On the first weekend of Championship hurling in Galway Kilnadeema/Leitrim got off to a great start with victories in both the Under 14 and Under 21 championships. First up were the Under 21 who were drawn to meet Beagh in the first round in Castledaly on Saturday March 24th. This was a repeat of last year's semi-final, a game Kilnadeema/Leitrim left behind them in Loughrea. With a lot of the same players on view it was always going to be a close battle and so it turned out to be as Kilnadeema/Leitrim lead by just two points at half time 1-05 to 0-06.The goal coming from Ruairi Costello. In the second half Kilnadeema/Leitrim were much better and went six points clear before Beagh got a goal late on. Michael McLoughlin scored the second goal for his side. Patrick Deely gave a man of the match performance.
 

Team Lineout: Mark Herlihy, Kevin Kelly, Michael Hedderman, Eoin Larkin, Gearoid Whelan, Liam Geargthy, Patrick Deely, Brian Gardiner, Fergal Nevin, Ian Burns, Sean Burke, Colm Kelly, Eoin O'Toole, Ruairi Costello, Padraig McLoughlin.
Subs used: Michael McLoughlin.

Two days later the Under 14 team got their campaign off to a winning start with victory over south Galway side Ballindeeren in Leitrim. Kilnadeema/Leitrim were always the better team in the first half and enjoyed a 1-04 to 0-01 lead at half time. The goal coming from Brian Harris. The second half started well before Ballindeeren came storming back to level matter midway through the second half 1-06 to 2-03. from here to the end Kilnadeema/Leitrim took over again and scored 3-02 without replay. The goals from Shane Lawless and two from Stephen Bruton, Shane Lawless was outstanding at midfield among a very strong team performance.
 

Team Lineout: Dara Donoghue, Ian Kennedy, Conal Whelan, Stephen Farrell, Colin Moran, Conor Cunningham, Conor Howard, Shane lawless, Conor O'Brian, Lewis Mitchell, Niall Haverty, Brian Harris, Cillian Dowling, Stephen Bruton, Brian Molloy.
Subs used: Ryan Murray, Ciaran Callagy.