The cream of the country's hurling talent was on view at Nenagh yesterday in the Railway Cup final, but once again the competition was snubbed by the public with no more than 250 having paid through the turnstiles. It was no different in the semi-final at the same venue a day earlier, when there were 70 fewer for the high-profile clash between the home province and Leinster.
Once more Munster showed themselves to be kingpins and claimed their 43rd title against what was an all-Galway Connacht side.
The standard of hurling was high for the time of year, and if the game was short in excitement there were plenty of scores - and a sending off, Ollie Fahy for a second offence - to keep the fans interested.
Munster started on a high note and inside the opening quarter were seven points to the good, 1-6 to 0-2. The impressive Alan Browne snatched the goal on 12 minutes when he out-jumped full back Michael Healy and, when the ball broke to the ground, the Corkman kicked it past goalkeeper Liam Donoghue.
MUNSTER: B Cummins; TJ Ryan, P Maher, F Lohan; D Reale, O Moran, P Kelly; C Carey (0-1), P Queally; D Forde (0-1), K McGrath (0-6), S McGrath (0-1); E Kelly (0-2), A Browne (1-9), N Gilligan. Subs: B O'Meara (0-1) for S McGrath, D Barrett for Queally (temp), N Ronan for Forde.
CONNACHT: L Donoghue; G Kennedy, M Healy, C Moore; P Walsh, L Hodgins, D Hardiman; R Murray, A Kerins (0-1); N Hayes, M Kerins (0-1), K Broderick (0-2); D Coen (0-8), O Fahy (0-1), F Healy (1-1). Subs: J Culkin (0-1) for Murray, B Higgins for Walsh, D Hayes for Healy.
Referee: P Dunphy (Leinster)
