City teams shine on bright opening weekend in Kilkenny

Mullinavat and Erin's Own players tussle during the Kilkenny SHL Group B match at UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday

They may have been played in near-empty grounds, but there was nothing quiet about the first weekend of senior hurling action in Kilkenny.

It was honours even in UPMC Nowlan Park on Friday as the clash of two All-Ireland champions ended all square. Ballyhale Shamrocks, under new manager James O’Connor, shared the spoils with intermediate champions Tullaroan on a 2-18 to 1-21 scoreline.