Nire too powerful for injury-hit Ardmore

Nire 1-9 Ardmore 0-8

Niall Hennessy, who captained Waterford in last Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final, and Billy Harty, who contributed three points of his side's tally against the Dubs, viewed the game on crutches and the handicap was too much as Nire deservedly carved out their four-point victory.

The outstanding Shane Walsh opened Nire's account with a marvellous 7th-minute point and things got worse for Ardmore on the quarter hour when Brian Wall rattled their crossbar only for Pat Walsh to gather the rebound and crash the ball to the net.

It took Ardmore 17 minutes to get off the mark with a Jamesie O'Donnell point from a free, but Nire, with Liam Lawlor superb at wing back, continued to enjoy monopoly possession and with Walsh and Wall adding to their tally with quality points, they weren't flattered by their 1-7 to 0-3 half-time lead.

The Nire went 21 minutes on the resumption before adding to their tally, but Ardmore's possession wasn't translated into scores.

The margin was down to four points by the three-quarter stage after Johnny Hennessy, Jamesie O'Donnell, and Alan North had all found the range.

Tom Flynn's beautifully taken point in the 51sth-minute provided breathing space, but while Ardmore again dominated the closing stages, further points by O'Donnell and Johnny Hennessy with one in reply from a Connie Power free just wasn't enough to avoid defeat.

Scorers for Nire; P. Walsh (1-0); S. Walsh (0-3); C. Power (0-2, frees); T. Flynn (0-2); L. Lawlor (0-1).

Ardmore; J. O'Donnell (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 45); J. Hennessy (0-2); Cathal Hennessy, Clinton Hennessy, A. North (0-1) each.

NIRE: M. Doocey; J. Moore. D. Ryan. M. Byrne; J. Walsh. I. Walsh. L. Lawlor; A. Ryan. D. Phelan; G. Walsh. C. Power. B. Wall; P.Walsh. S. Walsh. T. Flynn.

ARDMORE: D. Lenane; A. Flavin. M. Supple. A.Ahearne; Cathal Hennessy. D. Prendergast. R. Hennessy; W. Hennessy. J. Hennessy; A. North. S. Prendergast. M. O'Connor; J. O'Donnell. J. Conway. Clinton Hennessy; Subs; C. O'Connor for M. O'Connor; D. O'Reilly for Conway; P. Beausang for O'Reilly.

Referee: Brian Power, Mount Sion.