Erin's Own take hurling sevens title

Cork club Erin's Own collected the AIB Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Sevens crown at Glenalbyn last night, beating Portumna of Galway in a tightly-contested final.

The annual event, which saw 40 senior clubs flock to south Dublin, was another big success for Crokes, who were running it for the 34th year.

Erin's Own, the club of Cork full-forward Brian Corcoran, won the title for the first time as they beat Portumna 5-8 to 3-12 in the decider. Fergus and Eoin Murphy guided them to victory, hitting 4-8 between them with goalkeeper Shay Bowen pulling off a series of superb saves.

Portumna, who had Damien and Kevin Hayes in fine form, also lost last year's final to Tipp outfit Mullinahone.

Erin's Own beat Turloughmore (Galway) and the Garda College in the knockout stages, while Portumna ended the interest of Tipperary sides Thurles Sarsfields and Portroe.

In their 6-8 to 5-4 semi-final defeat to the Galway men, Sarsfields, who had won their three group games, had Tipp star Eddie Enright sent off.

Meanwhile, Mayo's Ballyhaunis won the Shield competition, beating Clonkill of Westmeath 5-9 to 3-14 after extra-time.

2006 AIB KILMACUD CROKES ALL-IRELAND HURLING SEVENS SENIOR TOURNAMENT:

RESULTS -

Quarter-Finals: Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 7-5 O'Tooles (Dublin) 4-4 Portroe (Tipperary) 3-2 Portumna (Galway) 4-9 Garda College (Tipperary) 4-6 Erin's Own (Cork) 7-8 St. Catherine's (Cork) 0-8 Turloughmore (Galway) 4-2

Semi-Finals: Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 5-4 Portumna (Galway) 6-8 Erin's Own (Cork) 1-12 Turloughmore (Galway) 1-11

Final: Erin's Own (Cork) 5-8 Portumna (Galway) 3-12