Offaly SHC Final replay: Birr 2-9, Coolderry 1-11 Birr staged a late recovery to snatch a dramatic one-point victory over Coolderry in an exciting Offaly senior hurling final replay at Birr on Saturday.

In a seesaw game the sides were level eight times before Birr snatched victory with a point from Paul O'Meara three minutes from the end.

A Seán Ryan goal in the 11th minute gave Birr the early advantage but Coolderry fought back well with Brian Carroll in good form. At the interval Birr led by 1-5 to 0-7 - helped by an inspirational Brian Whelahan point.

The sides traded points but when substitute Barry Larkin netted, Coolderry led by 1-11 to 1-7 with 13 minutes to go.

Birr were in trouble but they responded quickly with a well-worked goal from Gary Hanniffy. Stephen Brown quickly equalised and the sides failed to score in the next eight minutes.

Paul O'Meara put Birr back in front with three minutes left but there was drama two minutes into injury-time when Damien Murray burst clear inside the Birr defence but his shot flew across the face of the goal and wide and Birr held on to win their seventh title in eight years.

BIRR: M Mulrooney; JP O'Meara, P Cleary, M Verney; Brian Whelahan (0-3), R Hanniffy, N Claffey; Barry Whelahan, N Rogers; P O'Meara (0-1), G Hanniffy (1-0), S Brown (0-2); S Ryan (1-0), D Hayden (0-2), M Dwane (0-1). Subs: P Molloy for Rogers, S Whelahan for Dwane, D Franks for Brian Whelehan.

COOLDERRY: S O'Connor; T Corcoran, B O'Meara, A Corcoran; J McLoughney (0-1), K Brady, B Teehan (0-1); J Masterson, C Parlon; B Carroll (0-5), M Corcoran (0-1), D Murray (0-2); P Teehan, J Brady, P Ryan (0-1). Subs: B Larkin (1-0) for P Teehan, F Parlon for Ryan.

Referee: M Kirwan (Ballyskenach).