SHANE MCGRATH insists Tipperary are better equipped to retain their All-Ireland hurling crown than the team that captured the title in 2001.

UL 3-18 UUJ 3-7

New manager John Meyler watched his Kerry hurlers fall to a 3-15 to 1-15 defeat at the hands of UL this afternoon, with Kilkenny's Matt Ruth grabbing the clinching goal for the Limerick students.

Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-14 James Stephens 1-11

IT hasn’t been a great year so far for county senior hurling finals, one-sided editions in several marquee hurling counties, with Newtownshandrum (Cork), Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary), Adare (Limerick) all crowned champions without ever really being tested.

A POWERFUL and consummate display propelled UL past the challenge of Cork IT in yesterday’s Ulster Bank Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final in the Clan na nGael Fontenoy club in Ringsend.

Club senior hurling titles in Kilkenny, Clare, Meath, Kildare, Mayo, Wicklow and London were up for grabs this afternoon, with Ballyhale Shamrocks amongst those tasting victory as they captured their third successive Kilkenny crown.

Portumna 2-17 James Stephens 0-11