O'Driscoll inspires Portroe

Starting under wet skies and ending some nine hours later on a dry Saturday evening, Tipperary claimed the first share of the championship weekend when Portroe picked up their first All-Ireland Sevens title at the Glenalbyn playing fields of host club, Kilmacud Crokes.

After racing through 54 matches between 32 teams, the battle for the AIB Cup came down to Portroe and the Wexford side Glynn Barntown, who also came to Dublin looking for their first title in the 26 year history of the seven-a-side tournament.

But four goals inside the first 15-minute half ensured Portroe were never in danger of conceding their early advantage and they eased home 4-10 to 1-7.

Portroe were not short of the point-takers throughout the day. Barry O'Driscoll proved their most consistent provider, including a fair share of the goals. Along with John Hogan and John Maloney, O'Driscoll was central to the Portroe success. He picked up two of the first half goals in the final which left Portroe clear 4-5 to 1-5 at the break. The pace slackened towards the end but Portroe were well capable of defending their lead so that Glynn Barntown didn't get another word in.

None of the other teams on Saturday could have argued that Portroe were the team to beat over the course of the day. They sent seven goals past Garryspillane in the quarterfinal and then two past the highly-fancied Clarecastle in the semi-final, building on a two-point lead at half-time to end on a winning score of 2-11 to 2-5. Even at that stage, their confidence appeared unbreakable.

Glynn Barntown, however, seemed to struggle that bit more as the day progressed. Convincing group winners, they then eased past Bishopstown 4-4 to 0-5 in the quarter-final just as the morning rain finally eased off. Their semi-final with Borris Ileagh of Tipperary, champions of two years back, was a much tighter affair which ending on level terms. Borris Ileagh were always headed, trailing by four at the break, but a late goal from Joe Loughnane forced the 5-minutes a side extra-time. Another goal put them briefly in front but the Wexford club regained enough composure to see them through to the final.

Elsewhere, Kiltomer of Galway were slightly stronger than Na Piarsaigh to win the under-16 tournament while Naomh Moninne of Louth were convincing 3-8 to 1-1 winners over Na Magha (Derry) in the Shield competition. But as the sun went down and the teams assembled for the finals, there were few complaints from players or spectators as to the day's entertainment value.