New Cork hurling boss Denis Walsh has reacted to his side's humiliating defeat to Kilkenny by making six changes for Sunday's final NHL outing against Waterford. The team is notable for the inclusion of four members of the 'development' squad used by Gerald McCarthy during the players' strike earlier this year. They are full back Killian Cronin, corner back Chris Murphy, wing forward Graham Callanan and corner forward Barry Johnson, who makes his first start since McCarthy's resignation. Jerry O'Connor and Erin's Own's Kieran Murphy, who started in attack against the Cats, form a new midfield partnership, while Pa Cronin and Fintan O'Leary come into the attack in place of Ben O'Connor and Neil Ronan.

A strong second-half showing from Cork saw them overpower Armagh at Pairc Ui Chaoimh yesterday and in the process edge out Kildare for a place in the final. The victory was well-deserved for Conor Counihan's side, who never trailed in this game and responded well after Steven McDonnell's goal in the 53rd minute gave Armagh a brief sliver of hope when they trailed 0-12 to 1-5. While McDonnell deserved a goal for his efforts, having been denied by Cork goalkeeper Alan Quirke on three occasions prior to that, the Armagh forward line did not function as well as it can, and struggled to make any real impact on the game. In contrast, all of Cork's six starting forwards, as well as midfielders Alan O'Connor and Nicholas Murphy, got on the scoresheet, as did substitute John Hayes, who scored four points.

Cork's hurlers looked completely out of their depth as they were thumped by All-Ireland champions Kilkenny at Nowlan Park (4-26 to 0-11). This was anything but a typical clash of the old rivals. A hat-trick of Richie Power goals helped the Black & Amber on their way, but the scores rained in from all angles on a sorry day for Cork. Henry Shefflin helped himself to a ten-point haul. The fired-up Cats showed the Rebels no mercy as they eased through to the Division One decider, showing the world how much ground the Leesiders have lost during the infamous players' strike. Clearly, new manager Denis Walsh has a mountain to climb to get the Rebels back into contention. Brian Cody's purring charges knocked over the last seven points of the game to win by 27. They were vastly superior throughout, while Cork were totally off the pace.

The Cork footballers overcame Dublin in a senior intercounty challenge match in Crettyard, Co Laois on Friday night. The impressive Mossy Quinn, who helped himself to 1-5 on the night, grabbed a late goal for the Dubs but it was insufficient to prevent a three-point defeat for Pat Gilroy's men. Cork held an identical margin lead at the half-time break having edged the first 35 minutes by 0-8 to 0-5. James Masters and John Hayes pushed the Rebels eight points clear early in the second half and that proved enough of a buffer to keep Dublin's late rally at bay.

Dennis Walsh was officially unveiled as the new Cork Senior Hurling manager this afternoon at a media briefing at the Rochestown Park Hotel. Walsh revealed three of his selectors with former Rebels teammate Pat Buckley, Carbury's Gerry Ryan and Pa Finn from St Finbar's making up the management team. Meanwhile it is as yet unclear if a fourth selector will be added to the backroom staff. The Rebels face Kilkenny this weekend in the National Hurling League and Walsh believes that the players will give a positive response to his appointment. "If I don't click with them I will be in trouble but I would be confident. Alot of the guys know me and where I come from and I think that they will be very happy to work with me," he said.

Cork came from four points behind in the last 11 minutes to snatch an amazing 1-20 to 2-16 NHL Division One win over Limerick in a cracking game in front of 4,574 supporters at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Limerick looked to have sewn up the spoils when Donal O'Grady's goal was added to by Niall Moran's 9th point of the day but the Rebel County had other ideas. Earlier a brilliant goal by Jerry O'Connor - after being set up by Brian Murphy - after just 90 seconds had Cork up and running and leading by 1-2 to 0-0 after just six minutes. Erin's Own ace Kieran Murphy's gem of a point allied to one from Tom Kenny had Limerick backpeddling before they eventually replied through a Niall Moran point.

Monaghan re-ignited their promotion charge with an excellent 2-13 to 1-9 Division Two defeat of Cork at St Mary's Park, Scotstown. Tommy Freeman and Raymond Ronaghan netted in either half for the winners, as Conor Counihan's side tasted defeat in a competitive game for the first time in 2009. The result means the fight for promotion at the top of the table remains wide open, with Kildare, Cork and Monaghan all locked on nine points apiece with one round of matches remaining. They will face Meath, Armagh and Laois respectively in the last round of matches in a fortnight's time. As it stands, the Lilywhites and the Rebels are in the promotion places by virtue of superior points difference.