Winning times are down - but how much of it is due to better track maintenance, asks Tommy Lyons.

Meath 2-12 Fermanagh 0-14

Before you say it, before you even think it, there is no conspiracy.

Cork 1-12 Kerry 0-9

It was hard at times in Pairc Ui Caoimh to escape the feeling that you were a victim of the current fad of nostalgia. So striking were the parallels with the National League final that this match could almost have been titled, "I love 1999."

England’s Jonathan Hurst has set his sights on the West of Ireland Amateur Open title after a level-par 71 gave him the first round lead at wind-blown Rosses Point today.

Cork’s side for tonight’s Munster U21HC semi-final against Waterford in Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7.30pm) will feature five players who have played in this year’s provincial senior championship while none of the Déise side saw action.

County star Bill Cooper, of Youghal and Imokilly, was named Reardens Cork Club Senior Hurler of the Year at a ceremony in Reardens, Cork City last night, with Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s) picking up the football prize.

THE truth, as Malachy O’Rourke will happily observe, can often be stranger than fiction.

Walsh believes his Cheltenham chances will improve as the week goes on.