Slick Stradbally too strong for An Rinn

Stradbally 3-18 An Rinn 1-03

Centre forward Shane Ahearne hit 12 points, including nine from play, in a dazzling shooting display.

An Rinn, in their first semi for 88 years, were without top scorer Donie Breathnach but they received a shot in the arm after 70 seconds when Bilí Breatnach retrieved a Shane Ó Ceallaigh delivery and fired home. Four Shane Ahearne points (0-3 from play) nudged them ahead after 18 minutes. The Ahearne brothers combined as Robert tagged on two points with Tony Grey fisting over. Shane then sent in three on the trot as they eased 0-10 to 1-0 clear at the break.

A deflected effort from David Grey found its way to the net on 34 minutes and there was no way back for An Rinn. With 10 minutes left, Tony Grey teed up Robert Ahearne and he curled his shot into the corner. Substitute Luke Casey then cracked one in off the crossbar on 55 minutes for the rampant Reds.

Scorers for Stradbally: S Ahearne 0-12 (3fs); R Ahearne 1-3 (2fs); D Grey 1-2; L Casey 1-0; T Grey 0-1.

Scorers for An Rinn: B Breathnach 1-2 (2fs); L Ó Lonáin 0-1.

STRADBALLY: O Costelloe; P Doyle, S Lannon, A Doyle; K Lawlor, E Rockett, T Grey; M Walsh, P Kiely; J Coffey, S Ahearne, T Connors; D Grey, R Ahearne, G Power.

Subs: J Mullaney for S Ahearne (50); C Casey for Power (52); L Casey for A Doyle (52); T Curran for Coffey (56); P Connors for R Ahearne (57).

AN RINN: A Ó hEochaigh; C Ó Murchu, S Ó Cuirrín, N Ó Murchu; C Ó Manacháin, D Breathnach, E Breathnach; L Ó Lonáin, S Ó Ceallaigh; F Ó hAodh, L Ó Corraoin, T Ó hUallacháin; B Breathnach, C Ó Conchúir, F Ó Cuirrín.

Subs: J De Barún for Ó Manacháin (ht); F Ó Ceallaigh for S Ó Ceallaigh (ht); C Tóibín for F Ó Cuirrín (42); T Ó Cuirrín for E Breathnach (52). Referee: A Kissane.