GAA: Birr and Ballinderry take Club titles

Birr of Offaly and Ballinderry of Derry are the new All-Ireland Hurling and Football Club Champions respectively after a terrific day’s action at Semple Stadium in Thurles. Ballinaderry beat Nemo Rangers of Cork 2-10 to 2-09 to give them their first title.

They led 1-3 to 0-5 at half time, having played into the breeze. Nemo Rangers did well in the first half with scores from Declan Basin and Colin Corkery putting them in front. The northern team then had an excellent restart with Barry McCusker, Gerard Cassidy and Declan Basin putting them 1-7 to 0-5 in front.

A close battle ensued before Gerard Cassidy put a lid on their title with a goal in the final minutes. In the hurling decider, Brian whelehan was man of the match at Centre back for Birr as they took their third Club title.

They won 2-10 to Clarinbridge’s 1-05 despite having trailed 1-4 to 1-2 at half time. They began well with a goal in opening stages from Declan Pilkinton and a second from brother Johnny in second half.