Genuine sense of optimism on Leeside

THERE is no denying that the Cork hurlers are in much better shape than was the case this time 12 months ago. They collected their second brace of league points against Limerick last weekend, and, after all the turbulence in the county over the past couple of seasons, their positive start to the campaign makes for a refreshing change.

Walsh delight at signs of Rebel green shoots

IT was Cork's first league win under his stewardship, so it was easy to appreciate Denis Walsh's satisfaction after Offaly were put to the sword last Sunday. "It's a very positive start," enthused the Cork boss, adding that the team performed excellently in the second half.

• Horgan shoots down Faithful

Rebels can't afford to be complacent

PRIOR to last season's league clash with Cork at Pairc Uí Chaoimh, Limerick boss Justin McCarthy revealed he was hoping to build for the future and that he was satisfied there was plenty of up-andcoming talent ready to make their mark at the top level sooner rather than later.

• Horgan shoots down Faithful

Massive turnout for Scór na bPaistí finals

THERE was a huge attendance at Mallow Youth Centre on Sunday last for the North Cork Scor na Paisti finals. The programme lasted 4 hours with the standard in all competitions very high. Noel O'Connor was Question Master with Fear An Ti Michael O'Donovan. Alec Morrissey was Time keeper with Barry Aherne as scorekeeper. The judging panel were: Angela Casey, Margaret Fradgely and Victoria Fradgely.

Form teams have points to prove

PERHAPS, it's no great surprise that the three teams sharing top spot following the opening two rounds in the National Football League are Cork, Dublin and Mayo. In terms of rebuilding morale, they are the sides that arguably had most to gain by making a positive start to the new season after the disappointment endured in last year's championship.

Walsh laments lack of urgency in Rebels play

DENIS Walsh acknowledged that, in light of the well-documented hurling crisis in Limerick at the moment, Cork were in a no-win situation at the Gaelic Grounds last Saturday night. "It was a difficult game for us, because, irrespective of how well or how badly we performed, we weren't going to get any credit.

Hurlers to raise Fermoy's banner

IT was hugely disappointing for Fermoy when the challenge game to mark the official switching on of the floodlights in Fitzgerald Park had to be cancelled due to fog last month.

Daly goal swings matters in favour of Knocknagree

KNOCKNAGREE toughed it out to chisel a single point win over a wasteful Cullen in the Duhallow U21FC played in Cullen on Saturday last.

Cloughduv hoping for league/championship double in Junior B Hurling League Final

THE playing fields of Muskerry will be fairly busy this weekend with the Under 21 Football Championship and Junior Football Leagues commencing and the Junior (B) Hurling League Final which is outstanding from 2009 is also down for decision.