Dual player Stephen Lucey opted out of the Limerick football team for yesterday's league game against Longford to concentrate fully on hurling for 2006, but hobbled off with a suspected torn ligament after 30 minutes of their 1-15 to 1-14 victory over Cork in a challenge match in Bruff.
Cork's top marksman Neil Ronan suffered a similar injury during the game.
Lucey is now almost certain to miss next Sunday's opening League game against Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds, while Ronan could be absent for his side's visit to Offaly.
Limerick stretched their unbeaten run to six matches, thanks to a last-gasp point from substitute Michael Fitzgerald.
Eugene Cloonan looked fit and sharp ahead of his competitive return for Galway as he led the way as Galway came from behind to defeat Clare by 2-16 to 0-17 in a challenge game at Pearse Stadium.
Cloonan, out of favour for all of last year's championship when Galway made the final against Cork, scored 1-2 from play and set up several scores during a good workout for both sides.
Carlow retained the Kehoe Cup on Saturday thanks to a 3-9 to 1-12 victory over Dublin Institute of Technology at Dr Cullen Park.
Niamh Kindlon fired Monaghan to victory over Donegal in Division 1B of the women's National Football League at Currin yesterday, 2-9 to 1-7. The Magheracloone player scored 2-4 of her side's total - with a goal in either half proving decisive.
Monaghan led 1-4 to 0-2 at half-time with Kindlon hitting the Donegal net after only 30 seconds. A Kelly Lacey goal early in the second half brought Donegal back into contention but Monaghan stayed in front and Kindlon slotted home her second goal with nine minutes remaining.
Caitriona McConnell was Monaghan's only other scorer on the day. She registering five points.
Elsewhere yesterday, Down beat Longford 2-10 to 2-3 in Division 2B, while in 3A Fermanagh annihilated Offaly 3-24 to 1-2. In Division 3B Derry defeated Westmeath 3-7 to 1-10.
On Saturday, All-Ireland junior champions Armagh beat Tyrone at Clann Éireann's grounds, 0-10 to 0-6. Armagh led 0-4 to 0-3 at half time. Aileen Matthews (five) and Sharon Duncan (four) were Armagh's chief scorers.
There was double delight for Ulster at the weekend when UUJ took the Purcell Cup after defeating Athlone IT 4-11 to 1-7 while earlier Queen's defeated near neighbours St Mary's 0-5 to 0-4 in the Shield final at Naomh Mearnóg, Dublin.
Good Counsel, New Ross, advanced to the Leinster SF Colleges final thanks to a 1-10 to 2-6 victory over St Patrick's, Cavan, in Portlaoise on Saturday.
