Holders Ahane, in front by nine points to three at half-time having played with a strong breeze, survived a second-half blitz by Kilmallock to earn a replay on Sunday week in the Limerick hurling final.
While the standard was not great a dramatic finish compensated. Ahane led from the second minute until three minutes from the end. They scored the opening two points of the second half but a 41st-minute goal from Padraig Tobin put Kilmallock back in contention. Points by substitute Johnny Cronin, Mike Houlihan and Dave Clarke left only two points between the sides.
Ollie Moran had Ahane's first point for 17 minutes to leave the champions looking comfortable but Johnny Cronin levelled the scores three minutes from time with a Kilmallock goal.
In the final seconds Ahane were awarded a free from a very scoreable position but the referee changed his decision and gave a throw-in after indiscipline by an Ahane player.
AHANE: F McCarthy; A Collins, K Herbert, M Murnane; C Smith, O Moran (0-1), A Smith; J Meskell, J Moran (0-2); B Meskell (0-1), S O'Connor (0-2), T Herbert (0-6); J O'Grady, M Fitzgerald, P Smith. Subs: N Moran for D Meskell, J Morrissey for Fitzgerald.
KILMALLOCK: T Hennessey; D Barry, M Cronin, S O'Grady; A McGuire, D Clarke (0-1) J Connolly; M Houlihan (0-2), J Fitzgerald; K O'Dwyer, P Barrett, M Nelligan; P Tobin (1-1), P Connery, P Han- ley (0-1). Subs: J Cronin (1-1) for Barrett, B Hanley for O'Dwyer.
Referee: J O'Mahony (Limerick).
