IT'S hold-your-breath time in Newtownshandrum and Thurles Sarsfields for the next few days as both clubs sweat over the fitness of a couple of their top performers.

A LIMERICK publican used his experience as a rugby player to crash tackle a man who burst into his crowded bar and threatened him with what turned out to be a toy gun.

MOVES were underway last night to lessen the impact of the shock closure of Kantoher Chickens processing plant at Kileedy, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, with the loss of 138 jobs.

Newtownshandrum 5-10 Delanys 0-13

IT was tougher, tighter and didn't have the pretty hurling of the drawn game, but at Semple Stadium on Saturday, Newtownshandrum finally ended the dogged challenge of O'Loughlin Gaels of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland club hurling championship semi-final.

JOHNNY PILKINGTON will be available to play with Birr in Sunday’s AIB Leinster club hurling final against Kilkenny champions O’Loughlin Gaels in Portlaoise.

Newtownshandrum 0-15 Toomevara 1-9

Newtownshandrum 0-17 Blackrock 1-9

CALLING on all their experience and brilliantly marshalled by outstanding centre-back Pat Mulcahy, 14-man Newtownshandrum edged out Midleton, 1-10 to 0-12 in Castletownroche on Saturday in an opening round permanent tsb Cork County SHC contest.

Blackrock 1-14 Newtownshandrum 0-12