Dunloy 1-11 2-12 Birr

Dunloy endured one of their biggest ever disappointments in their search for the AIB All-Ireland Club Hurling title by squandering a five-point lead to lose this clash against Birr.

The Ulster champions had been hoping to settle the score from seven years ago when the Offaly men claimed the title at Croke Park after a replay.

For most of the first half and the initial moments of the second period at Clones, Dunloy seemed set to earn revenge.

However, things then went horribly wrong for the north Antrim men with Birr's second goal changing the contest in the Leinster Champions' favour.

Dunloy captain Colm McGuckian spoke of the "terrible atmosphere" in his team's dressing-room after the game.

"At half-time we were four points up and we thought if we could keep our feet on the ground, that we would be able to grind out a result," he said.

But Martin Curry and Damien McMullan then hit two more Dunloy points to edge the Antrim club 1-6 to 1-3 ahead.

A further point from Colm McGuckian left Dunloy four ahead at half-time.

Dunloy led 1-8 to 1-3 after a Liam Richmond point in the opening minute of the second half.

However, Birr replied with an immediate goal and two further points to level the match.

Simon Whelehan then edged Birr ahead with another glorious point.

Summer hopes

Damien McMullan then levelled for Dunloy from a '65.

However another Simon Whelehan point edged Birr ahead again and Niall Claffey immediately added another point for the Offalymen.

Birr extended their advantage to win 2-12 to 1-11.

Dunloy captain McGuckian spoke afterwards of how the club would try and "raise ourselves for our own club championship".

Knowing Dunloy undoubtedly but for now, the summer will seem a long way off for the hurlers of the north Antrim village.

Birr will meet Galway club Clarinbridge in the All-Ireland decider on St Patrick's Day.

Clarinbridge defeated Waterford hopefuls Ballygunner 1-15 to 2-8 in Sunday's other semi-final at Thurles.

NFL
Division 1A
Tyrone 0-18 2-10 Dublin (full-time)
Cork 0-10 1-9 Roscommon (full-time)
Offaly 0-13 0-16 Donegal (full-time)
Westmeath 0-13 3-12 Galway (full-time)

Division 1B
Clare 1-6 2-19 Mayo (full-time)
Kildare 1-15 1-11 Derry (full-time)
Sligo 0-11 0-10 Down (full-time)
Cavan 0-16 0-14 Fermanagh (full-time)

Division 2A
Kerry 0-14 0-7 Antrim (full-time)
Louth 2-18 0-12 Wicklow (full-time)
London 0-10 3-22 Limerick (full-time)
Armagh 3-16 0-9 Leitrim (full-time)

Division 2B
Laois 2-16 1-11 Carlow (full-time)
Waterford 1-12 4-13 Longford (full-time)
Tipperary 1-7 0-14 Meath (full-time)
Monaghan 1-6 1-8 Wexford (full-time)