THERE were some impressive opening round wins in the top tier of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship for Doon, Na Piarsaigh, and Ahane.
Doon squeezed by Kilmallock, 2-20 to 3-16, at the Gaelic Grounds.
Ahead 1-1 to 0-10 at the interval, Derek McGrath’s Doon worked seriously hard to keep dogged Kilmallock at arm’s length for a fiercely contested closing half, and survived by the minimal of margins.
Darragh Stapleton (1-1) and Chris Thomas grabbed goals for the winners, for whom Adam English struck 11 points.
At the same venue, holders Na Piarsaigh had the measure of Patrickswell, 0-23 to 1-17.
The sides were tied at 0-11 apiece at the break.
It was in the home stretch that Shane O’Neill’s side kicked for home, with lovely scores through the likes of Ronan Lynch (top-scorer, 0-8), Will Henn, Conor Boylan, and Kevin Downes.
Three-time All-Star Tom Morrissey delivered a match-winning performance, and a wonderful 1-8, as Ahane barely overcame Mungret St. Paul’s, 1-17 to 0-19, at Claughaun.
It was level on 50 minutes, only for Ahane to prove the more experienced outfit in the closing stages.
In Group Two, there were victories for Kildimo/Pallaskenry (2-21 to 0-19 v Adare), Dromin-Athlacca (2-23 to 3-14 v South Liberties) and Ballybrown (0-22 to 1-16 v Monaleen).
Round two takes place across next weekend.
