WARM favourites Newcastle West enjoyed a winning start to the defence of their Limerick Senior Football Championship title at the weekend.
Newcastle West won with a 3-7 to 1-11 defeat of near-neighbours Fr. Casey’s of Abbeyfeale in Tournafulla at the weekend.
Goals from Eoin Hurley, Emmet Rigter and Seán Hurley greatly helped Jimmy Lee’s side to an important victory.
Three-in-a-row seeking NCW’s next clash is with St. Kieran’s in Askeaton on Friday, 7.30pm.
Elsewhere in Group One, St. Kieran’s edged-out Oola (1-5 to 1-4) and Kildimo/Pallaskenry were runaway winners over Claughaun, 3-15 to 1-7.
In Group Two, fancied Adare bettered Monaleen (0-10 to 1-6); Galtee Gaels surprised Ballylanders (0-14 to 1-10) and Na Piarsaigh toppled Ballysteen, 2-8 to 0-7.
There is a complete round of fixtures next weekend, followed by a massive seven week break until the third round of action.
Mick Neville Park, with its by then spanking new covered stand, is due to host the County Final in early November.
Action in the Intermediate Championship is curtailed by the delayed entry into competition of St. Patrick’s, Crecora/Manister and Castlemahon, owing to the involvement with Limerick of Gearóid Hegarty, Cathal O’Neill and Séamus Flanagan, respectively.
Meanwhile, the death has occurred peacefully of John O’Grady (Mungret/St. Paul’s), who refereed the 1977 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final in which Cork beat Wexford at Croke Park.
He is survived by his wife Gemma, their children Henry and Colette and extended family.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
