Daniel Twomey’s reign as Newcestown hurling boss began with a 0-19 to 0-15 victory away to Na Piarsaigh.
The West Cork club led 0-11 to 0-8 at the break in this Red FM County Hurling League Division 2 clash and managed their advantage well to the finish.
Richard O’Sullivan top-scored with 0-10 (7f), while Colm Dinneen impressed with 0-3 from play, all in the opening half. Other scorers included Colm O’Donovan, Ciarán O’Donovan, Luke Meade, Jack Meade and Ciarán Hurley.
Division 2 Round-Up: Other Results
Valley Rovers began the season with a narrow 1-17 to 1-16 defeat away to Bride Rovers. Ballincollig enjoyed a comfortable victory over Ballymartle (2-23 to 0-12) as Stephen Wills and Cian O’Driscoll hit the net, while Kanturk got the better of Carrigaline, 3-22 to 1-11.
Lower Divisions: Action and Results
In Division 3, Bandon fell to a 1-16 to 1-14 loss against Lisgoold in Cloughduv on Monday night. Ballinhassig beat Courcey Rovers in a Carrigdhoun derby, 1-22 to 0-19. In the same division, Inniscarra got the better of Russell Rovers (0-21 to 1-14), while there were opening-day wins for Éire Óg and Blarney over Castlelyons and Fermoy respectively.
Division 6: Carbery Derby Ends in Draw
In Division 6, the Carbery derby between Ballinascarthy and Argideen Rangers ended all square at 0-15 to 1-12. Argideen led 0-10 to 0-4 at the break but Bal battled back in the second period.
The Timoleague club had scoring contributions from John Michael O’Callaghan (0-7, 5f), Charlie Twomey (1-0), Seán Walsh (0-3), Fergal Walsh and James Crowley. Bal’s scorers were captain Connall Cullinane (0-9, 2f), Donnagh O’Driscoll (0-3), Aidan O’Donovan, David Walsh and Cillian Cullinane.
Newly promoted to Division 6, Diarmuid Ó Mathúna began their season with a 4-19 to 3-14 loss against Aghada. The Castletownkenneigh club were up against a side that reached the county intermediate A semi-finals in 2025, so the gap in quality was always going to be difficult to bridge.
Kinsale began their campaign with a 2-21 to 1-16 victory over Mayfield, while there were also wins for Ballygiblin and Killavullen over Erin’s Own and Sarsfields’ second strings.
Division 7: Barryroe’s Comfortable Win
Division 7 saw Barryroe enjoy a comfortable 1-25 to 0-14 win against Killeagh’s seconds. Tomas Ó Buachalla scored 1-3 for the Sky Blues while Olan O’Donovan chipped in with 0-6 (3f).
Other scorers included Ryan O’Donovan and Adam McSweeney (0-3 each), Seán O’Riordan, Brian O’Donovan and Daniel O’Driscoll (0-2 each), along with Seán Holland, Killian Sheehy, Micheál Whelton and David O’Sullivan.
Kilshannig beat Meelin (1-22 to 1-13), while Passage West drew with Na Piarsaigh (2-12 to 0-18) in the other games.
Division 1: Sarsfields Fall to Glen Rovers
Elsewhere, Division 1 also produced some exciting clashes as county champions Sarsfields began with defeat at home to Glen Rovers, 1-21 to 0-20. Paudie Murray’s St Finbarr’s beat Blackrock 0-22 to 1-18, with Jack Cahalane hitting 0-2, while Midleton and Douglas got the better of Fr O’Neill’s and Killeagh.
In Division 5 – where Kilbrittain beat Midleton’s seconds – Tracton began with a 0-14 to 1