Cork senior football selector John Corcoran believes that strapping full-forward Michael Cussen has been key to the Rebel County’s progress this year in the All-Ireland SFC. Cussen may line out in the number 14 berth or at midfield this Sunday against Kerry, but either way Corcoran reckons the Glanmire ace has been one of the finds of the year. "I know some media have been critical of our use of Michael, but he’s been a real success for Cork," Corcoran claimed. "His performance against Meath was superb, both on the edge of the square and out in the field.

Cork football captain Derek Kavanagh says he is happy that there isn’t the same "frenzy" in the city that invariably accompanies the hurlers’ participation in the All-Ireland final. Kavanagh is glad that the run-up to the Rebel County’s participation in this Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry is a low-key affair. "I’m working outside the city but from what I can see it’s pretty low key and I just hope it stays that way," said Kavanagh. "We’ve always come secondary to the hurlers as regard support base.

There is a general consensus in sport that you have to experience the defeats before you can fully appreciate the ecstasy of triumph. Cork will know this more than most and after near misses in their last two All-Ireland campaigns, the Rebels are back. But this time they won’t just be present at the engagement party and as they prepare to walk down the aisle on the third Sunday in September, Hogan Stand got the views of their ace attacker James Masters. It been a topsy-turvy year for the Nemo Rangers clubman. As expected he tore apart the defences of Limerick and Tipperary en-route to the Munster final but Billy Morgan’s charges were unable to repeat the dose against the Kingdom in this year’s provincial decider, losing out by the slenderest of margins.

Former Cork football boss Larry Tompkins says Anthony Lynch’s injury is a bitter blow to player and county but it could motivate the Rebels nevertheless to produce a winning performance in the upcoming All-Ireland SFC final. "His leadership will be badly missed," Tompkins opined. "In situations like this, you can often replace a player in terms of the basics, but you can’t replace leadership or experience. That’s why Anthony will be such a loss to Cork next Sunday. "His absence is a serious blow to Cork and a terrible disappointment because he has put so much time and effort into his football.

Cork senior camogie boss John Cronin congratulated opponents Wexford on clinching their first All-Ireland blue riband crown in 32 years but conceded that his charges didn’t perform to their optimum ability. "We’re very disappointed because we just didn’t perform as we can do on the day," said the Cloughduv native. "Having said that, I’d just like to congratulate Wexford on a great performance. "Balls that usually go over the bar went wide so we were always chasing the game after they got the two goals.

Wexford took their first Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship title since 1975 thanks to a two-point victory over reigning champions Cork at Croke Park this afternoon. This was not an easily carved out victory for Stellah Sinnott's charges who were made work very hard by the three-in-a-row chasers. However Wexford never trailed in this game after Jennifer O'Leary had taken the opening point for Cork thanks to a goal after three and a half minutes from the unmarked Una Leacy who struck to the net from 14 metres. Wexford quickly added to their tally with a Kate Kelly point, as the Shelmalier's player ensured status as the top scorer in the championship with 1-40 to her credit following the game. Cork were made pay dearly for their seven wides in the opening half as Wexford made more clinical use of possession with Leacy palming home her second goal, midway through the opening half.

A huge question mark hangs over Cork defender Anthony Lynch’s participation in the upcoming All-Ireland SFC final after he suffered a broken hand in training yesterday (Saturday). The experienced defender suffered the injury while taking part in a A versus B training game in Cork. Lynch’s bad luck was confirmed by a scan after he was taken to Bon Secours hospital and it now seems virtually certain that he won’t take any part in the final. "Anthony took a knock making a tackle - it’s a completely freak injury," said Cork team doctor Con Murphy. "As he said himself, it’s a tackle he makes every day but on this occasion, he broke a bone in his hand. "He’s completely gutted, very disappointed after working so hard to get to this stage."

Cork remain unchanged from their semi-final victory over Tipperary last month while Wexford, who are chasing their first All-Ireland title since 1975, have made one change from their win over Galway ahead of Sunday’s Gala camogie decider. The ladies from the sunny south east have called on Bróna Furlong, an All-Ireland Sprinter, who impresses when introduced as a substitute in the second half of the semi-final victory over the Tribeswomen. In a reshuffled Wexford side she will start at right half forward while Aoife O’Connor who played at midfield that day is the player to loose out on a starting place. Tipperary man John Morrissey, who was in charge of the 1998 All-Ireland final between Cork and Galway, will once again be the man to take charge of Sunday’s eagerly awaited clash.

Arthritis Ireland and Donegal Catch, along with three of Ireland’s well-known GAA stars; Dublin footballer, Colin Moran; Galway hurler, Alan Kerins and Cork hurler Diarmuid O’Sullivan, have joined forces to launch the Arthritis Ireland & Donegal Catch Brain GAAme 2007, the first and only initiative of its kind in Ireland. In addition Kerry football legend and winner of eight All-Ireland finals, Pat Spillane, who has arthritis, has lent his support to the initiative. An All-Ireland educational programme, aimed at GAA juniors aged 10-12; it aims to promote sport and safe sports practice amongst our children in an effort to offset the potential to develop arthritis in later years. The rigours of high impact sports today may leave participants facing the prospect of being 10 times more likely to get arthritis than the general population. The Brain GAAme initiative is a three-part fundraising and education programme for 5th and 6th class students which has been specially designed to teach children how to Be Smart and Play Smart to keep their young joints healthy. Each team that registers will be sent a fantastic Be Smart, Play Smart Wall Chart to hang in their classroom, the chart is available in English and Irish. This fun and child-friendly guide, developed in conjunction with physiotherapist to the Dublin GAA football team, John Murphy, explains what children need to do to look after their joints and avoid injury when having fun and playing sport.

The GAA has confirmed that the Bank of Ireland All Ireland Football final between Cork and Kerry on September 16th will be refereed by David Coldrick of Meath. Currently a member of the Blackhall Gaels club, he won minor and U21 football championship medals with Kilcloon-Moynalvey-Batterstown in Meath and has had a busy year which included refereeing the Mayo v Galway Allianz football league semi-final, the Ulster Senior Championship final and the All Ireland Quarter final between Kerry and Monaghan. Last year he took charge of his first AIB All Ireland Club final and also refereed the Kerry v Armagh All Ireland quarter final. Mr Coldrick’s team of match officials on the day were also confirmed. Marty Duffy (Sligo) will be the stand-by referee (and linesman), Maurice Deegan of Laois will act as linesman and the sideline official will by Donegal’s Robert O Donnell.