The big basketball news from the weekend is the fact that Neptune have surged ahead of great rivals UCC Demons in the hunt for a play-off spot in the Nivea for Men's SuperLeague. Demons had a double game weekend, but were only able to win one of those against Moycullen, affording Neptune the chance to capitalize (beating Belfast Star) and snatch second spot away for the time being.

Cork registered two more valuable league points with a hard-fought victory over Kerry at Páirc Uí Rinn last Saturday night. In a typically tetchy affair in front of nearly 5,000 people, Cork went some way to making up for last September's All-Ireland final defeat but no one will be getting carried away with the victory.

Cork hurling manager Denis Walsh has declared the Rebels mean business in 2010 as the team prepare for the start of the National Hurling League on Sunday at home to Offaly in Pairc Ui Chaoimh (throw-in 2.30pm). Speaking to the Cork Independent, Walsh said that the league will be taken very seriously by the team and he has seen a real hunger in training as Cork look to re-establish themselves at the top of the hurling ladder.

Allianz NHL Cork v Offaly Sunday Pairc Ui Chaoimh @ 2.30 pm
After the Waterford Crystal Cup and the usual round of challenge games the serious business for Denis Walsh and his backroom team gets underway on Sunday with the visit of Offaly to the Park.

This week's nostalgia effort has almost a totally Cork flavour, in that it recalls the wonderful triumph of Lovely Citizen in the Foxhunters Trophy at the 1991 Cheltenham Festival meeting. Lovely Citizen was at that time in the yard of the O'Sullivan family of Lombardstown, which is near enough to Mallow, in Co. Cork.

As Munster prepare to return to Magner's League action this Friday at Musgrave Park (kick-off 7.30pm), the squad were put through their paces in various guises over the past week. The Munster A team, under the watchful eye of Anthony Foley, had a comfortable win over Nottingham in the B&I Cup at the Waterford RSC last Friday while Tony McGahan and the Munster squad had some warm weather training in Club La Santa, Lanzarote last week.

Ballyhale Shamrocks 0-19
Newtownshandrum 0-17
Although only two points separated the sides at the end, it could have been a lot more. Only for Newtownshandrum's tremendous fighting spirit, they could easily have been overwhelmed in this All-Ireland semi-final but they hung on and could even have snatched it near the end.

The decision of the High Court in Dublin to defer its decision on the winding-up petition sought by The Revenue Commissioner underlines the importance of Cork City Football Club to the sporting culture of Ireland. The ensuing decision by the FAI to allow its Club Licensing Committee keep its powder dry pending the eventual outcome from the High Court, further embellishes the extraordinary position CCFC holds in the hearts and minds of football people around the country.

Revenge for Croker will firmly be on the agenda this weekend when Cork get an early chance to avenge last September's All-Ireland Final defeat to Kerry. The sides clash in the Allianz Football National League Division 1 at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday (throw-in 7.30pm) and the Rebels will be eager to atone for their second All-Ireland Final defeat to Kerry last year.

Garryowen 13
Dolphin 12
Despite a determined second-half fight back Dolphin lost for the fourth time this season against Garryowen in Dooradoyle last Sunday.