Colleges SH Connacht final: St Raphael's 3-12 Portumna 2-10 Scoring 2-5 in eight minutes before half-time paved the way for St Raphael's to win back the Connacht Colleges Senior A hurling title after a lapse of six years at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, yesterday.

The winners, who had the assistance of a strong breeze in the opening half, were 1-3 up after nine minutes, before seeing their lead reduced to a single point after 20 minutes, 1-3 to 1-2.

In the closing eight minutes of the first half, Loughrea scored 2-5 with their goals coming from Francis Kerrigan, after a great solo run, and from full forward Kevin Hynes, who saw his shot dropped by the Portumna goalkeeper.

Portumna hit back well in the second half, but were guilty of poor finishing - they recorded nine wides.

Their top scorer, Joe Canning, with 2-3, was guilty of wasting three easy chances in the opening half, but he more than made amends on the resumption.

In the B final, St Mary's College, Galway, beat Presentation College, Athenry, 4-5 to 0-7.

ST RAPHAEL'S: F Hynes; S Kelly (0-1), S Flaherty, A White; D Earls, M Ryan, T Earls; F Kerrigan(1-0), R Regan; R Dervan (0-1), J Burns (1-0), G Kilcarr (0-10, 0-9f); D McKeigue, K Hynes (1-0), K Haverty. Sub: F Looney for White.

PORTUMNA CC: A Duggan; R O'Brien, J O'Flaherty, P Shiel; F Treacy, A Keary, D Broderick; E Duane, C Larkin; G Lyons (0-1), M Dervan (0-3), K Kilkenny; S Finnerty, S Duane (0-3), J Canning (2-3). Subs: C Muldoon for Duggan, E McKeigue for Broderick.

Referee: Brendan Burke (Athenry).