Cork’s little All Ireland, the Cork County Senior Hurling Championship has got underway for 2008. Who are the contenders for Cork’s biggest prize in club hurling? Erins Own are chasing an another County to make it three in a row and with their side being relatively young and devoid of a major distraction of gaelic football should go very close to retaining their crown. Newtownshandrum who were very disappointing in losing last years final are fancied by many to redeem themselves in 2008. However with the latter stages of the competition now almost being exclusively played when Cork have exited the Championship, what condition will Ben and Jerry O Connor be in by then, remember both were limited by injury in last years final against Erins Own. Many people feel that maybe Cloyne’s chance of a County may have slipped by but with Paudie O’Sullivan back from injury and Donal O’Grady also being involved at some level they could have one final kick in them, they face Glen Rovers in the first round and that could be the game of the round.

A strong second half performance paved the way for a comfortable Cork victory over Limerick in this ESB Munster MHC qualifier at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Wednesday night. Beaten by Clare in the first round proper, the Rebels got their campaign back on track with this win which earns them a semi-final meeting with Waterford next month. However, it was only after the change of ends that they put their opponents away. Limerick began brightly with three points from Kevin Downes giving them an early advantage. Graham Mulcahy extended their lead to five points with a cracking goal, but Cork were back on level terms by the end of the first quarter, thanks largely to the impressive form of Simon O’Brien at full forward. Cork’s Ciaran Sheehan then had a penalty saved and Limerick went on to lead by 1-9 to 0-10 at the interval.

Cork captured their 49th Munster senior camogie crown with a 2-11 to 0-12 win over Tipperary thanks, in part, to a five star show from ’keeper Aoife Murray. Murray received the player of the game award at Pairc Ui Rinn after a faultless display which saw the Tipp girls thwarted time and time again. The Rebels led by 2-6 to 0-5 at half-time and showed all their experience and class thereafter to keep the Premier County at bay. Cork’s first goal was rifled home by Emer O’Farrell after just six minutes after Sheila Burns was denied by Tipp ’keeper Paula Ryan.

All-Ireland champions Cork retained their Suzuki Ladies NFL crown with a comprehensive 6-13 to 2-10 win over neighbours Kerry at Cusack Park, Ennis. The Rebelettes led from pillar to post after Valerie Mulcahy put them on their way with an early goal which helped hoist them into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead after just 12 minutes. Deirdre O’Reilly and Amy O’Shea added further goals as Kerry continued to reel on the ropes as they saw the deficit increase to 0-1 to 3-4 by the 19th minute.

With June 8th drawing closer and closer the main talk among Cork Hurling supporters is, what will be the starting fifteen against the old enemy and recently crowned league champions Tipperary .The main consensus among fans is that the team will be very similar to the one last year that bowed out at the quarter final stage even though they still took part in seven games. Even though the League for Cork was shortened by two rounds and they may have played a little rusty due to being behind in training, it still proved very beneficial to the selectors in that players who needed a break got one and new players that were tried out proved successful. Eoin Cadogan, Brian Corry and Paudie O‘Sullivan are players who have never played senior championship for the rebels but have really put themselves in contention for June 8th. Others like Leigh Desmond, Stephen White, Fintan O Leary and Ciaran McGann may have to impress the selectors a bit more to see game time in the championship. So what do the selectors do? Do they pick the tried and trusted players that have delivered in the past? Do those players still have the hunger and desire to get Cork to Croke Park in September? Do they still have the legs and energy left in the tank to win another Munster or All Ireland Crown?

With nothing but pride to play for, Armagh and Cork played out an entertaining draw in their final NFL Division 2 game at Crossmaglen this afternoon. This tie came alive in the final quarter-hour, during which Armagh's Aaron Kernan and Corkman Conor McCarthy were both sent-off. Two points apiece from Paddy McKeever and Oisin McConville had the hosts 0-06 to 0-04 ahead at half-time. Nicholas Murphy's 59th-minute goal and a punched point from top scorer Daniel Goulding then saw Cork surge into a 1-09 to 0-09 lead. Yet Armagh's strong finish, with Aidan O'Rourke, McConville and McKeever helping themselves to scores, was crowned by a levelling point from Stephen McDonnell. On as a substitute, McDonnell held his nerve to slot a 74th-minute shot through the uprights and ensure a share of the spoils for his side.

Galway dominated the first half of this enthralling NHL Division 1 semi-final to book their place in next Sunday's decider. Ger Loughnane's side looked formidable at the Gaelic Grounds and led by 2-15 to 0-07 at half-time. Debutant Joe Canning pointed before he set up a 25th-minute goal for Iarla Tannian and Ger Farragher also netted from a 20-metre free. With Joe Deane, Pa Cronin and Ronan Curran brought on, Cork whittled the Galway lead down to three points but a late goal eluded them. Cork's five-match unbeaten run came to an end as Galway, playing some incisive hurling at break-neck speed, made it through to their first league final since 2004.