Colleges hurling All-Ireland senior championship final/St Flannan's 2-15 St Kieran's 2-12: They thus ended a six-year wait to win back the title. In the process St Flannan's, Ennis, extended their number of All-Ireland titles to 13, now just three short of St Kieran's record of 16. As about half the St Flannan's team are expected to be back next year they mightn't be long closing that gap.

St Flannan's can trace their victory to the accuracy of Colin Ryan, the confidence of Bernard Gaffney and the determination of captain James McInerney - who together contributed 1-12. When the sides were level at 2-12 each going into injury time, it was Ryan's free and 65 that first settled St Flannan's nerves. After that Gaffney collected the ball just outside his own half, went charging towards the St Kieran's end and sealed victory in blazing style.

It was a victory that also marked the formal arrival of James O'Connor as a hurling coach. Recently retired from the Clare county scene, this was the first year he has committed to the senior team at St Flannan's, sharing the duties with Con Woods, and his influence can't be overstated. When St Flannan's went looking for inspiration they only needed to glance at the sideline.

There was plenty of inspiration on the field, starting with McInerney. A hamstring injury had ruled him out since Christmas, and while he clearly wasn't fit, his influence ran deep - particularly when moved to full forward in the last quarter. Gerard Arthur chipped in with two points, while Niall Killeen scored their second goal shortly after half-time. But like any success it was a team effort, and goalkeeper Patrick Kelly twice produced match-saving blocks, the most crucial from St Kieran's substitute Donncha Fitzpatrick when the sides were tied at 2-11 each.

Possession was evenly spread but probably made more readily available by St Kieran's. Patrick Hogan and Maurice Nolan got the better of midfield, with Hogan's 1-2 total matched by Nolan's 0-5. Richie Hogan also clocked in with 1-2, but the St Kieran's accuracy did go a little astray as the second half progressed, and that proved crucial.

The first half could be summarised as one score matched by the other. Gaffney's close-range goal on seven minutes gave the first real advantage to St Flannan's, but Richie Hogan had that cancelled out within minutes. Again the Clare students edged in front, but it was St Kieran's who held a one-point lead just before the break when Patrick Hogan chased a loose ball to the left of the St Flannan's goal, came storming back towards the goalmouth and took the score to 2-5 to 1-7.

There was even less room to breathe in the second half. They were level on three separate occasions, with TJ Reid and Jonjo Farrell raising their game for St Kieran's. But when the final pressure came it was St Flannan's who prevailed.

ST FLANNAN'S COLLEGE, ENNIS: P Kelly; C O'Doherty, J Moloney, M O'Donnell; C Neylon, S Hickey, G Hannigan; J McInerney capt (0-2, one free), D O'Halloran (0-1); C Ryan (0-7, five frees, two 65s), J Neylon, C Madden; B Gaffney (1-3), N Killeen (1-0), G Arthur (0-2). Subs: C Tierney for Killeen (60 mins).

ST KIERAN'S COLLEGE, KILKENNY: N Cleere; E O'Shea, S Campion, J Dowling; J Dermody, N Prendergast, J Lawlor; P Hogan (1-2, two frees), M Nolan capt (0-5, four frees); Mark Walsh, J Farrell (0-1), TJ Reid (0-2); Martin Walsh, R Hogan (1-2, one free), S Brennan. Subs: N Tennyson for Dermody (39 mins), D Fitzpatrick for Martin Walsh (50 mins).

Referee: N Cosgrove (Tipperary).