DAMIAN CULLENperuses the All-Ireland

Kilkenny beat Cork by 12 points, with their minor side hammering Galway by 19. But even those beatings pale when compared to other hurling results at the weekend. In the All- Ireland minor B quarter- finals, Westmeath edged Wicklow, 7-26 to 0-7. A difference of 40 points, which was bettered by Meath, who overcame Mayo in the same competition – 6-28 to two points. A winning margin of 44.

One rule for the big boys, and one for everybody else

Nice to see Tyrone and Kerry have issued a joint communique (along with perennial complainers about the current system, Dublin) illustrating exactly how the provincial football winners will, from now on, be spared the annoying situation of not being allowed contest the All-Ireland semi-final every season.

Joking aside, with Tyrone confirming at the weekend that they will be putting a motion to congress to call for an extra chance for the provincial winners, the moaning from the big counties who find they are not guaranteed a seat at the main table is getting too much to bear. It is noteworthy that Connacht champions Roscommon were not whinging after they were beaten by Cork.

And if congress decides not to bow to the big boys, we presume Tyrone, Kerry and Dublin will opt out of the provincial championship at the earliest opportunity next year to maximise their All-Ireland chances.

Build 'em higher

We wait to see what the view from the Hill 16 will be like when the new barriers are built. Yesterday some Cork supporters were offering to begin building the barrier there and then.

It remains to be seen, however, will the new fence reduce the number of accidents, or just the number of spectators that make it on to the field.

Some will surely look at a nine-foot barrier as merely another challenge.

Still, the new uniform to be issued to all Croke Park stewards looks like it might do the trick.