Athenry ... 0-15 Carnmore ... 0-8: A powerful finish by Athenry saw them move a step closer to a seventh Galway hurling title after yesterday's semi-final at Kenny Park in their home town.

While few expected Carnmore to win, they put up a great show for most of the hour, led at half-time - by 0-6 to 0-5 with Shane Hynes hitting three points - and only faded in the final quarter when Athenry stepped up the pressure.

After failing to score for 15 minutes of the second half, Carnmore could manage only two points from frees by Shane Hynes and a 65 late on as Athenry cruised to victory and a step nearer the title they last held in 2000 before losing last year's final.

SCORERS: Athenry: E Cloonan 0-6, 4 frees, one 65, D Donohue 0-3, J Rabbitte 0-2, P Higgins, S Donohue, D Moran and J Conway 0-1 each; Carnmore: S Hynes 0-5, 4 frees, TJ Hynes 0-2, 2 frees, JP O'Connell 0-1.