Athenry win Connacht hurling title

Sunday, 17 November 2002 19:20

Athenry of Galway comprehensively beat Roscommon club Four Roads by 1-19 to 0-9 in the Connacht Senior Hurling final. Eugene Cloonan scored eight points, including seven frees for Athenry, while David Donoghue scored their goal. Athenry had led 0-9 to 0-3 at the interval.

In a thrilling Munster Senior Hurling semi-final, Sixmilebridge came through to win 2-13 to 1-15 over Blackrock. Cyril Crowe scored a goal for Sixmilebridge inside the first minute, while David Cashman netted for Blackrock after eight minutes.

Sixmilebridge were down by 1-5 to 1-8 at half-time, but the Clare club scored four points without reply early in the second half to take the lead. Niall Gilligan got their second goal eight minutes into the second half, to put them four points up by the tenth minute of the second period.

Blackrock came back and were one point up with five minutes to go, but Sixmilebridge finished strongly and substitute Paul Fitzpatrick scored the winning point in the second minute of injury time.

In the other Munster Senior Hurling Semi-Final, Mount Sion of Waterford overcame Mullinahone of Tipperary by 2-12 to 0-15 at Walsh Park.

In the Leinster Senior Hurling semi-final, Young Irelands of Kilkenny beat Rathnure of Wexford by 3-11 to 0-11. Young Irelands' goals came from DJ Carey, who scored twice, one from a free, and David Carter, brother of Charlie. Stephen Summers and Robbie Codd were sent off for Rathnure.

In the other Leinster Senior Hurling semi-final, Birr of Offaly hammered St Mullins of Carlow 4-21 to 0-8 in Portlaoise.

Filed by Greg McKevitt