Mooncoin 0-13
Slieverue 0-12

The hurling season kicked off for both sides on Friday evening with Mooncoin just about shading a tough and competitive encounter. The home side were quick into their stride thanks to some early frees from Adrian Rocket, however Mooncoin responded with points from Eamon Mackey and Sean Wall. The sides were inseparable up until the half time break as the sides traded points with Brendan Coady, Niall Walsh and Liam Knox registering for Slieverue while Thomas Kearns, Keith Kirwin and Kevin Law were on target for Mooncoin. The home side were ahead by 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

The second half remained competitive throughout however Mooncoin managed to gain the upper hand thanks to a pair of points from Alan Walsh. Brendan Coady was keeping Sleiverue in touch from frees while Paul Knox chipped in with a point from play. However the introduction of Barry Purcell brought new life to the Mooncoin attack as he managed to register a couple of points in as many minutes before Ollie Dunphy strode purposefully forward to add his name to the score sheet. Brendan Coady closed the gap and ensured a tense finish but Mooncoin held on for victory.

The home side had a series of good performances with Brian Kirwin, Adrian Rockett and Martin Knox sound in defence. Cian Tyler and David Walsh worked hard at midfield while up front Niall Walsh and Brendan Coady always looked threatening. Mooncoin had good performances throughout the field with Paddy Kinsella in goal marshalling his defence effectively. Ollie Dunphy and Johnny Phelan were strong when needed in defence, while Sean Wall grafted hard while Michael Grace showed great skill when in possession. Grace can look forward to an All Ireland Colleges Final and having played a gruelling game some 24 hours previous thankfully showed no signs of injury by the end. The attack functioned well at times with all the forwards apart from Pat Hogan registering a score. Hogan broke up much of the play which was beneficial for Keith Kirwin, Kevin Law and Thomas Kearns who took their chances when they came their way, while the introduction of Barry Purcell will give the selectors a few problems for the next day.

Scorers:
Mooncoin: T. Kearns (0-3 2f); B. Purcell & A. Walsh (0-2); O. Dunphy, S. Wall,
K. Kirwin, K. Law, E. Mackey (0-1); M. Purcell (0-1f)
Sleverue: B. Coady (0-5 4f); A. Rockett (0-3 2f & 165): N. Walsh (0-2);
L. Knox & P. Knox (0-1)

Teams:
Mooncoin: P. Kinsella; J. Phelan; A. Hennebry; O. Dunphy; S. Walsh; B. Quinn;
K. Phelan; S. Wall; M. Grace; K. Kirwin; P. Hogan; A. Walsh; K. Law; E. Mackey;
T. Kearns
Subs C. Daly; L. Hennebry; B. Purcell; B. Mackey; S. Walsh
Slieverue: G. Quilty; A. Atkins; M. Knox; M. Forristal; M. Haberlin; B. Kirwin;
A Rockett; C. Tyler; D. Walsh; P. Knox; D. O’Brien; N. Walsh; L. Knox; N. Knox;
B. Coady.
Subs: P. Walsh; S. Roche; N. Wall; R. Hogan

Referee: J.Fitzgeralld (Piltown)