BIRR, displaying better balance all over the field and an ability to pick off long-range points at vital stages, saw off the stubborn challenge of Glenmore in this absorbing semi-final at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday.
The attendance of 3,000 was treated to an excellent game in which the commitment was total and the hurling of a high quality.
Birr, All-Ireland club champions of 1992 and '98, got an ideal start when after five minutes Declan Pilkington crashed home a fine goal for the first score of the game.
After that, Glenmore were playing catch-up and, in fact, never got closer than two points for the remainder of the game.
At half-time Birr led 1-6 to 0-4. But Glenmore were right back in the game five minutes after the restart when their full forward John Phelan kicked a fine goal to reduce the deficit to three points.
Phelan scored 1-3 from play but notably the other five Glenmore forwards failed to score from play.
The Kilkenny champions did have a chance to level in the 51st minute from a penalty, with Birr leading 1-10 to 1-7. But Ray Heffernan's blistering shot was brilliantly saved by the Birr defence.
Thereafter Brian Whelahan, man of the match Johnny Pilkington, Gary Hannify and Simon Whelahan saw the Offaly champions home. Simon Whelahan wore the number two jersey but played at left full forward and contributed four vital points from play.
Glenmore's defence was heroic with the O'Connor brothers, Eddie and Willie, and also wing back Paddy Mullally outstanding. But in attack Glenmore failed badly - they shot 14 wides to Birr's seven.
BIRR: B Mullins; S Whelahan (0-4), J Errity, N Claffey; G Cahill, B Whelahan, B Hennessy; J Pilkington (0-1), R Hannify (0-1); L Power, B Whelahan, D Pilkington (1-0); D Shanks, O O'Neill (0-3), G Hannify (0-2). Sub: D Hannify (0- 1) for Power.
GLENMORE: F Kirwan; F Freyne, E O'Connor, M Aylward; P Mullally, W O'Connor, J Walsh; S Dollard (0-1), R Mullally;, P Fitzgerald, P J O'Connor, R Heffernan (0-2); M Phelan, J Phelan (1-3), M Murphy. Subs: D Mullally (0-2) for M Phelan, S Verker for Fitzgerald.
Referee: P Ahern (Carlow).
