It was a case of deja vu 12 months on as Cork had Clare's number in a Munster senior hurling championship semi final. The Rebels booked a Munster final rematch with Limerick after a 2-23 to 2-18 win over the Banner in Thurles. Patrick Horgan was Cork's match winner, amassing a personal tally of 2-11, all from placed balls. Clare will have to go through the qualifiers again if they are to retain the Liam McCarthy Cup. Their manager Davy Fitzgerald had no complaints, and you can hear him after Cork boss Jimmy Barry Murphy...
On Saturday, Dublin guaranteed consecutive Leinster senior hurling final appearances for the first time since 1991 with a convincing 22 points to 1-14 defeat of Wexford at Wexford Park. Conal Keaney showed great leadership for the Dubs, scoring 5 points. The provincial champions are to meet Kilkenny or Galway, and Anthony Daly was his usual compelling self after the final whistle.
Last year Monaghan couldn't cope with Tyrone's savvy in the All Ireland quarter final, but in their Ulster senior football quarter final on Sunday, the Farney County continued their rate of progression. Niall Morgan missed a late free to draw the game for Tyrone, but that would have been unfair on the home team in Clones, as they edged through by 1-12 to 14 points. It is Monaghan's first win over Tyrone in the Championship since 1988, and boss Malachy O'Rourke was happy to put that unwanted record to bed in advance of a meeting with Armagh.
Meath had a nice confidence booster by scoring 7-13 against Carlow in their Leinster senior quarter final at Doctor Cullen Park. Carlow could only manage 6 points. Mickey Newman scored a hat trick. Royal manager Mick O'Dowd knows Kildare will be a much tougher proposition in the semi final.
