THE incoming GAA President, Joe McDonagh, (42), won his first ever county hurling title yesterday, when Ballinderreen beat Mullagh 1-10 to 2-6 in the Galway Junior B hurling championship final.

McDonagh captained the team at Kenny Park, Athenry - and his son Eoin was also a member of the winning side.

Joe McDonagh started his hurling career at 11 years of age in 1965, but had never won a county medal.

He played in four previous teams that were beaten in county finals: in 1965, in under 14 hurling; 1973 senior football; 1978 senior hurling; and 1984 intermediate football.

McDonagh's father, Maitian, is a vice president of the winning club. The Hurling Board delegate of the club is former Galway star Noel Lane, who also played yesterday.