Padjoe Whelahan claimed Birr left victory behind them in their Leinster club hurling final defeat to Ballyhale Shamrocks. The long-serving Birr manager was left to rue a sluggish first half display, at the end of which Ballyhale led 2-8 to 0-4. "The first half performance wasn't a Birr performance, not the way we trained and the way we put things together," he said. "I switched the team before the game, putting Rory Hanniffy back (to centre back), and I kind of regret doing that now. But it was a decision I thought we had to make. "We had young Barry Harding, only 18, at wing back and I was kind of worried putting him out against Shefflin or TJ Reid. The first goal were gave away, a junior hurler wouldn't give it away." He added: "We left it behind us. In the second half, we were the best team easily." While he wouldn't be drawn on his own future intentions, Whelahan predicted that his son Brian would return next year when he will attempt to emulate Damien Martin's record of 13 county medals. "I think he will hang on and stay on the field for 13. I think he will." Tweet

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