PIHC | Intriguing results across the board with no team earning second successive win

The four games in Limerick’s second tier of hurling threw up some interesting results.

It is certainly all to play for in the Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship with no team maintaining a 100% record through two rounds.

Newcastle West, Glenroe and Effin all picked up first wins of the campaign while Bruff were held by Knockainey.

Interestingly, last year’s finalists Cappamore, are the only team without a point from the opening round. They started brilliantly against Newcastle West but were reeled in by the Magpies who picked up a maiden win of the campaign.

Cappamore dominated the opening exchanges and led 0-9 to 0-3 with ten to play in the half. But Newcastle West were able to get back into the game with a number of frees as they trailed 0-13 to 0-9 at the break.

But inside ten minutes, the lead had been evaporated and with Cappamore chasing a goal late on, it was Newcastle West who raised the green flag, Brian Foley finding the corner of the net for a 1-21 to 0-17 win.

Effin picked up their first win in the grade since 2016 as they held off Dromin Athlacca for a 1-17 to 0-14 win. Dromin Athlacca, who were winners in the first round, held a slender 0-9 to 0-8 lead at the break. Effin raced out of the traps, hitting three on the bounce and six of the first eight scores, including the crucial goal that gave them daylight.

Glenroe built on their opening day draw with a 2-21 to 1-18 win over Monaleen who were so impressive in round one. In a nip and tuck first half, both sides exchanged the lead with neither able to get fully on top. But with time in the red, Glenroe found the net for a four point half time lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

They kept Monaleen at arms length throughout the second half as a late goal saw off any hope of a comeback with a late consolation from the city side proved inconsequential.

Elsewhere, Knockainey and Bruff played out a 2-16 to 0-22 draw with the side in black getting their first points on the board. After putting Effin to the sword in the first round, Bruff couldn’t see off the challenge of Knockainey with the sides having to settle for a share of the spoils.

Bruff sit on top of the table on three points, ahead of Newcastle West and Glenroe on scoring difference. Monaleen, Dromin Athlacca and Effin are on two points, ahead of Knockainey with Cappamore propping up the table.

The action in the Premier Intermediate Championship continues this weekend with four more games.

Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Newcastle West 1-21 : 0-17 Cappamore

Effin 1-17 : 0-14 Dromin-Athlacca

Knockainey 2-16 : 0-22 Bruff

Glenroe 2-21 : 1-18 Monaleen