Hat-trick hero Liam Watson was the toast of Loughgiel this weekend with his 3-7 tally helping to hold off the challenge of hot favourites Coolderry in this All-Ireland club senior hurling final in chilly Croke Park on Saturday.

Loughgiel (Antrim) 4-13 Coolderry (Offaly) 0-17

“No complaints,” was the reaction of veteran Na Piarsaigh forward Damien Quigley after Saturday’s comprehensive extra-time loss to Loughgiel Shamrocks in this All-Ireland Club SHC semi-final at Parnell Park.

Loughgiel (Antrim) 0-27 Na Piarsiaigh (Limerick) 2-13 (aet)

IT took Loughgiel half an hour to come to grips with the conditions in yesterday’s rain-lashed Ulster Club SHC final against Ballycran at Casement Park, but once the Shamrocks turned on the style they demolished the Ards men.

Antrim 0-12 Limerick 3-22

ANTRIM fielded close to a second-string side against surprise packets Armagh in yesterday’s Ulster SHC final at Casement Park, but the management cast more than a few anxious looks towards the subs’ bench in the closing stages.

FERMANAGH captain Barry Owens has sensationally claimed there were county board officials wishing the team were going to be beaten by London in last Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier.

A TOTAL of 2-6 from Ryan Murray and Kevin Quinn enabled Antrim to get their Ulster MFC off to a flying start in Ballybofey yesterday.

GOALS win matches, that’s what they say,” said Loughgiel’s magnificent centre-back Johnny Campbell after this hard-fought All-Ireland club SHC semi-final in Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

O’Loughlin Gaels 3-10 Loughgiel 0-10

TOM KENNY and Eoin Cadogan have shaken off injury worries to make the Cork starting side for Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, as manager Denis Walsh makes three personnel and three positional changes for the clash against Tipperary.

Championship debutant Thomas McCann will lead the Antrim attack for Sunday's Leinster SHC quarter-final showdown with Offaly at Parnell Park (throw-in 3.30pm).

Tony Hayes (K Club) set the pace after the opening round of the 54 holes Irish Seniors Amateur Close Championship, sponsored by Tourism Malaysia, when he shot a one under par 71 at Roscommon Golf Club.

Joint Antrim managers Dominic McKinley and Terence McNaughton have made four changes to their side from the one which lost to Dublin in the Leinster quarter-final, for this Sunday's Ulster SHC decider against Down at Casement Park, Belfast.

THERE were very few positives to be taken from this historic Leinster SHC quarter-final in Croke Park yesterday, certainly not for Antrim who, after years of agitation, were making their first appearance in the province.

DUBLIN 2-16 ANTRIM 0-12

New York 1-14 Antrim 2-20, Canton

Antrim 5-13 Carlow 1-07

CARLOW captain Robbie Foley texted manager Eoin Garvey before their Christy Ring Cup semi-final against Down to tell him he was sure they would beat the Ulster side.

Malachy Dallas will hope to cover over the cracks left by the injured Liam Watson for Antrim's tilt at Christy Ring Cup glory on Sunday (Croke Park, throw-in 2pm).

The Antrim football squad will take on an experimental look for the impending Dr McKenna Cup campaign with up to 13 newcomers included.

New Antrim manager Jim McKernan wants retired midfielder Jim Connolly to go back on his decision to quit the inter-county hurling.

Kilkenny 6-33 Antrim 1-09

Offaly 5-17 Antrim 0-18

Antrim 2-22 Down 1-18

KILDARE have been forced to make changes for Sunday’s Leinster SFC clash with Wicklow in Croke Park because of injuries to a number of regular players.

There are three clashes down for decision in today's final round of the National Hurling League relegation section.

THE Mount Sion duo of goalkeeper Ian O’Regan and corner-forward Sean Ryan are the Waterford debutants in tomorrow’s NHL showdown with champions Kilkenny at Nowlan Park.

Antrim will be without the considerable talent of their Dunloy contingent as they look to blood a number of new players in the upcoming league campaign.