Limerick posted a predictably straightforward victory in this Allianz Hurling League Division One quarter-final on Saturday evening.

Derry’s Marty McCormack (Skoda Fabia R5) heads up the entry for Sunday’s Treaty Plant Hire Limerick Forest Rally, the second round of the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship.

Before last Sunday, no Limerick team had beaten Kilkenny in the Allianz League at Nowlan Park during Kyle Hayes’ lifetime.

When I took my seat in the stand in Nowlan Park yesterday, near the 45-metre line, I found myself beside a nice man from Clara. He was a quiet fella, who said very little, until he felt like making a point or asking a question. When Limerick made their final substitution in the 69th minute, the gentleman asked me who was the Limerick player being introduced. ‘Gearoid Hegarty,’ I said. ‘Jeez,’ he replied with an audible groan.

Another statement of intent from Na Piarsaigh but three injuries will give them food for thought ahead of a second successive Munster final on November 18.

Extending their unbeaten provincial run to 12 games, Na Piarsaigh cruised into a second successive Munster final with an emphatic win over Clonoulty-Rossmore but lost key men Shane Dowling and Ronan Lynch to injuries.

Limerick U21 manager Pat Donnelly was correct to say this performance won’t be sufficient to overcome Tipperary in the Munster semi-final on June 21.

Na Piarsaigh hurler Ronan Lynch is a notable omission from Limerick’s championship panel.

AS Ireland’s Grand Slam celebrations began at Twickenham on St Patrick’s Day, Na Piarsaigh and Cuala played out a thrilling draw in the All-Ireland Club hurling final at Croke Park.

There were some brilliant races at Cheltenham last week but Na Piarsaigh V Cuala was some stamina-sprint between two thoroughbreds, writes Anthony Daly.

Cathal King pauses when the question is asked.

When John Kiely announced his extended panel for the 2018 campaign, 10 of the 38 players listed were from the Na Piarsaigh club.

Slaughtneil’s Karl McKaigue has bemoaned the lack of a black card in hurling following Saturday’s All-Ireland club semi-final defeat to Na Piarsaigh.

Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) 3-15 Slaughtneil (Derry) 3-8: At half-time on Saturday afternoon, Shane O’Neill felt a familiar hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Na Piarsaigh remain on track for two AIB All-Ireland club SHC title successes in three seasons following a thrilling semi-final comeback win over brave Slaughtneil at Parnell Park.

Limerick’s John Kiely and Cork’s Ronan McCarthy are among those inter-county managers who may not be able to field players from their senior county championship-winning clubs in this year’s Allianz Leagues.

Overcoming the challenging and intricate route of the Carbery Navigation Trial in Leap, west Cork, the Lissarda/Drinagh duo of Donal Healy/Denis O’Donovan (Toyota Starlet) took a hard earned victory. 

Given the wealth of underage successes the club has enjoyed in recent years, the turnover in the Na Piarsaigh team shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Na Piarsaigh talisman Shane Dowling has been ruled out of their Munster club semi-final against Blackrock this Sunday.

I’ve said this numerous times already in relation to Limerick but they need to be patient now, writes Anthony Daly.

For the first time this summer, Limerick’s U21 hurlers were made to sweat.

Limerick 0-16 Cork 1-11: A bright note on an otherwise dank summer for Limerick.

Tipperary 1-21, Limerick 0-17: Of course it was unfair to expect Tipperary to click for a third consecutive game.

Limerick minor hurling manager Pat Donnelly says the county’s appearance in a fourth consecutive Munster minor final is proof positive that the underage academy established back in 2011 is working.

Ardscoil Rís 2-11 St Francis Rochestown 1-7: Two goals in a four-minute spell midway through the second-half propelled Ardscoil Rís into the penultimate round of the Harty Cup.

Ardscoil Rís Limerick 4-11

Dubliner Willie Coyne (Vauxhall Nova) emulated brother Noel by clinching the McLoughlin’s Industrial Flooring Irish Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park yesterday.

Last year’s champions Thurles CBS made it two wins from two in Group C of the Dr Harty Cup as they pulled away from Scoil na Tríonóide Naofa of Doon in the final quarter at Toomevara yesterday.

Harty Cup Quarter-Final