Beautiful summer sunshine, an excellent playing surface and the clash of the ash. Yes it was great to be back in Pairc Shileain on Sunday morning and again that evening as both our Senior and Junior B hurlers finally got their seasons underway. While results may not have went our way there was a great sense of hope and optimim amongst those present that the good times and normal life are very close to a permanent return and that Covid restrictions will be consigned to the history books. Onfield action was lively in both encounters. The Blues threatened to run riot early on in the Senior game as they led by seven after the opening quarter. A Jordan Moloney goal provided the spark for a second quarter revival and the lead was reduced to one at the short whistle (0-11 to 1-7). But the Sars were fastest out of the traps again after the tea as they goaled with their first attack and extened their lead to six by the water break. A goal from substitute Darragh Doyle halved the deficit with ten to go but Sarsfields finished the stronger to runout winners on a 1-23 to 2-14 scoreline. Home for the spuds and an afternoon nap before Knock came knocking for the opening round of the Junior B League. For anyone with concerns over the current state of hurling have no fears at Junior B level. Direct hurling is the order of the day here and from one such delivery Knock landed the only major of the opening half to leave them four up at the break (1-8 to 0-7). Points from Paddy Delaney (0-2), Martin Bergin, James Moore (0-3) and Brian Roche (0-3) kept us in touch before two final quarter majors saw Knock lead by seven. Points from Nicky Madden, Rhys Loughnane and Eddie Bergin were added to by a Bergin goal but alas it wasn't to be as the visitors edged home on a 3-11 to 1-14 scoreline.

Senior team: Jack Kennedy Michael Egan Tom Murphy Martin Delaney Diarmiud Delaney Neil Quinlan Jack Bergin Adrian Bourke (0-1) Dean McEnroe (0-1) Jordan Moloney (1-0) Cathal Scully David O'Shea (0-1) Lyndon Fairbrother (0-10, 7f) Jack Fogarty Eanna McBride. Subs Used: James Bergin Radek Natkaneic Lorcan Roche Darragh Doyle (1-1) Martin Bergin

Junior B: Stephen Delahunty Cian McDonnell Aidan Ivers Shane Bergin Ciaran Byrne Peter Burke Paul Guider Eddie Bergin (1-1) Niall Martin Martin Bergin (0-1) Paddy Delaney (0-2) Mikey Kennedy Nicky Madden(0-2,1f) Brian Roche (0-3, 2f)) James Moore (0-4,3f). Subs Used: Michael Kelly Padraig Murphy Rhys Loughnane (0-1) Denis Deegan.