County Championships/Hurling round-up: CORK: Aisake Ó hAilpín upstaged older brothers Seán Óg and Setanta as Na Piarsaigh reached their first senior hurling championship final since 1995 with a deserved 3-10 to 1-10 win over Blackrock in front of 16,000 spectators at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
His two second-half goals, when his side were playing into a howling wind, proved the difference in a game which never reached any great heights.
Setanta, who was introduced four minutes before the break, set up Christy Connery for his 29th-minute goal which helped them to a 1-7 to 0-4 interval lead, by which time Blackrock's Wayne Sherlock had limped off with a leg injury.
In the second semi-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday, Newtownshandrum's reign as All-Ireland champions was ended. Cloyne, who will be appearing in their first decider, won by 1-14 to 0-14. They led by 1-7 to 0-7 at the interval after playing with the strong wind, the goal coming from Colm O'Sullivan.
The highlight was a brilliant point by Diarmuid O'Sullivan.
SCORERS: Na Piarsaigh: A Ó hAilpín 2-3 (0-2 frees); C Connery 1-0; Stephen O'Sullivan, S Ó hAilpín 0-2 each; R McGregor, M Prendergast, C O'Sullivan 0-1 each; Blackrock: A Coughlan 0-5 (0-4 frees, one 65), B O'Keeffe 1-0; A Browne 0-3 (two frees); J Young, B Hennebry 0-1 each.
SCORERS: Cloyne: C O'Sullivan 1-4; I Quinlan 0-5 (four frees); V Cusack 0-2; P O'Sullivan, Diarmuid O'Sullivan, M Cahill (free) 0-1 each; Newtownshandrum: B O'Connor 0-6, four frees, 65; T O'Brien 0-3; J O'Connor 0-2; D Mulcahy, P Mulcahy, JP King 0-1 each.
CLARE: Champions Clarecastle lost their crown at the semi-final stage when they were defeated 0-14 to 0-12 by St Joseph's Doora-Barefield in a tight contest at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday.
Kilmaley also made it through to the final when they beat Scariff by 1-13 to 2-8 at Cusack Park on Saturday afternoon.
SCORERS: St Joseph's: J O'Connor 0-6 (five frees; D Hoey, P Fahy 0-2 each; E Whelan, E Conroy, S McMahon (free), O Baker 0-1 each. Clarecastle: K Ralph 0-9 (seven frees, 2 65s); T Kearse 0-2, D Quinn 0-1.
WEXFORD: This semi-final at Wexford Park was easier than the 2-16 to 2-10 scoreline suggests as holders Rathnure cruised to victory over Glynn-Barntown. Goals from Paul Codd and Seán O'Neill set them up for a 2-9 to 0-6 interval lead despite playing into the wind.
In the other Wexford semi-final, Oulart-the-Ballagh recorded a 0-17 to 1-11 victory over neighbours Buffers Alley.
SCORERS: Rathnure: P Codd 1-5; S O'Neill 1-0; T Hogan 0-5; N Higgins 0-3; C Byrne, R Flynn, J O'Connor 0-1 each. Glynn-Barntown: P Carley 1-5; T Kehoe 1-1; M Doyle 0-2; G Laffan, S Carley 0-1 each.
SCORERS: Oulart-the-Ballagh: R Jacob, S Doyle 0-4 each; D Mythen, M Storey, M Jacob 0-3 each. Buffers Alley: P Doran 1-1; J Hughes, T Dempsey 0-3 each; K Burke 0-2; W Doran, P Doyle 0-1 each.
GALWAY: Turloughmore have set up a semi-final meeting with reigning champions Portumna after a surprisingly easy 2-14 to 1-9 victory over former All-Ireland kingpins Sarsfields at Athenry yesterday.
SCORERS: Turloughmore: F Forde 0-8; C Burke 1-1; G Hurney 1-1; C Feeney, J Hession, D O'Shaughnessy, C Moore 0-1 each. Sarsfields: K Wade 1-7, J McGrath 0-2.
LONGFORD: Wolfe Tones regained the senior hurling title when they ran out 1-11 to 0-5 winners over holders Clonguish at Pearse Park on Saturday.
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