Ciaran Sheehan returns as Cork trounce Kerry
29 December 2019; Ciaran Sheehan of Cork and James McCarthy of Kerry during the 2020 McGrath Cup Group B match between Kerry and Cork at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Cork enjoyed an impressive 6-19 to 2-9 win over a young Kerry side in their McGrath Cup opener. Given the experimental nature of the game, Rebel fans won't be losing the run of themselves just yet but one thing that will have warmed their hearts was the sight of Ciaran Sheehan at full forward.
Sheehan moved to AFL side Carlton after the 2013 season and has overcome a spate of injuries to finally mark his return to the Cork set-up following his 6 year absence.
O'Neill double act helps Armagh to comfortable win
29 December 2019; Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney speaks to his players following their victory of the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Round 1 match between Cavan and Armagh at Kingspan Breffni in Cavan. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
The O'Neill brothers were in flying form for Armagh as they got their Dr McKenna Cup off to a flying start with an impressive 2-17 to 1-13 win away to Cavan. Rian O'Neill contributed 0-6 (five from frees) to that tally, with The Anglo Celt highlighting his "exceptional form" while his brother Oisin contributed 0-3 from play.
Mickey Graham on the otherhand is in the midst of substantial rebuilding job following the departure of a number of key players from the Cavan panel.
Banty Returns
29 December 2019; Aaron Mulligan of Monaghan in action during the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Round 1 match between Monaghan and Derry at Grattan Park in Inniskeen, Monaghan. Photo by Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile
Seamus McEnaney enjoyed a winning start to his second term as Monaghan senior manager as his side ran out 1-17 to 0-14 winners at home to Derry in the Dr McKenna Cup.
Having trailed at half time the Farneymen scored six unanswered points before the final whistle to ease to victory, with youngster Aaron Mulligan playing an integral role. Mulligan was given the man of the match award and is a name that has been on many people's lips in Monaghan since starring in McEnaney's minor team of 2018. Watch this space.
Elsewhere in the Dr McKenna Cup, Down defeated Fermanagh in Enniskillen 1-11 to 0-7.
Cork book their place in the Munster Senior Hurling League final
29 December 2019; Tommy O’Connell of Cork in action against Jake Dillon of Waterford during the Co-op Superstores Munster Hurling League 2020 Group B match between Waterford and Cork at Fraher Field in Dungarvan, Waterford. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Cork booked their place in the Munster Senior Hurling League final with a 1-17 to 1-13 win over Waterford, aided by a goal from substitute Tommy O'Connell.
O'Connell finished the game with 1-1, while Conor Lehane notched up 0-6 in front of a crowd of almost 3,000, as reported by the . They'll now await the winners of Clare and Limerick in the final on 12 January.
See Also: Balls.ie's Top 30 Irish Sports Moment Of 2019 (#10-1)
