Cushendall (Antrim) 3-12
Sarsfields (Galway) 1-6

Cushendall booked their final ticket in Croke Park on St Patrick's Day with an emphatic 12 point victory over Sarsfields at Pairc Tailteann today.

In what was a surprisingly one-sided semi-final, goals from Neil McManus (penalty), Sean McAfee and Karl McKeegan helped Ruairi Ogs become the fifth Antrim club to reach the All-Ireland senior hurling decider, not to mention banish the disappointment of eight previous semi-final defeats.

The winners issued a statement of intent early on when the hugely influential McManus, who finished with 1-7, made no mistake from the penalty spot and they took a 1-4 to 0-5 lead into the break.

The Antrim champions turned around for the second-half with a strong wind at their back and they used the elements to telling effect.

The Arron Graffin captained outfit outscored their opponents by 2-8 to 1-1 after the resumption with McAfee and substitute McKeegan putting the game beyond Sarsfields' reach.

Captain Joseph Cooney pulled a goal back for the 1993/'94 champions in the 40th minute but it's John McKillop and his players who will be keeping a close eye on the second semi-final between Na Piarsaigh and Oulart-The Ballagh which is about to get underway in Semple Stadium.

In what was an outstanding team performance, Ryan McCambridge and Paddy McGill were others who particularly caught the eye for the winners.

Cushendall - E Gillan; D Kearney, M Burke, R McCambridge; A Graffin, E Campbell, S Delargy; S McNaughton, A Delargy (0-1); C Carson (0-1), N McManus (1-7, 1-5f), P McGill (0-3); D McNaughton, S McAfee (1-0), C McNaughton. Subs: K McKeegan (1-0) for C McNaughton, C McAllister for D McNaughton.

Sarsfields - C Dolan; E Cleary, D Skehill, C Murray; N Quinn, K Hynes, R Quinn; J Cooney (1-0), I Fox; A Ward (0-1), K Wade, N Morrissey (0-5f); I Skehill, N Kelly, K Cooney. Subs: I Kenny for I Skehill, J Burke for K Wade, S Kelly for N Morrissey, E Spellman for K Cooney.

Referee - P O'Dwyer.

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