IT may not have been a footballing classic but few in Monaleen will complain after successfully defending their Limerick SFC crown at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday.

ROUTINE business for Dr Crokes in their opening provincial foray yesterday.

MOYLE ROVERS had their reign as Tipperary SF champions ended by a Noel McGrath inspired Loughmore-Castleiney in yesterday’s semi-final at Leahy Park, Cashel.

THE Limerick SFC reign of Dromcollogher-Broadford is over as they crashed out at the semi-final stage at the hands of Monaleen.

Offaly 1-19 Limerick 1-13

The depth of Justin McCarthy's already understrength panel will be severely tested when Limerick take on Offaly in Saturday's All-Ireland SHC phase 2 qualifier in Tullamore (throw-in 7pm).

Nine players in Limerick's selected starting line-up will make their Championship debuts this Sunday when they take on Cork in the Munster SHC semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh (throw-in 4pm).

LIMERICK boss Justin McCarthy has handed out nine championship debuts for Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final against Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and has only been able to call on three of the team that started last August’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat against Tipperary due to the hurling crisis that has raged in the county since the end of last season.

Offaly 2-17 Limerick 3-13

Kilmallock clubman Bryan O'Sullivan will captain a depleted Limerick team for their National Hurling League opener against Galway in Kilmallock on Sunday (throw-in 2.30pm).

JJ McHugh and Philip Russell have both been included in the Laois side for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Galway (O'Moore Park, throw-in 7pm).

Limerick 3-15 Laois 1-13, Nenagh

Laois 4-15 Kerry 4-9, Gaelic Grounds

Wexford's good run in the Walsh Cup competition continued at Rathdowney today when they put paid to Laois' hopes of progression to the final thanks to a 2-22 to 1-14 win.

John Brophy hit the match-winning point in the 68th-minute as Laois gave the Dublin hurlers an early season shock at Rathdowney.

Damien Fox's reign as Laois hurling manager got off to a very satisfactory start as the midlanders ended Down's Walsh Cup hopes with a 2-15 to 1-9 defeat at Rathdowney.

Mayo 0-12 Galway 1-8

Offaly 2-12 Laois 0-08

Kilkenny 1-26 Laois 1-13

THE GAA confirmed yesterday that this year’s All-Ireland junior and intermediate hurling club finals will be played at Croke Park for the first time.

Leinster 0-20 Ulster 0-18 (after extra time)

St Kieran’s 2-10 St Senan’s 1-12

BY Wednesday morning Mick O’Dwyer’s Laois selection of the night before had more holes picked in it than the plot of a Jeffrey Archer novel.

Laois 1-23 Antrim 1-15

Patrickswell 4-12 Ballybrown 1-9

Monaleen 2-9 Ballylanders 2-3

Limerick 1-13 Waterford 0-10

SENIOR players Seanie Buckley, Pat Ahern and Johnny McCarthy are included in the Limerick team to play Waterford in the Munster U21 FC semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday.

St Brendan’s 1-12 St Fachtna’s 1-9

Laois 0-14 Waterford 1-19

Waterford boss Justin McCarthy has to plan without the services of star trio Ken McGrath, Paul Flynn and Tony Browne for today's NHL Division 1A encounter with Laois at O'Moore Park.

Laois manager Paudie Butler has made two changes in attack following last weekend's narrow defeat by Clare.

Laois manager Paudie Butler has had the luxury of being able to pick a fully fit team for today's visit to Ennis for the National Hurling League Division 1A opener against Clare.

Laois manager Paudie Butler has had the luxury of being able to pick a fully fit team for Saturday's visit to Ennis for the National Hurling League opener against Clare.

Dublin 2-13 Mayo 1-15

Limerick include five senior panelists for their Erin Munster U21 hurling semi-final clash with Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds tonight.

Hugh Kenny's Wicklow failed to repeat their league win over Derry as Paddy Bradley starred in Aughrim this afternoon, hitting a goal and eight points in the Oak Leaf's 1-15 to 1-10 Bank of Ireland SFC qualifier first-round success.

Half-time scores in today's first qualifying round SFC matches:

DEFENDING champions Tipperary have left a vacancy at corner forward for tonight’s Munster MHC semi-final against Limerick as they wait for fitness reports on two players who are in line for the position.

Kerry 0-14 Tyrone 1-13

David Ryan, the former Irish Assistants' Champion from the Cork Club at Little Island, swept to the top of the leaderboard at Shannon in the first round of the €22,860 Dr William Flynn Memorial pro-am that is sponsored by Shell.

Shane O'Grady upstaged everyone in yesterday's pro-am tournamant at The Curragh by walking in at the death with a six-under-par 66 to snatch the winner's cheque after three players were poised to split the loot.