DANIEL Twomey began his reign as Newcestown hurling boss with a 0-19 to 0-15 victory away to Na Piarsaigh.
The West Cork club led 0-11 to 0-8 at the break in this Red FM County Hurling League Division 2 clash and managed their advantage well to the finish.
Richard O’Sullivan top-scored with 0-10 (7f), while Colm Dinneen impressed with 0-3 from play, all in the opening half. Other scorers included Colm O’Donovan, Ciarán O’Donovan, Luke Meade, Jack Meade and Ciarán Hurley.
Elsewhere in the second tier, Valley Rovers began the season with a narrow 1-17 to 1-16 defeat away to Bride Rovers. Ballincollig enjoyed a comfortable victory over Ballymartle (2-23 to 0-12) as Stephen Wills and Cian O’Driscoll hit the net, while Kanturk got the better of Carrigaline, 3-22 to 1-11.
In Division 3, Bandon fell to a 1-16 to 1-14 loss against Lisgoold in Cloughduv on Monday night. Ballinhassig beat Courcey Rovers in a Carrigdhoun derby, 1-22 to 0-19. In the same division, Inniscarra got the better of Russell Rovers (0-21 to 1-14), while there were opening-day wins for Éire Óg and Blarney over Castlelyons and Fermoy respectively.
In Division 6, the Carbery derby between Ballinascarthy and Argideen Rangers ended all square at 0-15 to 1-12. Argideen led 0-10 to 0-4 at the break but Bal battled back in the second period.
The Timoleague club had scoring contributions from John Michael O’Callaghan (0-7, 5f), Charlie Twomey (1-0), Seán Walsh (0-3), Fergal Walsh and James Crowley. Bal’s scorers were captain Connall Cullinane (0-9, 2f), Donnagh O’Driscoll (0-3), Aidan O’Donovan, David Walsh and Cillian Cullinane.
Newly promoted to Division 6, Diarmuid Ó Mathúna began their season with a 4-19 to 3-14 loss against Aghada. The Castletownkenneigh club were up against a side that reached the county intermediate A semi-finals in 2025, so the gap in quality was always going to be difficult to bridge.
Kinsale began their campaign with a 2-21 to 1-16 victory over Mayfield, while there were also wins for Ballygiblin and Killavullen over Erin’s Own and Sarsfields’ second strings.
Division 7 saw Barryroe enjoy a comfortable 1-25 to 0-14 win against Killeagh’s seconds. Tomas Ó Buachalla scored 1-3 for the Sky Blues while Olan O’Donovan chipped in with 0-6 (3f).
Other scorers included Ryan O’Donovan and Adam McSweeney (0-3 each), Seán O’Riordan, Brian O’Donovan and Daniel O’Driscoll (0-2 each), along with Seán Holland, Killian Sheehy, Micheál Whelton and David O’Sullivan.
Kilshannig beat Meelin (1-22 to 1-13), while Passage West drew with Na Piarsaigh (2-12 to 0-18) in the other games.
Elsewhere, Division 1 also produced some exciting clashes as county champions Sarsfields began with defeat at home to Glen Rovers, 1-21 to 0-20. Paudie Murray’s St Finbarr’s beat Blackrock 0-22 to 1-18, with Jack Cahalane hitting 0-2, while Midleton and Douglas got the better of Fr O’Neill’s and Killeagh.
In Division 5 – where Kilbrittain beat Midleton’s seconds – Tracton began with a 0-14 to 1-10 victory over Castlemartyr. It was an opening-day defeat for fellow south-east club Ballygarvan, however, as they fell to Milford, 3-15 to 0-20. The remaining game saw Cloyne beat Glen Rovers’ seconds.
