Two GOALS from Simon Whelahan in the first two minutes of the second half put Birr on the road to their 14th Offaly senior hurling title at St Brendan's Park, Birr, yesterday. They led by 1-7 to 0-4 at the interval and less than two minutes after the restart they had stretched that to 3-8 to 0-4. Playing against the wind St Rynagh's started well and led by 0-3 to 0-2 after 10 minutes. However, Birr struck their first goal when Oisin O'Neill fired to the net.

That gave the home side a big boost and they quickly opened a five-point lead. The second quarter was a low scoring affair with just two points added in that period and Birr's six-point interval lead was not huge considering the wind.

The scenario changed early in the second half as Whelehan struck the two goals which put Birr firmly in the driving seat. They stretched the gap to 15 points before Gary O'Connor got in for St Rynagh's goal.

BIRR: B Mullins, G Cahill, J Errity, B Hennessey, D Franks, B Whelehan (0-1), N Claffey, B Whelehan, J Pilkington, L Power, C McGlone, (0-1), G Hanniffy (0-4), O O'Neill (1-4), D Pilkington (0-3), S Whelehan (2-2). Subs: D Regan for McGlone; K Spillane for Power; P Murphy for Hannify.

ST RYNAGH'S: D Hughes, M Rigney, S Rigney, M Hanamy, S Horan, H Rigney (0-1), L Egan, P Mulhare (0-2), D Kelly, E Martin (0-4), M Duignan (0-1), E Mulhare (0-1), G O'Connor (1-0), K McGee, F Dolan (0-2). Subs: K Flannery for McGee; C Keane for S Rigney; A Kelly for Horan.

Referee: M Kirwan (Ballyskenach).