Na Piarsaigh advance to semi-final

Loughgiel took Ulster SHC silverware; Limerick's Na Piarsaigh advanced to an AIB Munster semi-final, while Clara and St. Brendan's were crowned Kilkenny and Kerry champions respectively following today's hurling action.

At Celtic Park, Loughgiel were crowned Ulster SHC champions for the fourth year in a row, thanks to a 3-14 to 1-15 win over Slaughtneil.

The Antrim champions were forced to earn victory the hard way as Derry side Slaughtneil began this game in impressive fashion.

Less than 24 hours after lining out for Ireland in their International Rules win at Croke Park, Chrissy McKaigue was on fire for Slaughtneil as they took a 1-7 to 0-2 lead after 18 minutes.

A brace of Eddie McCloskey goals saw Loughgiel cut the gap to four points on a 1-11 to 2-4 score-line at the interval, but a third goal provided the platform for an eight provincial crown.

Two second half goals from David Dempsey earned Limerick's Na Piarsaigh a 3-17 to 2-18 win over Tipperary's Loughmore-Castleiney in today's AIB Munster SHC semi-final before 1,642 spectators at Semple Stadium.

In a tense encounter three players saw red cards over the course of the hour, with Loughmore's Derek Bourke the first to go after just four minutes.

Na Piarsaigh led by 0-8 to 0-5 after 21 minutes after a William O'Donoghue score, but Loughmore stormed to a 1-11 to 0-8 interval lead, with Liam McGrath netting a goal three minutes before the break.

1-1 from Cian Hennessy after the restart powered Loughmore to a 10point lead, but the dismissal of Willie Eviston, coupled with a Kevin Downes goal sparked a Na Piarsaigh comeback.

Na Piarsaigh battled hard until the end, with Dempsey's last gasp goal paving the way for a Na Piarsaigh win.

Clara claimed their first Kilkenny SHC title since 1986, following a 1-15 to 2-10 win over Carrickshock before 8,646 spectators at Nowlan Park.

Just 12 months after taking Kilkenny Intermediate success, and subsequently claiming Leinster and All-Ireland honours, the South Kilkenny club captured their second county second hurling crown.

Keith Hogan bagged eight first-half points with the sides tied at 0-11 to 2-5 at half-time, with Brian Donovan and John Power netting Carrickshock's goals.

Donovan drew the game for the eighth time with 11 minutes remaining, and although Carrickshock took the lead following a Damien Walsh point in the 50th minute, a late goal from Lester Ryan clinched victory for Clara.

St Brendan's claimed their first KERRY SHC title since 1990, following a 0-13 to 0-8 replay win over Lixnaw.

Lixnaw led by 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time, but Brendan's firmly turned the tables in the second half.