Friday night hurling

Defending SHC champions Kildalkey discovered that it will not be easy to retain the title when they were beaten by Kilmessan in the opneing round at Trim last night. Kildalkey were ahead by 1-5 to 1-4 at the interval, but wasted too many chances and against the wind managed only three more points as Kilmessan took the bragging rights with a 1-14 to 1-8 victory. In the other SHC game at Athboy, Navan O'Mahonys defeated Gaeil Colmcille by 2-11 to 1-9. O'Mahonys were ahead by 1-7 to 1-4 and survived a brief Kells rally in the second-half when the scores were level.