Peerless Birr brush aside Dunloy to make history

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Birr aren't just twice the team of the Ulster champions. When hurling conditions are right (and it was a perfect day in Dublin), and as they proved in the semi-final win Athenry four weeks ago in Ennis, they are twice the team of any club side at the moment.

This, their record-setting (for hurling) fourth title in just nine years, is proof-positive of that.

"We knew you were great we just didn't know how great," was Dunloy chairman Pat Cunning's gracious comment in the Birr dressing-room afterwards. Front to back, start to finish, this was a wonderful team display from the Offaly champions.

"Everything went to plan," said Birr's master tactician, manager Padjoe Whelahan. "Ground hurling, you can't beat it in Croke Park, fast ball. Last year, Dunloy hit us in the first 15 minutes, but this year we hit them, and that was the difference. We got our noses in front and that's all we wanted."

Coming in as underdogs, seeking their first title on their third attempt, Dunloy needed to hit the ground running, then needed everything to go their way. Neither happened.

Getting no room from a swarming Birr defence, losing midfield, where Barry Whelehan, was the dominant force for the 60 minutes (my man of the match), Dunloy were four points to one down after 10 minutes, five/two down after 24, and struggling to make any impression on this game.

On the 40, captain on captain, Gary Hanniffy was causing Dunloy's talismanic centre-back Gary O'Kane all kinds of trouble, so much so that O'Kane was shifted to the wing, a huge psychological blow and recognised as such by Hanniffy.

He said: "They seemed to panic a little moving him out of the centre. When I saw that it gave me a bit of a lift. I wasn't expecting it, to be honest. Some days it runs for you like that."

The Dunloy defence was working as hard as their Birr counterparts and almost as effectively. Almost, because between Dunloy clearances, Declan Pilkington (another huge game), Simon Whelehan (good day from placed balls), Paul Molloy and the Hanniffy brothers Rory and Gary all struck for points.

Even at this early stage, it was becoming obvious to lift both themselves and their huge following, Dunloy needed a goal.

Just when that seemed a live possibility, a super under-pressure 24th-minute catch off a long free by Nigel Elliott and a pass to brother Ally in open space less than 20 metres out, the referee Sean McMahon blew a loud and premature blast. Play was called back for a foul on Nigel Elliott. A pointed free resulted but how Dunloy rued the lack of an advantage rule in GAA.

Before the break, Birr tacked on three more points, all from the sharpened blade of Simon Whelehan, to take a reasonable five-point lead to the dressing-room.

Not an insurmountable deficit by any means, and Dunloy set about reducing it early, two drilled frees from Greg O'Kane bringing them within three But that was as close as Dunloy got.

Though their inside line of Paddy Richmond, Ally Elliott and Martin Curry looked a real threat, Brian Whelehan had his outer defences well marshalled, Franks and Claffey doing well on the flanks, midfielders Barry Whelehan and Johnny Pilkington (though not as obvious as usual) supplementing that line as needed.

Gradually, inexorably, Birr imposed their will on the game and the points started to flow. Simon Whelehan had four from frees, Declan Pilkington, Molloy, the two Hanniffys again and impressive sub Stephen Browne with a brace crushed the effort of Dunloy.

And it was a praiseworthy effort O'Kane with a further three points, one apiece from the full-forward trio. However, they needed a few goals.

When the green flag came, it was at the opposite end; 56th minute, Birr already looking safe at 0-17 to 0-10, long Brian Whelehan free off Dunloy keeper Gareth McGhee's hand (an excellent game overall), onto the crossbar, rebound, Declan Pilkington most alert. Disappointing for Dunloy, never got into their stride at all, but credit to Birr, who didn't allow them to do so. A magnificent side that just seems to be getting better and better.

Scorers for Birr: S. Whelehan 0-8 (0-7 frees); D. Pilkington 1-2; G. Hanniffy, R. Hanniffy, P. Molloy, S. Browne, 0-2 each; Brian Whelehan 0-1 (65).

Dunloy: Greg O'Kane 0-5 (0-3 frees); A. Elliott 0-3 (0-2 frees); P. Richmond 0-2; M. Curry 0-1.

BIRR: B. Mullins; G. Cahill, J. Erritty, JP O'Meara; D. Franks, Brian Whelehan, N. Claffey; Barry Whelehan, J. Pilkington; R. Hanniffy, G. Hanniffy, L. Power; P. Molloy, S. Whelehan, D. Pilkington.

Subs: S. Browne (Power 39). Blood subs D. Hayden (Barry Whelehan 22/25).

DUNLOY: G. McGhee; D. McMullan, S. Mullan, F. McMullan; M. Molloy, G. O'Kane, P. McMullan; C. McGuckian, C. Cunning; N. Elliott, G. O'Kane, L. Richmond; P. Richmond, A. Elliott, M. Curry.

Subs: E. McKee (Canning 46). Blood-subs M. McClements (F. McMullan 2/4).

Referee: S. McMahon poor job, much too eager on the whistle.