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(© Inpho) |
Galway champions Clarinbridge will play their Offaly counterparts Birr in the All-Ireland Club Hurling final on St Patrick's Day.
Clarinbridge ran out four point 1-15 to 2-8 winners over a gallant Ballygunner side while Birr beat Ulster champions Dunloy 2-12 to 1-11 at Clones.
The men from the West deserved their victory and the excellent Alan Kerins was singled out for his outstanding contribution.
Clarinbridge, with the breeze behind them, led 1-7 to 1-3 at half-time. Kerins netted the Galway side's goal while Paul Foley scored Ballygunner's first half goal.
Clarinbridge had corner back Gerry Spellman sent off early in the second half for a double booking but never let the numerical difference play into their opponents hands.
They played the better hurling throughout and rattled over four superb points without reply in the second half to put the game beyond Ballygunner's reach.
Billy O'Sullivan clawed a late goal back for Ballygunner but it was ultimately not enough.
Birr needed their wits about them to secure their final spot after trailing Dunloy by four points at half-time.
Dunloy hurled well in the opening half and stretched into a comfortable lead through Paidi McMullen's well-executed goal after nine minutes.
But Birr fought back admirably and got the goal they so badly needed. Simon Whelahan's ferocious shot on 23 minutes was too powerful for Dunloy 'keeper Gareth McGee to save.
Dunloy mounted another challenge and took to the break with a four point lead on a scoreline of 1-7 to 1-3.
They were, however, put on the back foot minutes into the second half when defender Frankie McNullen and 'keeper McGee bizarrely failed to keep out Stephen Browne's 45 metre effort.
Birr's Paul Molloy and Gary Hannifin added further points towards the end of the game to maintain their advantage.
In the National Football League, Tyrone made it two wins out of two with victory over Dublin in an exciting Division 1A match at Dungannon.
Tyrone started brightly and were soon enjoying a handy lead. Tyrone proved a well-organised setup and had Dublin rattled for large periods of the game. They led by five points at the break.
Dublin emerged from the dressing room a more focused second half side and settled into the game through a well-taken Ray Cosgrove goal.
But Tyrone responded with fine points, notably from the excellent Gerard Cavlan.
In a nail-biting finish, Tyrone led by three points with five minutes to play but Dublin pulled level with an Alan Brogan goal.
Peter Canavan and Cavlan added late scores, however, to secure the points for the Ulster team.
In Mullingar, Galway were comfortable eight point winners over an injury plagued Westmeath side.
Tommy Joyce and Matthew Clancy combined for Galway's two first half goals and led their opponents by eight points at the break.
But Westmeath, playing with the breeze, produced some quality football in the second half and had, at one stage, reduced the deficit to four points.
But having gone almost 20 minutes with no score, Galway clinched the points when Paul Clancy lobbed the Westmeath 'keeper from close range for Galway's third goal.
All-Ireland Club Hurling semi-finals
Clarinbridge 1-15 Ballygunner 2-8
Birr 2-12 Dunloy 1-11
NFL Division 1A
Tyrone 0-18 Dublin 2-10
Cork 0-10 Roscommon 1-9
Offaly 0-13 Donegal 0-16
Westmeath 0-13 Galway 3-12
NFL Division 1B
Clare 1-6 Mayo 2-19
Kildare 1-15 Derry 1-11
Sligo 0-11 Down 0-10
Cavan 0-16 Fermanagh 0-14
NFL Division 2A
Kerry 0-14 Antrim 0-7
Louth 2-18 Wicklow 0-12
London 0-10 Limerick 3-22
Armagh 3-16 Leitrim 0-9
NFL Division 2B
Laois 2-16 Carlow 1-11
Waterford 1-12 Longford 4-13
Tipperary 1-7 Meath 0-14
Moonaghan 1-6 Wexford 1-8