GAA: Whelehan and Birr victorious in Kilkenny

Birr 2-10, Castletown 0-05 (full-time)

Simon Whelehan made a glorious return after injury to inspire Offaly champions Birr to a convincing victory over Castletown (Laois) in the AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship final replay at Nolan Park.

Whelehan, who missed the drawn game because of a knee injury, shot 1-08 as Birr claimed their fifth provincial crown in emphatic fashion.

Simon shot the opening two points and afterwards his name was all over this final - by half-time he had six points to his credit.

However, it was Stephen Brown's 28th minute goal that really hurt Castletown, who were 0-04 to 1-07 adrift at the break.

Three minutes into the second half, Simon Whelehan finished off the opposition. He walloped a powerful ground shot to the net to stretch the difference to a match-winning 2-07 to 0-05.