ONCE their dynamic half-forward Brian Hanley gave them the lead with a point in the second minute and followed it with a goal three minutes later, there was no looking back for St Mary's, Athenry who went on to inflict a crushing defeat on St Gabriel's in the All-Ireland club hurling championship quarter-final at Ruislip yesterday.

For the bulk of the hour the visitors demonstrated superior stick-work, support play and fitness. Another key factor was their ability to score long-range points from difficult angles.

The sending off of half-forward Shane Ivors early in the second half did not help the cause of the home team, although the result was already a foregone conclusion.

Athenry enjoyed midfield dominance through Brendan Keogh and Colin Byrne, whose superb service was put to good use by an attack in which Pascal Healy, Hanley and Joe Rabbitte claimed the chief honours. Behind them full-back Gerry Keane and centre half Brian Feeney blocked the path to goal.