There was nothing to choose between two of hurling's big-hitters at the Gaelic Grounds today. The National Hurling League Division 1B clash between Limerick and Kilkenny ended in a stalemate at 1-11 to 0-14, with a penalty from Limerick’s Mark Keane the only goal of the game.
Joe Deane managed a personal haul of 1-07 before leaving the pitch early as Cork dismissed Down comprehensively on a scoreline of 3-25 to 0-09.
In the National Football League there were Division 1A wins for Kerry, Mayo and Tyrone.
Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper was again the hero for the Kingdom, scoring a last minute point to see off a valiant challenge by Monaghan in Scotstown.
All-Ireland champions Tyrone were a little more convincing on their way to a 2-15 - 0-12 win over Offaly in Birr.
Mayo continued their impressive start to the season but had to weather a brave Fermanagh fightback before winning 0-19 to 1-14 in Castlebar.
Last night Cork claimed their first points of the new football season with a late win over a 14-man Dublin side at Pairc Ui Rinn.
Heading into the final stages the Division 1A game was tied at 1-8 apiece but points from Gary Murphy, David Niblock and James Masters ensured the homeside frustrated their guests again.
Dublin pointed twice themselves in the dying moments through Alan Brogan and Ciaran Whelan but ultimately fell short.
Paul Caffrey’s side saw Denis Bastic sent-off after receiving two yellow cards.
Results in Full
NFL 1A
Monaghan 0-13 Kerry 1-11
Offaly 0-12 Tyrone 2-15
Mayo 0-19 Fermanagh 1-14
NFL 1B
Laois 1-17 Down 1-12
Wexford 1-15 Meath 2-11
Derry 1-14 Armagh 2-07
Kildare 0-08 Galway 0-09
NFL 2A
Limerick v Clare
Roscommon 1-14 Carlow 1-10
London 0-04 Donegal 1-21
Leitrim 1-07 Longford 2-04
NFL 2B
Cavan 1-15 Sligo 2-09
Tipperary 0-09 Louth 1-11
Westmeath 2-11 Antrim 0-09
Wicklow 3-07 Waterford 0-06
NHL 1A
Cork 3-25 Down 0-09
Waterford 0-14 Clare 1-16
NHL 1B
Antrim 1-07 Tipperary 1-11
Limerick 1-11 Kilkenny 0-14
NHL 2A
Dublin 4-19 Roscommon 1-05
NHL 3A
Donegal 1-13 Monaghan 1-05