Moran is back in training for Limerick

THERE was encouraging news for Limerick hurlers ahead of next Sunday’s championship showdown against Waterford, when Ollie Moran put in some light training with the panel in Kilmallock over the weekend.

The Ahane player broke his index finger at Páirc Uí Rinn a week earlier.

Manager Dave Keane said it was too early yet to make any decision on Moran.

Damien Reale and Donncha Sheehan, both injured while assisting their respective clubs in the county senior football championship, will, according to Keane, be available for selection, but there are still doubts about Ciaran Carey with a hamstring problem.

Tickets for the semi-final will be on sale from midweek.

Athea 0-11, Gerald Griffins 0-9

WHAT a start to the Limerick senior football championship for newly promoted Athea, who took over leadership of their group with a deserved victory over neighbours Gerald Griffins, at Newcastle West.

The opening quarter was low-key, with Athea’s Neilus Hunt, Mick Hayes and Ger Ahern exchanging points with Dave Noonan (2) and Padraig O’Brien. Gerald Griffins lost their way for a period, until Declan White and James Collins fired the winners in front 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.

Damien Reidy edged Griffins that bit closer, but Hunt and Tom Mullane generally held the initiative over Sean Lynch and Reidy in midfield.

Ger and Pat Ahern, together with White, made it double scores at 0-10 to 0-5, but Griffins found a spring in their step and three unanswered points from Dave Noonan ensured a close finale.

Athea responded with a point by keeper Tony Enright. Sean Lynch’s reply came too late to change matters.

Scorers: Athea: G. Ahern 0-3, J. Collins, D. White 0-2 each, T. Enright, N. Hunt, M. Hayes, P. Ahern 0-1 each.

Gerald Griffins:T.D. Noonan 0-6, P.O’Brien, S. Lynch, D. Reidy 0-1 each.

ATHEA: T. Enright; J. Herbert, P. Woulfe, M. Ahern, P. Collins, S. Ahern, J. Vaughaun; N. Hunt, T. Mullane; J. Collins, D. White, G. Ahern, M. Hayes, P. Ahern, B. Ahern.

GERALD GRIFFINS: T. Andrews; P. Mullane, Denis Reidy, S. McCoy, P. Ambrose, M. Cummane, Padraig O’Brien; S. Lynch, Damien Reidy; T.O’Brien, Pat O’Brien, D. Noonan, S. Cummane, B. Herbert.

Referee: H. Ryan (Askeaton).