Cratloe too hot for champions to handle

Kilmurry-Ibrickane, champions for the past two seasons, were brought back down to earth at Cusack Park on Saturday when they succumbed to an impressive Cratloe by 0-11 to 0-4, in round one.

The holders trailed by 0-7 to 0-2 at the break and had no answer to a Cratloe outfit that caused the first upset of the championship. To add insult to injury, Kilmurry were reduced to 14-men when full-back Darren Hickey was dismissed in the 47th minute for a second bookable offence.

Cooraclare had to wait until very late to gain victory over Kilrush Shamrocks at Labasheeda on Saturday. But in the end they had three points to spare (0-11 to 0-8) in a tight game, that was level at eight points apiece with three minutes on the clock. Rory Donnelly twice and John Looney kicked late scores to secure the win.