The authority of Conor Stakelum and sharp-shooter John McGrath gave Borrisoleigh an obvious head start in the Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens, sponsored by AIB, at Glenalbyn in Dublin on Saturday. The Tipperary team had nine points to spare (5-6 to 2-6) over Dublin's O'Toole's in the final. After advancing to the decider in style, the Tipperary men were confronted by an injury-stricken O'Toole's at the final hurdle.

The match was virtually decided over the first 15 minutes with Stakelum and McGrath proving real menaces for the Dubliners.

The two Borrisoleigh men looked particularly comfortable in finding space to take pot shots at the O'Toole's posts. A devastated O'Toole's cover conceded rapid scores in that opening half to enable the Tipperary men to ease into a commanding 5-3 to 1-4 interval lead.

McGrath, the team captain, scored three goals, and Stakelum tacked on 1-3 in that opening period, during which the Tipperary men had their backs to wind and blinding sun.

The anticipated improvement by key O'Toole's players, such as Jamsie Brennan, Paul O'Donoghue Dec O'Brien and Sean Kearns, did not materialise. Apart from McGrath and Stakelum, other Borrisoleigh players to catch the eye were Joe Loughnane, Phil Maher and Declan Maher.

This was O'Toole's second successive defeat in the final. Eire Og, Nenagh, whose bid ended at the hands of fellow county men Portroe at the quarter-final stage this year, had spoiled the party for O'Toole's last year.

Kilmessan of Meath were highly convincing when beating St Gabriel's of London with 11 points to spare in the Shield final.

Quarter-finals: Borrisoleigh 2-7, Sarsfields (Galway) 3-2; St Mary's, Athenry 8-7, Ballygalget (Down) 3-2; Portroe (Tipperary) 7-2, Eire Og, Nenagh 4-7; O'Toole's (Dublin) 6-3, Rathdowney (Laois) 4-3. Semi-finals: Borrisoleigh 4-2, St Mary's (Athenry) 2-2; O'Toole's (Dublin) 4-7, Portroe (Tipperary) 2-5

Final: Borrisoleigh 5-6 (J McGrath 3-0, C Stakelum 1-5 (two frees and 65) J Keane 1-1). O'Toole's 2-6 (P O'Donoghue 1-3, D O'Brien 10, J Brennan 0-3 (two frees)).

Squads: Borrisleigh - D Rabbitte, P Maher, C Stakelum, J Keane, J McGrath, J Loughnane, D Maher, P Rabbitte, S Maher, M Stapleton.

O'Toole's - B McLoughlin, D O'Brien, M Healy, P Getting, S Kearns, J Brennan, P O'Donoghue, K Horgan, L Briody.

Referee: J O'Leary (Cork).

Shield final: Kilmessan (Meath) 1-12, St Gabriel's (London) 0-4.