NA PIARSAIGH have moved to the helm of Group One in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship following a comfortable 2-25 to 1-13 defeat of Ahane in Claughaun.
The eventual winners were nine points to the good, 0-14 to 0-5, at the turnaround.
Usual suspects Kevin Downes (0-8), Adrian Breen (1-3), Ronan Lynch (0-5) and Dylan Lynch (1-2) were in fine scoring fettle for Shane O’Neill’s outfit, while Ahane relied heavily on Tom Morrissey (0-11).
The tie was noteworthy for the return from injury of Na Piarsaigh’s Mike Casey.
Elsewhere, Adam English fired over an incredible 13 points for Doon in a thrilling 0-22 to 2-16 draw with Kilmallock in Knocklong.
English is now on an impressive 1-27 for the C’ship.
Kilmallock held the early advantage after Killian Hayes and Oisín O’Reilly slammed home goals, but once Doon settled it was tit-for-tat for the rest of an enjoyable contest.
O’Reilly also accounted for the late levelling point.
And, Patrickswell are close to the dreaded drop following a 1-18 to 2-9 loss against fellow parishioners Ballybrown at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.
Winning captain Aidan O’Connor – last season’s top scorer – gave another all-round impressive performance, emerging with a hefty ten points to his credit.
Ross Griffin too caught the eye with a tally of 1-1.
In Group Two, Monaleen had the measure of city rivals Mungret St. Paul’s, 2-23 to 1-19, in Claughaun.
The winners flashed home goals inside a minute in the third quarter from Donnacha Ó Dálaigh and Joseph Fitzgerald. The pair emerged with a healthy 1-4 apiece.
Elsewhere, the ageless Wayne McNamara – onetime captain of Limerick – made an appearance as Adare squeezed past neighbours Kildimo-Pallaskenry, 0-18 to 0-16, in Rathkeale.
Willie Griffin struck an excellent nine points for the victors.
And, Dromin Athlacca (DA) and Newcastle West couldn’t be separated, 0-14 apiece, after a fiercely tight battle in Croagh.
The late equaliser for DA came through Shane Fitzgibbon.
