There were scenes of jubilation when Ahane won the Limerick senior hurling championship title for the first time in 43 years at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday. It was a win richly deserved against a Patrickswell side who had won the title for the past three seasons.

The champions got the opening point by Paul O'Grady, but after 15 minutes Ahane, backed by the breeze, led 0-4 to 0-2.

Ahane went on to lead 1-7 to 04 at half time with the goal coming five minutes before the break. Adrian Smith sent in a long range free and John Morrissey - a brother of Kilkenny star, Eamon, - got the vital touch.

Patrickswell made several positional changes for the second half and it looked like paying off when it took Ahane 19 minutes for their first point, and in between Patrickswell cut the deficit to three. But James Moran's point settled Ahane who went on for their surprise win which gives them 17 Limerick championships, one more than yesterday's losers.

Gary Kirby scored five points for Patrickswell, but was held scoreless from play.

Ahane: T Meskell; A Collins, K Herbert, M Murnane; C Smith, O Moran, A Smith; J Moran (0-3), J Meskell (0-1); J O'Grady, J Morrissey (1-1), M Fitzgerald (0-1); S O'Connor, T Her- bert (0-5), P Smith. Sub: D O'Sullivan for O'Grady.

Patrickswell: N O'Grady; A Foley, Pa Carey, P Earls; T O'Brien, K Carey, M Foley; Paul Carey, A Carmody; B Foley (0-1), D O'Grady, P O'Grady (0-1); E Geary (0-1), G Kirby (0-5), A Purcell (0-1). Sub: D Foley for M Foley.

Referee: J Hickey (Ballylanders).