Kilmallock and Monaleen make winning starts in Limerick SHC

Kilmallock got their Limerick senior hurling championship campaign off to a winning start by defeating Patrickswell on a 0-23 to 0-18 scoreline in Newcastlewest yesterday evening.

Shane O’Brien led the way for the victors with 0-10 over the hour and, after a dominant opening quarter, they’d hold a doubles scores lead before the points of county stars Aaron Gillane and Diarmaid Byrnes (two frees) trimmed Patrickswell’s deficit to 0-14 to 0-9 come half-time.

O’Brien sent over three early second-half point to push out the south Limerick side’s lead again, but the centre-forward would be dismissed come the 45th minute after picking up a second yellow card.

Patrickwell looked to make the most of their numerical advantage, as Gillane (0-12) sent over frees which helped cut the difference to four, but scores at the other end from Oisín O'Reilly and Kevin O'Donnell ensured the opening victory for Kilmallock in the end.

In Fedamore, Monaleen got up and running early in Group 2 by inflicting a 1-20 to 0-18 loss on Adare.

Limerick senior Donnacha O'Dalaigh rifled in the game’s only goal midway through the first-half as Monaleen went on to hold a 1-12 to 0-5 lead at the break.

Adare would have an improved showing in the second-half which saw them narrowing the deficit to hour points, with Willie Griffin (0-12) to the fore for them, but a Matt Fitzgerald free and a Eoghan O'Driscoll made sure the city side got over the line.