For the second year in a row, Offaly have brought an end to Limerick’s promotion aspirations in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League.

Galway 2-22 Offaly 1-13: Walsh Cup: A nasty finger injury to Joe Canning overshadowed Galway’s drubbing of Offaly in Tullamore yesterday.

Birr 0-16 St Rynagh’s 1-07

Kilcormac/Killoughey 2-16 St Rynagh’s 2-12

Brian Cody welcomed John Tennyson back for his first game in a Kilkenny jersey since the 2010 All-Ireland final as they annihilated Offaly in a challenge last evening to mark the official opening of Clara’s impressive new facilities.

Limerick 2-16 Offaly 4-10

Having let a nine point lead slip during a cruel loss to Wexford the previous week, Ollie Baker heaved a sigh of relief after his Offaly side survived a spirited Antrim revival in this Allianz League Division 1B encounter at O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday.

When the final whistle sounded, Wexford supporters paused before a huge cheer greeted their dramatic comeback having pulled off one of the great escapes at Wexford Park yesterday.

Offaly cantered to a comprehensive 12 points victory in this lack lustre Allianz NHL Division 1B opening round encounter at O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday as Laois never recovered from the dismissal of Michael McEvoy in the 21st minute.

A magnificent 16-point haul by full-forward Joe Bergin helped Ollie Baker’s Offaly retain their grip on the Bord na Mona Walsh Shield following a hard-earned extra-time victory over the students of DIT at O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday.

THIRD-LEVEL institution Cork IT has signed an agreement with the Cork county board which will see Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s Cork senior hurling panel base their training sessions at the campus in Bishopstown for the 2012 season.

A SECOND-HALF goal from debutant Shane Maughan put Galway on the road to victory in the opening FBD League tie of the season in Ballyhaunis last night to ensure a winning start to Alan Mulholland’s reign in charge of the Tribesmen.

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

“I’M delighted with the win. We got a good beating here last year and the relegation end of things has been put to bed at least,” enthused Dublin manager Anthony Daly after his charges defeated 14-man Offaly in O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday and preserved their impressive unbeaten start to the Allianz Hurling League.

Offaly 1-13 Dublin 2-23, Tullamore

Cork 1-20 Offaly 1-15, Pairc Ui Chaoimh

The hurlers of Carlow and Offaly will have to meet again to decide the Walsh Shield title after today's game at Dr Cullen park was abandoned due to a serious injury to David Kenny in extra-time.

PAUL MURPHY’S early season training regime was very different to that normally undertaken by Kilkenny hurlers.

AN Taoiseach Brian Cowen performed the official opening of Lusmagh’s & new clubhouse yesterday evening.

TOP-GUNS John Gardiner and Jerry O’Connor have been given starting places on the Cork team for next Sunday’s crunch Allianz Division One NHL clash with Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

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.

WRETCHED conditions for hurling in Newtownshandrum last night but for UCC there was cause to cheer as they collected honours in the Ulster Bank Higher Education Division 1 Hurling League final.

Haydock 1.pm results: