O’Donovan Rossa and Bennettsbridge claimed AIB All-Ireland Intermediate and Junior Club Hurling titles respectively in Croke Park this afternoon.
Despite leaking two second-half goals, Antrim's O’Donovan Rossa held out to take silverware, with a 1-09 to 2-03 win over London side Kilburn Gaels.
Rossa got off to a powerful start, and led by 0-02 to 0-00 after six minutes, with brothers Seán and Stephen Shannon claiming a point each early on.
Defences got on top, with scores at a premium, and it took Rossa a further 17 minutes to add to their score, as Kilburn fought back.
The London Senior champions levelled the tie after 17 minutes, with points from Keith Killilea and Stephen Lambert.
However, Rossa came good before the break, with Gerard Walsh and Sean Shannon helping them to a 0-04 to 0-02 interval lead.
Rossa made an explosive start to the second half, with a Stephen Beatty kicked goal to open up a five-point lead.
Henry Vaughan and Stephen Shannon traded points, but scores were at a premium, with a Killilea goal cutting the gap to two points with 20 minutes remaining.
Walsh’s 46th minute point was Rossa’s first score in almost 10 minutes, but Kilburn never gave up.
Killilea bagged his second goal in the 51st minute, but Rossa scored two unanswered points late on.
Earlier there was also disappointment for British champions Fullen Gaels, who lost their second Junior decider in three years, as Kilkenny's Bennettsbridge claimed a 3-19 to 1-08 win.
Although the sides were level twice in the opening five and a half minutes, Bennettsbridge drove on and were fully deserving of this win.
Scores from Cormac Wafer and defender Aidan Cleere edged them 0-04 to 0-02 ahead after seven minutes.
Cork native Colm O’Callaghan had a chance to put his side ahead with a ninth minute penalty, but only managed a point, and from there Bennettsbridge drove on.
Brian Lannon scored their opening goal in the 12th minute, with all of the full-forward line netting goals before the break as three-pointers from Hugh O’Neill and Liam Blanchfield helped them to a 3-11 to 0-06 interval lead.
Vincent Morrissey kept Kilburn in touch from play and placed balls, but was handed a straight red card early on the restart for striking.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Fullen worked hard, but Bennettsbridge scored six unanswered points between the 48th and 57th minutes.
A Tom Corcoran goal in 60th minute was simply too little too late from the Lancashire side.
