Middletown the masters as Effin’s final dream shattered

THE end of the dream for gallant Effin in Birr yesterday in this entertaining All-Ireland club intermediate hurling-final.

It wasn’t the expected result, as the high-flying Limerick and Munster champions were hotly favoured to join neighbours Charleville in an All-Ireland finals double-header in Croke Park on February 11.

Charleville duly kept their part of the bargain, overcoming Fullen Gaels in the junior semi-final yesterday, but Effin had neither excuse nor complaint after this one. On a perfect afternoon for hurling, a reasonable sod, they were outworked and outplayed by a well-drilled Middletown outfit.