Extra-time failed to separate old rivals Cork and Tipperary in this cracking ESB Munster MHC semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Wednesday night. The Premier County were denied victory in normal time by a goal from Cork substitute Brian Hartnett, and it was a similar story at the end of extra-time when David Drake held his nerve to slot over the equaliser from a '65. Tipp were the better team in the first half of normal time, but James Coughlan's 23rd minute goal saw them trail by 1-6 to 1-7 at the interval. Another goal by Eoin O'Sullivan three minutes after the resumption, followed by a point from Paul Haughney, gave the home side a five-point lead.

The Holly Fund (www.thehollyfund.com) was formed recently to raise funds for Holly O'Keeffe, an 18 month old Cork girl with a rare form of Cancer called Neuroblastoma. One major upcoming event is the inaugural Cork Sportsperson's Ball. This black tie event being held on July 17th in the Radisson Hotel, Little Island is hoped to be an annual event where people from all sporting codes around Cork city and county can attend. Two very special guests will be in attendance on the night - Irish Legend John Aldridge and Cork Hurling Captain John Gardiner. Tickets are 75 euro each and available from the Radisson reception or by contacting organiser Damien Wiley on 086-8453793 or emailing damien@thehollyfund.com. A special group deal of 650 euro for a table of ten is also available.

Guinness will continue their summer of celebration with a Cork Hurling Supporters Event on Tuesday 16th June at 7.30pm in Rearden’s Bar. Rebel county fans will be able to debate the issues and talk about the GAA Hurling championship in the company of former Cork greats Donal O’Grady, Tomas Mulcahy, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Joe Deane, as well as Manager Denis Walsh and two members of the squad. MC for the evening is Today FM’s Paul Collins. The night will run similar to a "championship" preview format, where the panel will analyse previous GAA Hurling championship games and discuss upcoming fixtures. Supporters will also be able to engage in a Q&A session with Denis Walsh and two players, and there will be plenty of prizes on offer on the night from match tickets to signed jerseys and special hurling t-shirts. Tickets for the supporter’s night are free, but strictly limited to 250 supporters, so to book your place, email guinnesshurling@ihurling.com.

Cork are through to the Munster final following a surprisingly comfortable 1-17 to 0-12 win over Kerry at Pairc Ui Chaoimh this evening. The Leesiders were simply awesome as they were very impressive all over the field, but none more so than Anthony Lynch, who was simply outstanding, holding Colm Cooper scoreless from play over the 70 minutes. Cork manager Conor Counihan made two changes to the side with Ray Carey named at corner back. The versatile John Miskella recovered from the hamstring injury which forced him off early in the second half of the drawn game to line out at centre back. The towering Michael Cussen, who replaced James Masters in the first half in Killarney, is kept in reserve once again. Noel O'Leary came in for Ger Spillane. Kerry on the other hand made a number of positional changes as Tommy Griffin went to centre field to partner Darragh O'Se, while Aidan O'Mahony slotted into centre back. Tadgh Kennelly went to wing forward as Michael Quirke lost out. Brian Sheehan came in for the injured Darren O'Sullivan, while Killian Young returned to the half back line. Donnacha Walsh had to settle for a place on the bench.

Cork and Kerry finished level in Killarney, but the Rebels will be kicking themselves after a late fade-out allowed the Kingdom back into the match. Kerry were never ahead in this game and Pearse O'Neill's first-half goal looked like it would prove decisive, but once they got a sniff of blood, Jack O'Connor's charges battled back for a 0-13 to 1-10 draw. The Leesiders were the better side for an hour but Kerry finished strongly and a run of five successive points between the 59th and 67th minutes handed them a lifeline. Cork went back in front deep into injury time but again Kerry wriggled off the hook with a late, late free from supersub Bryan Sheehan (0-5). The first half went according to script for the visitors, who led by 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval. Pearse O'Neill blasted the goal in the twelfth minute, while The Gooch squandered a penalty with a terrible attempt at the other end.

Holders Tipperary progressed to a Munster U21HC semi-final meeting with Waterford following a high-scoring and dramatic extra-time victory over Cork at Semple Stadium last night. Parading nine senior panellists, Tipp led for long stages, but struggled to shake off a dogged Cork side, for whom Patrick Horgan hit 0-12. This cracking first round tie was level on 13 occasions, including eight times in the first half before Shane Bourke's goal on the stroke of half-time handed the home side a 1-8 to 0-9 lead. John Considine's Cork team resumed with three points from Horgan and another from Andy Walsh to nudge into a 0-13 to 1-9 lead. But a Pa Bourke penalty eight minutes into the second half put Tipp back in front and they remained there until the final minute when Lorcan McLoughlin's point sent the game to extra-time (0-21 to 2-15).

Ballincollig's Paddy Kelly will make his Munster SFC debut for Cork against Kerry at Killarney on Sunday. Kelly replaces Paul O'Flynn at right half forward in the only change from the side that easily accounted for Waterford in the first round. Manager Conor Counihan has opted to keep the towering Michael Cussen in reserve, despite the fact that he has recovered from the broken collarbone which ruled him out of the latter stages of the NFL. Former Aussie Rules player Michael Shields continues at full back, with team captain Graham Canty once again at centre back. Alan O'Connor partners Nicholas Murphy at midfield with Pearse O'Neill and James Masters manning the central positions in attack for what will be the 11th championship meeting between the Munster heavyweights in four years.