Pa Bourke stars as Thurles Sarsfields off to a flyer
The former county man netted for Sarsfields in the fifth minute and chalked up 1-6 in the first half as Sars built up an unassailable 2-10 to 0-2 lead by the interval.
Borris fought back and had a Ciaran Cowan goal after 46 minutes but never threatened to catch their rivals.
A downside for Sarsfields was a thigh injury for county man Ronan Maher, but there was a welcome return for Michael Cahill after injury. Borrisoleigh were without county defender Paddy Stapleton and lost captain Sean McCormack early in the first half.
Holycross-Ballycahill enjoyed a 0-19 to 1-8 win over Toomevara.
County defender Cathal Barrett led the Holycross attack and scored 0-5 from play. Mark McCormack got the Toome goal after 15 minutes as Holycross led 0-6 to 1-2 at the break. Holycross shot five unanswered points at the start of the second half and pushed on for victory.
Eoin Kelly’s class showed as Mullinahone fashioned a 0-17 to 0-13 win over a fancied Templederry Kenyons at Templetuohy.
Mullinahone led 0-11 to 0-7 at the break, and maintained that advantage to the finish. Kelly scored 0-9 for Mullinahone who have his former county colleague, Paul Curran as a player-manager.
Newly promoted Clonakenny battled gamely but lost 2-15 to 0-18 to Ballingarry at Boherlahan. Portroe held on for a 1-15 to 0-16 win over Lorrha, and Carrick Swans defeated Moneygall 0-16 to 0-10.
In the SFC, champions Clonmel Commercials were 1-14 to 1-6 winners over Killenaule. Cahir defeated Upperchurch-Drombane 2-11 to 0-13. Ballyporeen accounted for JK Brackens 1-10 to 0-10; Drom-Inch got the better of Ardfinnan 1-12 to 0-8. Arravale Rovers drew with Kilsheelan 1-14 to 3-8; and Aherlow Gaels edged out Moyle Rovers 0-10 to 0-9.
