Birr and Coolderry to meet again in Offaly decider

Leinster Hurling/Offaly: Birr had a comfortable 3-24 to 1-12 passage to the hurling final with victory over Shinrone at St Brendan's Park, Birr yesterday.

Early goals from Rory and Gary Hanniffy gave Birr a six-point advantage approaching the midway point in the first half - however, Martin Keeshan's goal brought Shinrone back into the game.

Birr finished the half strongly and Simon Whelehan's goal shortly before the interval gave them a 3-12 to 1-8 lead at half-time. The second half petered out as Birr hit nine points without reply and the game was over as a contest long before the finish.

In the other semi-final at the same venue, champions Coolderry had to withstand a determined second-half fight-back from Kinnitty before finally claiming victory, 3-10 to 2-11.

Two first-half goals from Damien Murray and a third from Joe Brady had Coolderry in a strong position at half-time when they led by 10 points, 3-7 to 0-6.

However two John Clendennen goals in the first three minutes of the second half began the Kinnitty fight-back and they dominated most of the second half.

In fact, Coolderry failed to score from play in the second half, but did just enough to hold on for victory.

CARLOW: Naomh Eoin of Myshall captured their 18th Carlow senior hurling title with a 0-11 to 0-8 win over Mount Leinster Rangers before an attendance of 3,000 at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow yesterday.

For most of the game Naomh Eoin were the dominant side,

but they failed to put their opponents away, shooting a total of 15 wides over the hour to just six for their opponents.

At half-time Mount Leinster Rangers led 0-6 to 0-4, due primarily to the accuracy from frees of left-full forward Seán Michael Murphy.

WICKLOW: Glenealy reclaimed the senior hurling title from defending champions Carnew with a 1-11 to 0-6 win at Aughrim yesterday.

Scorer of two points, Glenealy midfielder Leighton Glynn gave a man-of-the match performance and they led 1-4 to 0-5 at the break, despite playing against the wind.

Indeed, the Reds could have been much further ahead, but for three or four super saves by the Carnew goalkeeper Ted Kennedy.

In constrast to last year's final - when the match ended in an ugly brawl - this game, watched by some 2,000 spectators, was played in a very sporting manner from start to finish.

The exchanges were tight all the way through and there was very few openings for players to shine.