GALWAY concluded their championship preparations when a late goal from substitute Eanna Ryan sealed a six-point win at Athenry on Saturday in a game which was played over three 25-minute periods.

THE final round of games in the two top divisions of the Allianz Hurling League this weekend and plenty still to play for.

THE chances of the Fermanagh footballers’ impasse being resolved quickly rests on the outcome of a meeting of the county board’s management committee on Monday.

LIMERICK’S unblemished record in their new environs of Division 2 of the Allianz NHL was maintained at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday and they remain on course for the lucrative rewards of promotion and a final placing.

UL 1-17 Limerick IT 2-11

THIS year’s Fitzgibbon Cup final will be a battle between two Limerick institutions after LIT edged out UCC in an enthralling semi-final at the Waterford IT Sports Campus in Carriganore yesterday.

LAST March when Limerick IT and NUI Galway met in the Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final in Dangan, they conjured up a spellbinding clash that yielded 49 scores over 80 minutes of pulsating action.

CORK manager Denis Walsh has introduced defensive newcomers Stephen McDonnell and Mark Ellis to his team for their Allianz Division 1 Hurling League match with Offaly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday. Glen Rovers player McDonnell gets the nod at right corner-back while Millstreet hurler Ellis will line out at centre-back.

LIMERICK IT were deserving victors in this entertaining Fitzgibbon Cup tie at Belfield yesterday, but UCD will look on it as a mission accomplished too.

“IT’S not enjoyment, it’s relief!”

SOUTH Limerick divisional outfit Emmetts will sample the grandeur of county final day for the first time since 1963 after triumphing in yesterday’s Limerick SHC semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds.

BRENDAN MAHER will make his starting championship debut for Tipperary in Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Limerick, after being drafted into the team by manager Liam Sheedy last night.

Limerick 2-18 Dublin 1-17

Dual player Mark O'Riordan has been named in the Limerick team for Sunday's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final tussle with Dublin in Thurles (throw-in 2pm).

Limerick 0-20 Laois 1-14

Limerick manager Justin McCarthy has made three changes to the team that beat Wexford last weekend for this Saturday's All-Ireland SHC Phase 3 qualifier against Laois in Thurles.

Limerick 0-17 Waterford 0-25

TIPPERARY and Limerick received massive pre-championship boosts last night as cousins Eoin Kelly and Ollie Moran made their first appearances of the 2009 season for their respective counties in a senior hurling challenge.

FORMER All Star Paul Kelly is set to return to Tipperary colours this evening following a six-week injury lay-off.

HENRY SHEFFLIN returns to the Kilkenny side for his first appearance of the year in tomorrow’s NHL showdown against Tipperary. Shefflin comes in at centre-forward in place of Willie O’Dwyer, while Ballyhale Shamrocks clubmates TJ Reid and Michael Fennelly are also drafted into the team.

CLARE’S strong second-half showing in the Gaelic Grounds yesterday just fell short of redeeming a situation where they conceded three goals in a short period before the break.

Clare 4-12 Limerick 1-16, Semple Stadium

CLARE senior hurling manager Mike McNamara has made one change to the team which defeated Waterford in the opening round for Sunday’s Munster Championship semi-final against Limerick at Semple Stadium.

Limerick 5-11 Waterford 2-15, Croke Park

Limerick manager Richie Bennis has opted for a new look starting fifteen for Sunday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Waterford at Croke Park (throw-in 4pm).

Clare 1-16 Limerick 1-23

Damien Reale will return to captain Limerick in Sunday's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Clare (Croke Park, throw-in 2pm).

Limerick 0-22 Tipperary 2-13

Mike Fitzgerald, Brian Begley and Sean O'Connor are the three new inclusions in the Limerick team to face Tipperary in Sunday's second Munster SHC semi-final replay, Gaelic Grounds, throw-in 3.30pm.

Four players have shrugged off injuries to be named in the Limerick team to face Tipperary in Sunday's Munster SHC semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds (throw-in 2pm).

Cork 0-19 Limerick 0-18

Ollie Moran, Stephen Lucey and Brian Geary have been slotted back into the Limerick side for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Cork (Thurles, throw-in 4.15pm).

Paudie O'Dwyer and Mike O'Brien have been given starting spots in the Limerick team for tomorrow evening's All-Ireland SHC Group B qualifier clash with Dublin (Gaelic Grounds, throw-in 7.30pm).

TJ Ryan will resume his captaincy of the Limerick hurling team for tomorrow night's must-win All-Ireland qualifier clash with Offaly (Tullamore, throw-in 7pm).

Clare 2-21 Limerick 0-10

Tipperary 0-22 Limerick 2-12

BARRY FOLEY is a shock selection on the Limerick team to play Kilkenny in the Allianz National Hurling League final at Thurles, on Sunday.

Former dual player Stephen Lucey has made the Limerick line-up for Sunday's NHL Division One semi-final clash with Clare (Semple Stadium, throw-in 1.30pm).

Limerick 0-21 Waterford 0-14

Patrickswell goalkeeper Brian Murray has regained a starting spot in the Limerick side for tomorrow's Allianz NHL Division 1B tussle with Antrim (Casement Park, throw-in 2pm).

2001 All-Star Mark Foley will make his first start of the National League when Limerick line out against Galway on Sunday (Pearse Stadium, throw-in 2.30pm).