Birr defeat Kilcormac/Killoughey

Birr took another step towards a record sixth consecutive Offaly senior hurling title when they beat Kilcormac/Killoughey 0-15 to 0-12 in Lusmagh last evening.

Birr were five points up before Killoughey parish side opened their account in the 12th minute and by half time trailed by only two points, 0-9 to 0-7.

On the resumption, the challengers cut their arrears to the minimum, but Birr hit back every time their lead was threatened.

Brian Whelahan’s illustrious career could be drawing to a close as he again failed to line out.

Scorers: Birr; S. Whelahan 0-8, S. Brown 0-3, G. Hanniffy, D. Hayden 0-2 each. Kilcormack/Killoughey; C. Slevin 0-7, E. Lee 0-3, J. Flynn, C. Cassidy 0-1 each.