Hurling round-up: Thurles Sars too good for Limerick champions

Munster SHC: Kilmallock (Limerick) 0-15 Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 2-12

Thurles Sarsfields scored a goal in each half as they overcame Kilmallock this afternoon to reach the last-four of the AIB Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship.

The Tipperary champions prevailed on a 2-12 to 0-15 scoreline in Kilmallock, winning through to face Cork title holders Sarsfields in a November 11 semi-final.

After an even opening, Thurles moved into a 1-4 to 0-4 lead thanks to Pa Bourke's well-struck goal from a 20-metre free.

Bourke and Johnny Enright (0-2) pointed three frees leading up to half-time to give Seamus Quinn's men a 1-7 to 0-5 buffer at the break, with Eoin Ryan replying for Kilmallock.

The Limerick champions were clinical with the scoring chances coming their way and two points from Eoin Ryan and Shane O'Donnell put a goal between the sides.

A 35th minute miss from Ryan represented Kilmallock's first wide of this closely-fought quarter-final tie, but Paudie O'Dwyer found his range soon after to make it 1-7 to 0-8.

Former Hurler of the Year Lar Corbett replied for Sarsfields, only for Ryan and O'Donnell to land a quick brace to make it a one-point game in the 39th minute.

But Tony Considine's side leaked 1-1 in and around the 43rd minute, Corbett firing home the goal and Enright slotting the point from a placed ball.

Back came Kilmallock with the breeze behind them, the assured Ryan landing three successive points and Kevin O'Donnell also raising a white flag to whittle Thurles' advantage down to 2-9 to 0-14.

In an exciting finale, Denis Maher and Shane O'Donnell swapped scores before Michael O'Brien and goal scorer Bourke swung over two decisive late points for the Tipp outfit.

ULSTER SHC: Portaferry (Down) 0-12 Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) 2-25

Reigning All-Ireland champions Loughgiel Shamrocks cruised to their third Ulster club hurling crown in as many years by beating Portaferry in today's decider in Belfast.

Loughgiel averaged 2-21 from their final victories in the past two years, and today they ended with a tally of 2-25 to Portaferry's 12 points.

There were eight points between the sides at half-time - 1-12 to 0-7 - after Shea Casey swept home the Shamrocks' opening goal.

Casey reacted quickest to stab the ball home after goalkeeper Karl Keating had failed to fully clear a Liam Watson shot.

Portaferry, who finished fourth in this year's Antrim Hurling League, were unable to keep pace with Loughgiel in the second half at Casement Park and Casey teed up Watson to tap home their second goal.

The Ulster kingpins will be back in action in February when they take on the Connacht champions in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

CLARE SHC: Newmarket-on-Fergus 3-10 Cratloe 0-9

Newmarket-on-Fergus are Clare SHC champions for the first time since 1981 after defeating Cratloe by 3-10 to 0-9 in rain-hit Ennis this afternoon.

Historically the most decorated club in the Clare Championship with 22 titles before today, Newmarket sealed this long-awaited county success with a late goal from ace free-taker Colin Ryan.

Shane O'Brien jnr claimed two first half goals for the Blues who led 2-6 to 0-6 at the interval. Cratloe had the wind in the second 30 minutes but could only muster three more points.

Waterford champions De La Salle are next on Newmarket's radar, with the clubs meeting in a tasty Munster semi-final on Sunday, November 11.