Birr send out a message

LEINSTRER SHC QUARTER-FINAL Birr 1-17 Ballyboden St Enda's 0-8: BIRR SENT out a rather defiant message as they came away from Parnell Park with a convincing 12-point victory over the Dublin champions on Saturday.

The effects of a tough campaign seemed to tell on a Ballyboden team who, having run Birr so close in last year's provincial final, were still at the starting blocks by the time Birr had this game wrapped up. And although opposing managers Pad Joe Whelehan and Liam Hogan briefly squared up to each other midway through the first half, the talking was done on the pitch as the Leinster champions put their opponents to the sword in a breathtaking first-half display.

They were led by left-half forward Simon Whelehan who shot over a series of early points to help ensure a 0-8 to 0-3 lead midway through the half.

With Gary Hanniffy a real handful at full forward, Birr were edging further and further ahead. Ballyboden tried to respond, but Brian Mullins's big-game experience told, the Offaly goalkeeper producing two excellent saves to deny Paul Ryan and Conal Keaney as Birr led 0-14 to 0-4 at half-time.

Despite David Curtin's two points after the break, Ballyboden's faint hopes were crushed when Stephen Browne fired a low shot beyond Gary Maguire with 10 minutes remaining.

The only downside for Birr were the injuries which forced the withdrawal of Brian Whelehan before the interval and his brother, Simon, in the final quarter.

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA'S: G Maguire; M Travers, S Perkins, J Duffy; T Sweeney, D Spain, S Lambert; S Durkin, S Hiney; D Sweeney, D Curtin (0-3, one free, two 65s), C Keaney (0-1), P Ryan (0-2, one free), C McCormack, E Carroll. Subs: M O' Sullivan for Spain (HT), M Griffin (0-1)for D Sweeney (ht), D O' Connor (0-1)for C McCormack (39 mins), N McMorrow for Ryan (55 mins), M Nagle for Carroll (55 mins).

BIRR: B Mullins; J P O'Meara, N Claffey, M Verney; B Watkins, P Cleary, B Harding; R Hanniffy, Barry Whelehan; Dylan Hayden (0-2), Brian Whelahan (0-2), S Whelehan (0-6, three frees); S Ryan (0-2), G Hanniffy (0-3), B Lonergan (0-1). Subs: S Browne (1-1, one free)for Brian Whelehan (HT), P O'Meara for S Whelehan (51 mins), A Whelehan for R Hannify (60 mins).

Referee: D Murphy(Wexford).