Laois champions oust Birr

For the third time in four years, the Laois and Offaly champions met at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise. Birr, the reigning Leinster champions and Offaly nominees - the 2000 championship has yet to be completed in the county - were expected to advance to another semi-final but they had no answer to the fast-moving Laois team in the second half.

In a match played in almost perfect conditions, an O'Sullivan gave O'Sullivan then gave the Laois side the lead, ; but Liam Power had it all the sides were level at 0-2 apiece after 15 minutes. Two minutes later, however, there was dismay for the Laois side when a Brian Whelahan 65 was deflected to the net by Castletown defender Robert Delaney.

Castletown responded with three good points and at the interval trailed by only a point, 1-3 to 0-5. The opening five minutes of the new half saw Niall Claffey and Liam Power stretch the Offaly side's lead; but when David Cuddy placed Pat Phelan for a Castletown goal in the 36th minute the sides were level. Midway through the half points by David Cuddy and Pat Phelan put the Laois side ahead again, but Gary Hannify cut the deficit to a single point with 11 minutes remaining.

Good work by Castletown finished with Michael Butler scoring a second goal. Brian Whelahan narrowed the gap with a point from a free, but in the final five minutes Castletown pulled away with points from Pat Phelan and sub Brian Ferns to score a famous victory and claim a semi-final place against Kilkenny's Graigue Ballycallan on Saturday.

Castletown: J Lyons; M Phelan, Paul Cuddy, S Hanlon; R Delaney (1-0, own goal), C Cuddy, J Palmer; D Cuddy (0-5, two frees), E Dooley; Patrick Cuddy, J O'Sullivan, M Butler (1-1); R Kingston, F O'Sullivan (0-1), P Phelan (1-2). Sub: B Ferns (0-1) For E Dooley.

Birr: B Mullins; G Cahill, J Errity, D Franks; JP O'Meara, Brian Whelahan (0-2), N Claffey (0-1); J Pilkington, Barry Whelahan (0-1); L Power (0-2), C McGlone, D Pilkington; R Hanniffy, G Hanniffy (0-2), S Whelahan. Subs: P Murphy for McGlone; P Carroll for Declan Pilkington.

Referee: P Ahearn (Carlow).