LIKE their counterparts on the intercounty stage, the Ulster champions are the perennial underdogs of the All-Ireland club hurling championship; a lot of patronising guff in the national media beforehand but, when it comes down to picking the probable champion, never given a real chance.

Athenry 2-22 Cork 4-15

St Mel’s, Longford 2-14 St Pat’s, Navan 0-17

Birr 0-15 Athenry 0-6

Athenry 1-16 Sarsfields 3-7