Miserable weather in Thurles yesterday failed to dampen the enthusiasm of new All-Ireland hurling and football champions Birr and Ballinderry. Both wins were historic.

Whereas it was the Ulster champions' first title, Birr were winning a record third - joining Athenry, Blackrock and Ballyhale Shamrocks at the top of the roll of honour.

There was an unfortunate irony in the ceaseless rain that spoiled much of the afternoon for a smaller than usual attendance of just over 16,000.

With the finals out of Croke Park, because of the redevelopment work, and into Thurles for the first time in 10 years, expectations were high for the meeting of Birr and Clarinbridge on hurling's favourite pitch.

The weather may have put paid to that, but Birr still gave a great display in hostile conditions. A goal after 30 seconds by Declan Pilkington set them on the way, and his brother Johnny's first touch after being switched to full forward ended in a second goal in the 51st minute that wrapped up the title.

It was another big day for the Whelahan family from Birr. Father Pad-Joe managed the team, Simon captained, Barry had a fine match at centrefield and Brian - as is his custom in All-Ireland finals - ended up as Man of the Match.

"The biggest question was asked and we came up trumps," he said. "I'm so proud of that team. When we put on that jersey, there's no team we fear.

"I know it's hard for Clarinbridge losing an All-Ireland final because we lost here 10 years ago on this pitch.

"We were only two points down (at half-time) after hurling against a gale. We were delighted but we knew it would be a big challenge.

"Then we got a great start to the second half - within five minutes we were a point up. And then Johnny went in full forward and the first ball that went in - a goal.

"It was our day. We probably got the breaks but we made a lot of breaks ourselves."

In the football final, Nemo Rangers - top of football's roll of honour - went down to defeat for a second successive year. Trailing by a point at half-time after playing with the wind, the Cork side looked buried when Ballinderry extended the lead to five barely 10 minutes into the second half.

But Nemo responded and cut the deficit to one, and with the match on the line, Gerard Cassidy came to Ballinderry's rescue with a goal, coolly set up by captain Adrian McGuckin.

Thereafter the Ulster champions added the grace notes before retiring to a club function in Thurles that was probably attended by all 300 households in their tiny parish, which straddles the Derry-Tyrone border.