Former All Star Eoin Kelly was back in action for Mullinahone after an extended lay-off, and helped guide them to a 1-21 to 2-16 win over Ballingarry in an exciting South Tipperary SHC semi-final at Fethard.

Templederry had to survive a late Silvermines surge before claiming a place in the club’s first ever North senior hurling final courtesy of a 0-25 to 3-13 win in Nenagh.

After 33 years in the senior grade, Boherlahan-Dualla are relegated to intermediate for next year, following their 3-20 to 1-12 defeat by Moyne-Templetuohy in the relegation play-off at Holycross.

Ballina produced the shock of a busy weekend of Tipp hurling action with a 2-17 to 2-14 win over a very fancied Kilruane MacDonaghs in the North senior hurling championship at Puckane.

Match of the day in a busy weekend of divisional senior hurling championship games was the Mid Tipp clash of county champions, Thurles Sarsfields and divisional title-holders, Drom-Inch at Holycross yesterday.