JUSTIN McCarthy's tenure as Limerick hurling manager has come under renewed threat after one club yesterday submitted a motion of no confidence in his management.

IT HAS been one of the great sagas in the long and distinguished history of the Dr Harty Cup.

WHEN Cork demolished Kilkenny in the second half of 2004 All-Ireland final they could never have imagined that in March 2010 they would still be waiting for their next victory over the black-and-amber.

THE All-Ireland hurling championship format will change for the eighth time in 13 years if counties agree to overturn a vote taken only five months ago.

After their stirring win over Tyrone in Inniskeen last weekend, Monaghan have suffered a blow with the news that defenders Damien Freeman and Gary McQuaid have withdrawn from the panel.

Well, at least we know where priorities rest in Limerick. Even if a solution were found immediately to the hurling conflict, the season is effectively written off in terms of Limerick reaching whatever potential they possess.

lethal wing-forward John Michael O'Callaghan bagged 1-9 to steer Clonakilty CC to their sixth Munster title yesterday.

THE heavy fixtures load being foisted on many GAA players at this time of year has prompted Offaly hurling manager Joe Dooley to suggest returning to an autumn start for the National Leagues.

THE Limerick hurling stalemate continues after no new initiatives emerged at last night's County Board meeting.

TOMORROW

• No automatic relegation from the Liam McCarthy Cup level until 2013. The Christy Ring Cup winners will have the right to be promoted each year. A county will have the option of dropping from McCarthy to Ring Cup level, if it so decides, while the Ring Cup winners will have the option of being promoted or remaining where they are. A similar system to apply at Rackard and Meagher Cup level.


• All-Ireland intermediate and junior inter-county championships to be scrapped. All-Ireland minor football quarter-finals to be scrapped, with the four provincial winners to qualify for the All-Ireland semi-finals.


• Depending on the number of clubs in a county, representation at Congress to be cut from a minimum of four to two. That would give large counties (who will retain their 10 delegates) five times the voting power of smaller counties.


• Central Fixtures Planning Committee, comprised of eight members, to be appointed and given powers to plan, monitor and review national fixtures programmes.


• Further fixture planning procedures to be put in place at provincial and county level.

Tonight's meeting in Claughaun is certain to discuss the impasse and hear back from the executive on the failed attempt to introduce Croke Park officials as mediators. Up to yesterday evening no motions of no confidence had been tabled in the current management.

Liam Sheedy is unlikely to face any censure for his sideline altercation with rival manager Brian Cody at the end of Sunday's Semple Stadium league clash.

THURLES CBS manager Niall Cahill believes that asking his team and opponents Ardscoil Rís to play a third Harty Cup final in 12 days amounts to "cruelty" to the players involved.

Hickey reveals Limerick exiles to train together as they maintain steadfast anti-McCarthy stance

A late goal by Enda Fitzpatrick handed Carlow IT a dramatic victory at Pearse Stadium.

BRIAN MORAN scored 10 points as Mayo beat Armagh in Crossmaglen, but it was Armagh's 15 first-half wides and a missed penalty that proved the main talking point.

Tipperary hurler Seamus Hennessy -- who landed the last-gasp points that sent the semi-final and final to extra-time -- reckoned that tough group games all season had moulded NUI Galway into a winning side.

Despite being down to 14 men for most of the second half, Wicklow got their campaign off to a winning start in Swords.

A spontaneous round of applause and a standing ovation from 2,090 spellbound spectators at McDonagh Park in Nenagh on Saturday was richly deserved as holders Nenagh CBS and Ardscoil Ris fought out another epic stalemate.

They swung the doors of Semple Stadium open under a flamed-up sky yesterday and the low-watt glow of early season gave way to blinding light.

Longford continued their winning ways by accounting for an understrength South Down at Pearse Park.

Loreto ended Lismore's five-year unbeaten run to capture their first ever All-Ireland title in a fascinating tussle at Ardfinnan yesterday.

Padraig Boyle's brilliance and Ricky Heffernan's metronomic free-taking enabled Causeway to retain their crown with a crushing victory in Kilmallock.

GORT Community School's hopes of winning the title for the sixth time were dashed at Kenny Park in Athenry as Presentation College, Athenry captured their first crown since 1977.