Birr 2-10 Clarinbridge 1-5
Offaly outfit Birr won their third All-Ireland Club title today after defeating Clarinbridge of Galway in the hurling final at Semple Stadium, Thurles.
Clarinbridge were appearing in their first All-Ireland final and looked unsettled throughout. Birr, on the other hand, were lining out for their fourth final appearance.
Birr started lively and Declan Pilkington opened the scoring with a fine goal from 20 yards in the first minute. Clarinbridge, in turn, stuttered into contention when corner forward David Donoghue netted on eight minutes. A drab first half closed with the Westeners holding a two point advantage on a scoreline of 1-4 to 1-2.
Birr played more enterprising, creative hurling after the break and had their opponents so stretched and worn that all enthusiasm for the occasion slowly evaporated.
Birr manager, Pat Joe Whelehan, had obviously sparked much-needed belief into his charges during the break as they sprung to life by hitting five unanswered points in an eight minute spell during the second half.
The Hanniffy brothers - Gary and Rory - hit ranging scores before Stephen Brown pointed from 50 yards. Simon and Brian Whelehan - sons of manager Pat Joe - slotted over a brace to complete the scoring blitz.
Clarinbridge were left lifeless and had little in the way of retaliation or imagination. Birr's useful distribution and ability to retain possession limited the Galway side to a single point in the second half - that coming from Darragh Coen in the 44th minute.
Birr finished off the contest with nine minutes remaining when former Offaly inter-county star Johnny Pilkington kicked home Birr’s second goal. Pilkington had his initial shot saved by Clarinbridge goalkeeper Liam Donoghue but the ball wriggled lose leaving him with a simple task in front of goal.
Birr:B. Mullins; G. Cahill, J. Erritty, JP O'Meara; D. Franks, Brian Whelehan (0-1), N. Claffey; J. Pilkington (1-0), S. Brown (0-2); R. Hanniffy (0-1), G. Hanniffy (0-2), D. Pilkington (1-0); L. Power, Barry Whelehan, S. Whelehan (0-4).
Clarinbridge:L. Donoghue; M. Spelman, A. Quinn, G. Spelman; J. Cannon, M. Donoghue, L. Madden; D. Coen (0-4), B. Carr; P. Coen, M. Kerins, A. Kerins; C. Coen, D. Forde, D. Donoghue (1-1).