Rebels with a cause
Cork rally to break Clare hearts and Waterford see off Wexford to leave Kilkenny facing triple Munster threat
Timmy McCarthy celebrates after scoring Cork's first goal in their dramatic victory over Clare
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Kilkenny must fend off a strong Munster challenge from Cork, and either Waterford or Tipperary if they're to retain the All-Ireland SHC crown.
An epic afternoon in Thurles yesterday saw Waterford book a semi-final date with Tipperary after edging out Wexford, while Cork are through to face Kilkenny after staging another famous comeback -- this time at the expense of Clare.
The Rebels looked to be heading out when they trailed Clare by eight points at half-time, but showing the same determination that propelled them to victory over Galway eight days earlier, Cork turned in a superb second-half display to clinch a two-point win.
On the football front, Kerry's return to the All-Ireland race this weekend will feature a re-run of last year's quarter-final as they take on Monaghan in the third round of the qualifiers.
It wasn't the draw Kerry would have wanted as Monaghan were extremely unlucky to lose by a point last year. Monaghan won't be especially pleased by the pairing either as after beating Derry and Donegal on successive weekends, they would have hoped for something easier than a clash with the All-Ireland champions.
Tyrone and Mayo will clash in what will be a repeat of their 2004 quarter-final while Down will face Wexford, who beat them in a Division 3 National League game earlier in the year.
Kildare are drawn against Fermanagh, whose Ulster championship ambitions died yesterday.
All four ties will be played this weekend at neutral venues. The winners will take on the four provincial champions, Armagh, Cork, Dublin and Galway on the following weekend. Full details of this weekend's arrangements will be announced today.
Round 3 SF qualifiers
Tyrone v Mayo
Down v Wexford
Kildare v Fermanagh
Monaghan v Kerry
- Martin Breheny
