Title duel goes to the wire - Thurles round-up

Michael Kinane made his trip back from Melbourne to Thursday's Irish fixture at Thurles worthwhile when scoring on Yukon to go into Sunday's final meeting of the Flat season level with Johnny Murtagh.

Murtagh had helped himself to an early double on the card aboard the well-backed favourites, Zimbabwe and Hard Shoulder to regain the initiative in their ongoing duel for the title which Pat Smullen will surrender this weekend.