Despite lining out minus the services of injured county star Kevin Kelly, St Patrick's Ballyragget advanced to the All-Ireland Club IHC final thanks to a 3-14 to 1-9 semi-final victory over Tooreen of Mayo in Cusack Park, Ennis today.
Kelly was the star of their Leinster final victory over Wicklow's Glenealy but he missed out today because of a knee injury.
In his absence, his club-mates finished with 11 points to spare over a Tooreen side which created history when becoming the first Mayo club to win the Connacht crown since the competition's inception in 2005.
Joseph Brennan top scored for the winners with 2-2 while Eoin Bergin also found the back of the Mayo side's net.
Michael Brennan raised seven white flags for the Stephen Staunton captained outfit while Ciaran Charlton bagged a late consolation goal for Tooreen.
The Kilkenny and Leinster champions will now turn their attention to a Croke Park date with the winners of the second semi-final between Kanturk (Cork) and Middletown Na Fianna which is scheduled to be played on February 4th.
Ballyragget - M Gannon; J Mooney, J Gannon, M Staunton; R Healy, S Staunton, G Brennan; S Kenny (0-1), Bill Staunton (0-2); Barry Staunton, M Brennan (0-7, 5f, 2'65), P Brennan; E Bergin (1-1), B Phelan (0-1), J Brennan (2-2). Subs: O Brennan for P Brennan, P McEvoy for B Phelan, P Gannon for S Kenny, S Mooney for Barry Staunton, A Ruth for Bill Staunton.
Tooreen - S Lenehan; D Huane, M Morley, A Henry; C Henry, S Coyne, D Kenny; C Freeman (0-2), C English; B Morley, F Boland, C Charlton (1-0); K Feeney (0-3f), S Regan, S Boland (0-4f). Subs: S Kenny for B Morley, S Morley for C Henry, N Robinson for D Huane, D Harrison for C English, B Douglas for S Kenny.
Referee - R McGann.
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