurling public, at least, are concerned about what’s going on.

IF SPORT is about anything, it’s about heroes. I lost my all-time sports hero this week and applications for a replacement won’t be invited. Nobody could fill those boots.

COBH RAMBLERS must cope with the inevitable contrast between the high excitement of a game against Roy Keane’s Manchester United selection and a less glamorous contest with Limerick if they are to advance in the FAI Carlsberg Cup at St. Colman’s Park tonight (8 pm ko).

THE German managers of Scotland’s international football teams were full of praise for the under-age structure that Brian Kerr has established in Ireland.