Deane goal helps Munster to victory

Leinster 0-13 Munster 1-21, Croke Park, 12pm,

Cork corner forward Joe Deane scored the only goal of the game as Munster strode confidently to next month’s Martin Donnelly & Co. Inter-provincial Hurling final with a 1-21 to 0-13 win at Croke Park this afternoon.

The 26-year-old Killeagh forward, one of 13 Rebels named in last week’s Vodafone All-Stars, scored on 40 minutes to move Munster 1-11 to 0-9 in front.

Deane turned from his right to left to drill a great shot beyond the dive of Wexford goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry.

The sides were level at 0-8 apiece at the break as Tipperary’s Eoin Kelly and Clare’s Niall Gilligan led the Munster scorers to Leinster’s Henry Shefflin and James Young – a late call-up to the Darragh Ryan-skippered Leinster.

Kilkenny’s Eddie Brennan pointed in the first minute of the second half but three Kelly points before Deane’s goal had Donie Nealon’s side edging in front.

Further scores from Gilligan, Ollie Moran, Deane and Moran again helped Munster ease ahead to victory. Young (0-2), Kilkenny’s Tommy Walsh and Wexford corner forward Michael Jacob – scoring the final point of the game – showed signs of a Leinster fightback but it proved too little too late.

Munster, with 43 Railway Cup titles, take on Connacht - 2-24 to 2-11 winners over Ulster yesterday - in the November 7th final.

Referee: T McIntyre (Antrim)