ALL but dead and buried two weeks ago, Avondhu completed their, amazing comeback yesterday when they won the Cork senior hurling final replay at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Imokilly left Pairc Ui Chaoimh two weeks ago sickened with the belief that they had left the title behind them and their misery was added to yesterday when they had no answer to Avondhu's greater passion and hunger.

Avondhu opened the game the way they finished two weeks ago and raced into a commanding four-point lead.

Inspired by the superb Fergal McCormack at midfield, Avondhu hurled with a passion and fervour that had been conspicuous by its absence in the drawn match. Avondhu constantly looked to McCormack for inspiration and never once did he disappoint. His fielding and huge clearances were a constant boost to those around him.

Imokilly had looked to Jimmy Smiddy for their scores two weeks ago. He added six more yesterday but all came from frees because McCormack stemmed the flow of possession to the Imokilly forward line.

Avondhu, on the other hand, improved immensely from the drawn game and scored seemingly at will. Brian O'Driscoll and Ray O'Connell in particular were in devastating form.

Imokilly had the perfect chance to gain a hold on proceedings when they drew level just after half-time with a goal from Brendan Walsh. Instead of giving Imokilly heart McCormack once again upped his game and Avondhu rode out the storm to win the title for just the third time in the division's history.

Larry Tompkins's managerial debut ended in defeat as Kerry scored a somewhat fortuitous one-point victory (1-10 to 1-9) over Cork in a highly entertaining McGrath Cup senior football (home) final at Tralee on Saturday afternoon. Cork will rue many missed scoring opportunities and a general lack of scoring.