He didn’t see the full seventy minutes, but it’s hard to believe he saw any game time at all when you consider his season.

Richie Power has no intention of joining some of his erstwhile Kilkenny teammates in self-imposed retirement, but the Carrickshock forward knows all too well the sacrifices needed to hang on to the inter-county merry-go-round.

Pauric Mahony is not expected to play for Waterford in this summer's Hurling Championship after undergoing surgery on a groin problem over the weekend.

There were only 538 spectators in Páirc Uí Rinn to witness a McGrath Cup clash on a cold January afternoon yet the low-key setting could not detract from Colm O’Neill’s delight at returning to the inter-county game last Sunday.

ALL-IRELAND champions Cork suffered a devastating blow last night when it was confirmed that key attacker Colm O’Neill has suffered cruciate ligament damage and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.