Two goals in the opening half, from Shane Hurley and Jason Lawlor, laid the victory foundations for Good Counsel, New Ross at Timahoe yesterday.

Good Counsel ... 2-10

Carmelite Moate ... 0-10

After the break Carmelite Moate, trailing 2-6 to 0-3, improved slightly as Rory Guinan landed four points. They also had a penalty saved in the final minute.

NEW ROSS: S Dunphy; R Corrigan, I Duffin, L O'Connor; T Frisby, N Collins, S Stafford; P Doran, T Hendricks; G O'Grady (0-5), D Bradley, D Hurley; J Lawlor (1-0), L Colfer (0-2), S Hurley (1-1). Subs: S White (0-1) for P Doran, D Shannon (0-1) for J Lawlor.

CARMELITE MOATE: D Howard; M Rosney, J Cunningham, D Donoghue; S Hackett, K Larkin, B Mullarkey; D Mullen, N Grennon (0-2); A Mullen, M Fox (0-1), R Guinan (0-6); A Kelly, D Adamson (0-1), P Smyth. Subs: P Martin for P Smyth, D Brennan for D Mullen.

Referee: P Devlin (Kilkenny).