Shinrone upset the odds to land historic Offaly title

HISTORY was made in the Offaly hurling championship when Shinrone won their first-ever county senior title. In what was the club’s first final appearance since 1960, the underdogs made light of history and tradition by taking down the powerhouse that is Kilcormac/Killoughey, and in some style too, winning on a 0-26 to 2-13 scoreline – one they were full value for. A late goal by the losers couldn’t take the gloss off this victory for Shinrone. In Laois, Clough-Ballacolla bagged a three-in-a-row of senior hurling titles, running out comfortable 1-24 to 0-16 winners against Camross. In doing so, they bridged a gap of nearly 100 years since they last held such a grip on the county title. And after last season’s run to the Leinster final, they will be keen to raise a gallop again in their provincial campaign. The Westmeath senior hurling final went the way of Castletown Geoghegan, who made up for the heartbreak of losing recent deciders by beating Clonkill by 0-22 to 1-14. It was a significant turnaround, too, from their meeting in the early rounds of the championship and is the club’s 14th senior title. They had a six-point cushion at the break and kept Clonkill at arm’s length throughout. Shane Walsh has certainly settled quickly into life as a Kilmacud Crokes player, hitting eight of Kilmacud’s 12 points as the southside club won through to a Dublin senior football final against Na Fianna. Paul Mannion, though, was a notable absentee from the matchday squad, having injured his ankle in the previous round. A Luke Connolly penalty midway through the second half helped send Nemo Rangers through to the Cork county senior football final. His strike gave the favourites some breathing space against Ballincollig, and they won out on a 1-16 to 0-9 scoreline. Nemo will face St Finbarr’s, who beat Castlehaven by 2-17 to 1-16 in the other semi-final, second-half goals from Steven Sherlock and Brian Hayes proving crucial.