LIMERICK SHC Adare 0-13 Ahane 0-8:ADARE remain the Limerick hurling champions after they proved too strong for Ahane in a disappointing final at the Gaelic Grounds. It was also the second time they had back-to-back wins this decade in a decider that produced 21 scores and 17 wides.
Coached by former Clare star Ger O'Loughlin, Adare were in total control in a second half in which Ahane could manage only three points, only one from play.
A low-scoring opening half ended 0-5 each after Ahane led on four occasions when backed by the very strong breeze. But it was obvious once Conor Fitzgerald pointed Adare in front for the first time after the restart that the champions would keep their title.
Veteran Mark Foley impressed for the winners with Fitzgerald scoring seven points, four from frees while impressive midfielder Wayne McNamara gave a man-of-the-match performance.
ADARE:T Houlihan; S O'Connell, JP Healy, S Lavin; R Kennedy, M Foley, A O'Rahilly; P Keane, W McNamara; C Fitzgerald, (0-7, four frees), B Foley, M Noonan (0-1); A O'Connell, D Sheehan (0-3), L Costello (0-2). Subs: D Sexton for B Foley (49 mins)
AHANE:T Flynn; D Madden, D Fitzgerald, M Carr; C O'Reilly, O Moran, A Smith; J Meskell, F Aherne; D Laing (0-1), B Healy, N Moran (0-5, three frees, two 65s), S Madden (0-1), S O'Connor, P O'Connor (0-1). Subs: C Smith for Aherne (39 mins), R Kelly for Laing, T Hayes (for Smith), C Joyce Power for Healy (ht).
Referee:D Enright.
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