These sides had a contrasting opening weekend, Kilmallock were five points better off against Patrickswell, while Ahane suffered a seven point reverse at the hands of Ballybrown. The result means that no side in this Group One ‘top six’ has maximum points, with Ahane now back to the table after that disappointing opener. The Castleconnell men haven’t beaten Kilmallock since 2012 and, when Mark O’Loughlin received a second yellow card in the closing minutes for a rugby tackle on Ronan Fox, it looked like that would change. Morrissey pointed the free but the Balbec hit back. However, points from Shane O’Brien either side of a monster score from Conor Staunton ensured parity. Both sides did appeal for late frees before Timmy McGrath called a halt in Doon. Prior to that it was Ahane, wind assisted who led for virtually all of this contest. In fact, they never trailed on a dry evening in Doon, but one where the wind was at their backs for the first half. John Meskell’s side did concede the short puck out to Kilmallock in the first half, keeping Conor Ryan back as a sweeper, and stopping the influence of O’Brien, who hit 10 points, including six from play, last weekend. indeed, there was a lot to like about Ahane as scores from John O’Connor, Tom Morrissey and Jack Cosgrove saw them lead 0-11 to 0-7 at half-time. Indeed, Ronan Fox’s point was the effort of the half with Shane O’Brien, Phelim O’Reilly and Robbie Egan on target for James Hickey’s side. Cratloe native Hickey was excited on the sideline, particularly in the second half as two hotly disputed efforts, were waved wide. Nineteen-time winners Ahane hit four unanswered to open up the largest lead of the night on 35 minutes, Ciaran Barry now among the sharpshooting. However, O’Brien’s goal soon after gave the game a different feel. He was sharp to a rebound after Oisin O’Reilly hit the post and he swatted to the top corner. Ahane would only score twice, both Morrissey frees in the final quarter. Graeme Mulcahy marked his introduction with a point, then won a free. This, converted by keeper Conor Hanley Clarke and added to by O’Brien, brought the game to just three points. The Limerick stars traded scores, with O’Loughlin’s dismissal looking to hinder the South men’s chances. However, O’Brien’s accuracy as well as the long-range Staunton pot shot, saved a point. Next up, after a round of football on Shannonside, will see Ahane clash with 2024 runners-up, Na Piarsaigh, while champions Doon will test Kilmallock’s unbeaten start. Scorers for Kilmallock: Shane O’Brien (1-7, 0-5 frees); P O’Reilly (0-2); D Woulfe, S Quirke, R Egan, G Mulcahy, C Hanley Clarke (free), C Staunton (0-1 each). Scorers for Ahane: T Morrissey (0-10, 0-7 frees); J O’Connor (0-3); J Cosgrove (0-3); R Fox, C Barry (0-1 each). KILMALLOCK: C Hanley Clarke; D O’Brien, M O’Loughlin, L English; R Egan, A Costello, G Enright; C Staunton, P O’Reilly; T Savage, M Houlihan, D Woulfe; O O’Reilly, K Hayes, S O’Brien. Subs: K O'Donnell for O'Loughlin (temp - 7-11 mins); P Connery for P O'Reilly (temp 9 -12; 22); K O'Donnell for Enright (35); G Mulcahy for Quirke (39); P O'Brien for Savage (39); S Dowling for Woulfe (52). AHANE: C Ryan; P Harnett, D Morrissey, C Bickford; S O’Grady, C Barry (Capt), D Minihan; C Ryan, C Heffernan; R Fox, T Morrissey, J O’Connor; M Donnellan, S Power, J Cosgrove. Subs: A Rowesome for Harnett (inj – ); G Rowesome for Power (50); K Morrissey for Donnellan (59). Referee: Timmy McGrath (Oola)