Defending champions Gort CS powered to victory against their Loughrea opponents in this A final at Ballinderreen yesterday.

Gort started well, with a point after only 26 seconds from Joe Gantley, but midway through the first half the sides were tied at 0-4 each.

Gort then sprinted into the lead with points between the 18th and 23rd minutes from Barry Coen (two) and David Greene, and on 25 minutes centre forward Stephen Carey struck for a vital goal, which helped them to a 1-9 to 0-5 halftime lead.

Gort, who had 11 of last year's team in their starting line-up started the second half well with a succession of points, and by the 49th minute they were 1-16 to 0-6 ahead.

The second Gort goal arrived on 54 minutes through their topscorer, corner forward Greene.

By the finish the lead was all of 17 points.

GORT CS: J O'Leary; J O'Connor, C Crotty, M Fitzsimon; A McNamara (0-1), A Diviney (0-2), S Kavanagh; J Fordham (0-1), P Mahony; C Brennan, S Carey (1-0), B Coen (0-4); T Lee (0-3), J Gantly (0-3), D Greene (1-4). Subs: C Burke (0- 1) for C Brennan (15 mins); D Moran for S Carey (52 mins); S Moylan for J Fordham (55 mins).

ST RAPHAEL'S, LOUGHREA: B Corban; G Sullivan, A Spain, A Whyte; G Hogan, M Donoghue, A Gaynor; B McMahon (0-1), K Kavanagh; B Loughnane, E Keary (0-1), J Maher (0-5); A Duane (0-1), S Creaven, G Glynn. Subs: E Monaghan for B Loughnane (42 mins); T Broderick for G Glynn (50 mins).

Referee: M Donoghue (Athenry).