FYI: What we know after the first round of the Kilkenny senior hurling league

It's very early days in the St Canice's Credit Union Senior Hurling League, with the first set of matches completed in Groups A and B in the competition.

In Group A, Dicksboro lead the way on scoring difference from Shamrocks Ballyhale after their 3-21 to 2-16 defeat of newly promoted Lisdowney. The early return of Cillian Hackett from the USA as well as Eamonn Jackman's faith in youngster Patrick Lacey proved its weight in gold with the pair raising two and one green flag respectively to help get their club over the winning finish line. - READ MORE HERE

Meanwhile, city rivals O'Loughlin Gaels prevailed in a high scoring shootout against Glenmore. The teams were neck and neck for much of the contest with last year's beaten finalists leading by a single point at half-time. However, Brian Hogan's men took the lead heading into the final ten minutes and never looked back to win out 0-25 to 0-23.

It may be early days but Shamrocks Ballyhale are breathing down Dicksboro's necks in the group after they secured an eye catching 3-23 to 1-22 win over Bennettsbridge on Thursday. Like their city counterparts, the Shamrocks also welcomed a number of valuable members of their panel home including Evan Shefflin and Darragh Corcoran. The latter was one of their three goal scorers on the night alongside Niall Shortall and Eoin Cody. The strong team selection, the return of Henry Shefflin to the managerial dug out and TJ Reid showing powerful form suggests the southerners are a team on a mission in 2025. - READ MORE HERE

PICTURES: Shamrocks Ballyhale begin Kilkenny senior championship season in style

In Group B, Mullinavat hold top spot after a 1-24 to 2-13 win over Erins Own. The 'Comer men appeared to be down and out with ten minutes to play as their opponents blitzed them 1-8 to 0-3 in the first 20 minutes of hurling in the second period to trail by 13 points. Last year's quarter-finalists showed tremendous heart to pull the game back to an eight point margin, but ultimately left themselves with too much to do.

The two other games proved to be thrillers in Group B. Despite not having a full cohort to pick from, Graigue Ballycallan pushed Clara all the way in their Bennettsbridge showdown. Kilkenny under-20 ace Rory Glynn's netted finish proved to be decisive and was enough for the men in marron to prevail 1-20 to 0-22. 

But, it was In John Locke Park where arguably supporters got the greatest value for money as reigning champions Thomastown and Tullaroan served up a treat. Noel Doherty's outfit came out the right side of a 3-21 to 1-25 scoreboard. There was goals galore at the Callan venue with both sides probably believing their performances warranted the two points. 'The Sash' held a 1-13 to 0-11 advantage at half-time but a determined Thomastown, which featured their experienced band of brothers who took them to county glory along with fresh panelists like Colm Treacy who bagged a brace of goals, came back to win by two.

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