GAA: Birr overcome Galway team

Offaly champions Birr won the AIB All-Ireland club senior hurling title for the third time at Thurles today where they easily overcame Clarenbridge of Galway.

Sun, 17 Mar, 2002 - 17:38

Birr -2-10

Clarenbridge - 1-5

Offaly champions Birr won the AIB All-Ireland club senior hurling title for the third time at Thurles today where they easily overcame Clarenbridge of Galway.

To add to the title won in '95 and '98 Birr struck early with a goal inside a minute from Declan Pilkington.

This set the tone of the game with a very competitive Birr side knocking the Galway men out of their stride. Dave Donohue had a Clarenbridge goal in the fourteenth minute to help his side to an interval lead of 1-4 to 1-2.

With the wind behind them it was all Birr in the second half.

They shot five unanswered points in ten minutes to open a three point lead. Johnny Pilkington's goal in the 20th minute clinched their win.

Nine of the Birr side were on the sucessful '98 team. To set the seal on a great day for the club, Brian Whelehan was chosen man of the match.