Ballybunion end 36-year wait for Jimmy Bruen glory

Ballybunion drew on their mix of youth and experience to capture the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield for the first time since 1979 and guarantee that an All-Ireland title headed back to the Kingdom before a ball was kicked in anger at Croke Park.

His All-Ireland tickets safely tucked away in his back pocket, team captain Pat O’Sullivan made several personnel changes in the line-up for Saturday’s final with Castlebar and walked away a winner as the Kerry club triumphed by 3½ to 1½ over the O’Meara Course at Carton House.

With a 20-strong squad ranging in age from 15 to 60, it was Adrian Walsh and Brian Slattery who delivered the winning point with a 4 and 3 win over Michael Kilcourse and Shane Rice in the anchor match.