Birr keep title charge on course

Birr 2-12, Castletown 1-12

All-Ireland club hurling champions Birr kept their title charge on course with a narrow Leinster SHC semi-final win over Castletown at Portlaoise yesterday.

The match up of the Offaly and Laois champions has assumed an almost local rivalry at this stage and Birr's winning streak continued with a three-point win.

Meanwhile at Pairc Tailteann, Navan, the Meath champions, Kilmessan were completely outclassed by a DJ Carey inspired Young Ireland's who romped home 3-20 to 0-7.

Carey put in the game of the year last weekend against Dunamaggin in the Kilkenny final and followed that up with another top-notch display while Charlie Carter also excelled.

Elsewhere, Dublin champions O'Toole's went down to St Mullin's of Carlow on a 3-7 to 3-10 scoreline at the quarter-final stage too with Rathnure of Wexford also advancing to the last four at the expense of Kildare champs Naas, winning out 1-13 to 0-8.

Results in full:

Leinster SHC Quarter-Finals

Birr (Offaly) 2-12 Castletown (Laois) 1-12

Young Irelands (Kilkenny) 3-20 Kilmessan (Meath) 0-7

O'Tooles (Dublin) 3-7 St Mullin's (Carlow) 3-10

Rathnure (Wexford) 1-13 Naas (Kildare) 0-8

Connacht SHC semi-final

Four Roads (Roscommon) 2-12 Ballyhaunis (Mayo) 1-8

Tipperary SHC final

Thurles Sarsfields 0-14 Mullinahone 0-14, Semple Stadium

Clare SHC final

Sixmilebridge 3-10 Clarecastle 2-8