GABRIEL Rangers enjoyed opening-round success in Group 3 of the Co-Op Superstores Confined Junior B Hurling Championship.

The Carbery club saw off Laochra Óg by 1-18 to 1-9 in Inchigeelagh to kickstart their 2026 championship bid. Last season, Gabriels reached the last four of this competition before going down to eventual champions Ballyclough by seven points in Enniskeane.

Gabriels’ next group game is against Ballyphehane on Sunday, May 17th. The West Cork club’s round two opponents had a comfortable home victory over Rathpeacon, 6-14 to 0-7. That result means that the winner between Gabriels and Ballyphehane will have one foot in the knockout stages. Laochra Óg and Rathpeacon face off on the same weekend.

O’Donovan Rossa began their Group 4 campaign with a 0-15 to 0-6 defeat against Delanys in Newcestown.

Given St Oliver Plunkett’s won their opener over Bantry Blues, Skibb’s West Cork derby clash against Bantry on Sunday, May 17th is a must-win for both sides.

‘Win that game against Skibb and we’re back with a chance to qualify from the group,’ said Bantry boss Joe O’Donnell.

It also means that Plunkett’s and Delanys’ encounter in the second round of group matches will see the winners nearly through in the knockout phase.

In Group 1, Crosshaven beat Lough Rovers 3-18 to 1-14 in Ballygarvan while Doneraile earned a 1-17 to 2-9 win over Brian Dillo’s in Glantane.

The next round of fixtures will have Crosshaven face Brian Dillons and Lough Rovers come up against Doneraile.

Finally in Group 2, Araglen produced a great shooting display in beating Castletownroche 5-25 to 1-10 in Ballygiblin. Castlemagner got the job done at home to Ballinacurra, winning 0-14 to 0-7.

Round two has Araglen and Castlemagner facing off as well as Ballinacurra and Castletownroche.