Birr ... 2-12 Castletown ... 1-12 Champions Birr took another step towards a record fourth All- Ireland title at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, yesterday they produced a brilliant second-half performance to overcome a gallant Castletown of Laois.

Conditions at Portlaoise were heavy and Castletown dominated the opening half. David Cuddy had a point within 30 seconds and his brother Pauric added another after 10 minutes. Barry Whelehan, one of the three brothers on the Birr side, opened their account from a free after a minute later. Castletown pulled away with points from the Cuddys, Cyril and Paul, but two late points from Simon Whelehan saw Birr trail 0-6 to 0-8 at the interval.

Castletown continued to dominate after the break but Birr's introduction of substitutes Donal Hayden and Declan Pilkington brought about huge changes.

Goals from Paul Molloy and Hayden turned the game upside down and although Seamus Lyons got back a Castletown goal nine minutes from time, Birr advanced to face Carlow champions St Mullins in the provincial semi final

BIRR: B Mullins; G Cahill, J Errity, J P O'Meara; D Franks, B Whelehan, N Claffey; B Whelehan, R Hannify; P Molloy (1-1), J Pilkington (0-1), G Hannify (0-2), L Power, S Browne, S Whelehan (0-7). Subs: D Hayden (1-1), for F Brown; D Pilkington for L Power.

CASTLETOWN: J Lyons; M Phelan, T Phelan, P Mullaney; C Cuddy (0-2), Paul Cuddy (0-2), J O'Sullivan; E Dooley, B McKelvey; B Ferns, D Cuddy (0-1), Pauric Cuddy (0-3), F O'Sullivan (0-2), P Phelan, S Lyons (1-2). Subs: J Delaney for B Ferns; T Dooley for E Dooley; J Palmer for B McKelvey; J Hooban for P Phelan; R Delaney for P Mullaney.

Referee: A Mac Suibhne (Dublin)