It was a heavy hot Saturday afternoon that greeted Tipperary and defending cup champions, Wexford with the winners to face Fr Tom Burke’s in the Sheehan Cup final next Sunday. The sides delivered an entertaining game of hurling, with Tipperary winning by the narrowest of margins.

Donegal and Christophers began their championship campaigns under blues skies at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton on Sunday afternoon. The teams also met at the opening stage this time last year and are no stranger to each other. Donegal had the edge that day, and as it turned out, also did one year later. Christophers started sharp with a point from local youngster, Paudie Kenneally. Christopher’s also almost had a goal with the ball nearly trickling into the net, but the scare had the effect of waking Donegal out of their slow start. The northern side began to dominate the game. Christy Bell and Brian White fired the opening salvos, and were followed with points from Ciaran wiliams and veteran stalwart, Kevin Curran. A well worked goal from Garbhan Friel followed after a great ball from Brian Donnelly. White and Donnelly, who made is debut for Donegal, pointed again and shortly afterwards, White scored Donegal’s second goal. Things were not going well for Christopher’s. The 2009 champions battled back however, and scores came from Dan Kenneally and Eoin Gorham. Christopher’s were unlucky not to have a goal as Paudie Ken rally's chance just went wide of the post. Donegal were in a comfortable half time position, leading by 2-10 to 0-3 for Christopher’s.

The Shannon Blues advanced to the quarter final of the Pat O’Brien Cup with a solid display against a gallant Kerry side in difficult, windy conditions. It was a game that Kerry will look back on and rue many missed opportunities in the second half. The wind played a factor as kicking frees into the gate end goal proved nearly impossible. Trailing by three points at half time, the kingdom lifted their efforts in the second half but having won several frees that would have been very scoreable under normal conditions, conditions were not normal.

While inter-squad scrimmages are fine when you do not have a national league to play in, the greatest training session ever is a competitive game.

The visit to Boston last Saturday of the New York senior football team for a challenge with their near rivals resulted in a win for New York. It was not without its problems, however.