The Kilkenny club championships have reached the first round stages at senior, intermediate and junior levels with teams fighting it out for places in the quarter-finals.
In the St Canice's Credit Union SHC, Dicksboro and Clara both avoided places in the dreaded relegation finals. In Canon Kearns Park, Clara defeated a spirited Lisdowney in thrilling fashion, winning out on a 2-27 to 3-21 scoreline after extra-time.
In nearby Páirc Lachtain, Dicksboro can also look forward to hurling in the top tier in 2026 after seeing off a late Graigue Ballycallan resurgence to prevail 2-15 to 1-14, condemning the sky blues to a relegation dog fight with Lisdowney in three weeks time.
In the first round of the hurling championship, the Shamrocks had too much for Erin's Own to run out 1-32 to 2-8 winners at senior level, while an Adam Croke hat-trick helped Mooncoin on their way to a comprehensive 6-23 to 1-15 victory over southern rivals Rower Inistioge.
Also at the intermediate grade, the Blacks & Whites retained their status for a fourth year in a row with a determined performance to come out the right side of a 0-17 to 1-11 scloreline.
The Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League and Shield Finals were also down for decision in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday as the top two from Group A and B faced off in the league and shield finals.
In the shield decider, Dunnamaggin had five points to spare in a 0-17 to 1-9 defeat of Young Irelands, while in the league final James Stephens maintained their unbeaten record and perhaps laid down a championship marker with a 1-23 to 0-17 win over Danesfort. - SEE PICTURES HERE
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