County finals round-up

This afternoon saw Ballyboden St. Enda's and Thurles Sarsfields claim Senior Hurling Championship titles in Dublin and Tipperary respectively, while Loughrea and Clarinbridge will have to meet again following their drawn Galway decider at Pearse Stadium.

In Dublin, Ballyboden secured their fourth SHC crown in succession, thanks to a 3-17 to 1-10 win over St Vincent's at Parnell Park. It was a fourth ever county success for the Firhouse Road outfit, after they halted the Marino side's bid to win their first Dublin SHC title since 1953.

Ballyboden led by 1-11 to 0-8 at half-time, with Conor McCormack netting the lone goal of the opening 30mins. David Curtin also contributed heavily for the eventual winners. He scored eight first half points, including four from play.

Vincent's kept in touch thanks to the efforts of Thomas Connolly, Diarmuid Connolly and Stephen Loughlin. The game continued to be a keenly-contested encounter on the restart, with Cathal Billings and Thomas Connolly reducing the deficit.

However, a goal-scoring rush soon put the result beyond doubt. Niall McMorrow and Conal Keaney netted for St. Enda's side, with Thomas Connolly grabbing Vincent's only goal. With 13mins remaining, Ballyboden held an eight-point lead.

But Vincent's offered little response as Ballyboden closed out a well-merited win, and now have a Leinster Club SHC semi-final date with Kilkenny champions O'Loughlin Gaels to look forward to in two weeks' time at Nowlan Park.

Thurles Sarsfields were crowned Tipperary SHC champions for the second successive year, following a 1-16 to 1-7 win over Clonoulty-Rossmore.

Sarsfields took a 0-9 to 1-4 lead into half-time, with Clonoulty-Rossmore's John O'Neill rippling the net in the 29th minute. Tom Butler, Pa Bourke and Denis Maher were among Sarsfields' first half scorers.

Clonoulty-Rossmore's quest for a first title since 1997 nosedived on the restart, as they were held to just three points in the closing 30 minutes.

Sarsfields showed their class when pulling clear, and Tipp star Lar Corbett grabbed his side's only goal as the game entered the final quarter.

2010 All-Ireland Senior and Under-21 medal winner Padraic Maher picked up the man-of-the-match award after the game.

Thurles Sarsfields will now turn their attentions to the AIB Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship, in which they face Limerick's Kilmallock in a semi-final on November 14.

At Pearse Stadium, the Galway SHC final finished in a draw for the first time since 1998. There was nothing to separate Clarinbridge and Loughrea, who played out a 2-11 to 1-14 stalemate.

Clarinbridge led by 2-6 to 0-7 at the interval, with Paul Coen and Mark Kerins netting their goals.

Loughrea bounced back on the restart, Johnny Coen slotting home a penalty goal to give his side some much-needed inspiration.

The closing 30mins were hard-fought, with the game hanging in the balance until the end. But the sides could not be separated, and thoughts turned to the replay after the full-time whistle from referee Mike Dolan.

It was the first Galway final not to involve Portumna since 2002.

The replay will take place in a fortnight's time at Pearse Stadium.