Full forward Declan Pilkington was a three-goal hero for Birr as they cantered to a 15point win over Kiltegan in the second round of the Leinster club hurling championship at Aughrim yesterday. Birr had an explosive start to both halves and it was then that Pilkington delivered two of his knockout blows as the Offaly champions scored 13 each time without reply, effectively killing off their opponents' hopes.

Kiltegan did rally between the seventh and 10th minutes of the first half, with points by John Keogh and Keith Furlong (2), to cut the deficit to four. But Pilkington came with another goal on 27 minutes to ease his side into a 2-9 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Despite being without four of the team that won the Offaly championship, Birr always looked to be in a higher hurling class and Kiltegan could do little to stop Gary Cahill, Daithi Regan, Paul Carroll and Darren Hanniffy from picking off a string of well-taken points.