Limerick 3-14 Clare 2-15: Willie Griffin played a captain’s part in Thurles as Limerick’s intermediate hurlers got a memorable day off to a winning start.

Limerick hurling manager TJ Ryan has given three debuts for Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final clash with Clare in Semple Stadium (throw-in 4pm).

Cork 6-13 Limerick 2-18

Newtownshandrum 1-19 UCC 0-21

Cork SHC Divs/Colleges

UCC 1-20 UCD 1-15

UCC 5-25 St Patrick’s/Mater Dei 1-6

FITZGIBBON CUP:

UCC 0-14 WIT 0-9

Cork 2-19 UCC 1-14

UCC 3-28 Mary Immaculate Col 2-14

Adare 2-17 Doon 2-15

Adare 2-24 Ballybrown 1-13

Sarsfields 1-21 UCC 5-09

Limerick 0-15 Tipperary 0-20

UCC 2-17 Mary Immaculate College 2-12

This was a tame defence of their Munster U-21 hurling title by champions Limerick at the rain-sodden Gaelic Grounds last night.

For those of you nostalgic for the way hurling was played before the days of tactics and game plans, for those of you who long for the time when you got real value for money at the turnstile, the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick is the place to be this evening, as Limerick face Tipperary in the first semi-final of the Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 hurling championship.

Holders Limerick have named a powerful side for tomorrow’s Munster U21 semi-final clash with Tipperary at the (Gaelic Grounds 7.30pm).

Tipperary cruised to victory over a disappointing Limerick side in the Munster IHC quarter-final in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh on Saturday.

Limerick manager John Allen has handed championship debuts to Conor Allis and Shane Dowling for Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final against Tipperary in Semple Stadium.

After claiming a dramatic late draw last week, UCC seized their chance in last night’s replay in Cloughduv to prevail against Carbery in the divisional-colleges section of the Cork SHC.

A last-gasp extra-time point by Whitechurch player Sean Keane salvaged a draw for UCC in a highly entertaining opening round tie in the divisions-colleges section of the Cork SHC in Cloughduv last night.

There was a palpable sense of relief around the Mardyke after UCC booked their berth in the semi-final of the Fitzgibbon Cup, prevailing in a high quality quarter-final encounter against UCD.

UCC earned a much-coveted home Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final by remaining cool under pressure to secure victory at Carnmore.

UCC issued a powerful statement of intent in their opening Fitzgibbon Cup Group D clash in freezing conditions at the Mardyke last night as they crushed the challenge of DCU.

UCC 3-14 UL 0-12

Galway 0-22 Limerick 2-14

IN perfect summer conditions, a powerful Limerick side proved too strong for Clare in Cusack Park yesterday as they booked their place against Cork in next Wednesday’s Munster Under-21 hurling final.

FORMER Clare senior star Niall Gilligan is a major injury doubt for the county’s intermediate team who face Limerick in tonight’s Munster IHC final in Cusack Park, Ennis at 7.30pm.

LIMERICK will contest the Munster IHC final on July 6 against either Cork or Clare after beating Waterford in yesterday’s semi-final in Semple Stadium.

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

EOIN CONWAY was the scoring hero as Cork narrowly prevailed against Limerick after extra-time in the Munster IHC semi-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

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.

LIMERICK boss Ger Hegarty has made two changes for tonight’s crucial Munster MHC play-off with Waterford at the Gaelic Grounds, 6.30pm.

AFTER a lifetime of service on the playing fields, Brian Lohan has turned his attention to management.