Two goals at either end of the first half set up Athenry VS for a place in the All-Ireland Vocational Schools' hurling final at Belmont, Co Offaly yesterday. A first-time ground stroke goal from Michael Coughlan in the second minute gave Athenry a tonic start and Kevin White's late strike left them leading 2-4 to 1-3 at half-time. David Hoyne scored Ballyhale's goal.

For 20 minutes of the second period Ballyhale dominated, but Athenry scored 1-5 without reply before Conor Conway's late goal for Ballyhale from a 20-metre free.

Athenry: P Gannon; S Forde, D Cloonan, I Daniels; T Kelly, J Cannon, MJ Quinn; D Forde, D Murphy (0-1); M Coughlan (1-1), J Hession (0- 1), D Moore; P J O'Brien, C Coen (1-4), K White (1-0). Subs: P Coen (0-1) for Kelly; J Fallon (0-1) for O'Brien; K Callanan for Moore.

Ballyhale: PJ Alward; P Frisby, JP Dungan, P Dalton; S O'Keeffe, T Coogan, A Walsh; W Coogan, A Duggan; K Moore (0-2), L Grant (0-1), T Duggan (0-1); C Conway (1-1), B Delahunty, D Hoyne (1-0). Subs: B Costello for Moore; K Moore for Delahunty.

Referee: M Cahill (Tipperary).