Kilmallock and Ahane cruise to Limerick SHC round one wins

KILMALLOCK and Ahane earned big wins from Saturday's Bon Secours Hospital Limerick SHC Group 1 fixtures to get their respective campaigns off to a flying start.

The Balbec saw off a depleted Doon outfit on a 3-22 to 0-12 scoreline in Bruff. First half goals by Robbie Egan and Oisin O'Reilly helped them into a 2-13 to 0-4 lead at the break. Adam English accounted for all four of Doon's point in the opening half hour.

O'Reilly added a third goal in the second half for Kilmallock as they cruised to victory. Doon's hopes weren't helped due to the major injury issues in recent weeks that have seen Richie English, Mikey O'Brien, Chris Thomas and Tommy Hayes all ruled out.

Elsewhere, Ahane put in an impressive display to see off Kildimo-Pallaskenry by 2-22 to 2-16 in an entertaining contest at Cappamore.

Limerick star Tom Morrissey finished the evening with a scoring haul of 0-12, five of which came from play. Morrissey operated at full forward and was ably assisted by corner forward Dan Minehan, who had 1-3 notched up by half time.

Kildimio-Pallaskenry hit the front after just two minutes with a Shaun Barry penalty after Kyle Hayes was dragged to the ground after a galloping run.

Ahane's response was swift with Ronan Fox's goal and a Morrissey free putting them one in front. It was nip and tuck for the following five minutes but Ahane sailed into a fhree-point lead with Morrissey and Minehan nabbing a couple of points each.

That lead was then at seven when Minehan struck for their second goal at 19 minutes and Ahane picked up the pace in the latter part of the half to go in 2-12 to 1-6 in front.

Ahane held a nine-point advantage when Kildimi-Pallaskenry got hope of a comeback after Barry's long range free sailed all the way to the net. However, that goal was not enough to mount a serious comeback and Ahane earned a six-point winning margin.