Warwickshire defeated Longford by 2-16 to 0-10 in the Lory Meagher Cup final at Croke Park.

The Exiles led by 1-9 to 0-8 at half time, with Enda Lyons firing the all-important goal in the 21st minute.

Lyons had opened the scoring in the first minute and the winners added points from Sean Hennessey, Patrick Duggan and Michael Bermingham to lead by 0-5 to 0-1 with just six minutes on the clock.

Twenty-ten champions Longford kept in touch with frees from Eoin Donnellan (and one from goalkeeper Enda Daly) and they were still very much in contention going into the last quarter.

But further points from Hennessy, Conor Robbins, Alan Morrissey and captain Conal Maskey as well as a fortuitous long-range insurance goal from Eamon Gleeson ensured that the Warwickshire men would be taking the fourth-tier All-Ireland Cup home to Birmingham.

This match also saw Hawkeye used in hurling for the first time - Hennessy's first-half '65' was ruled 'wide'.

Warwickshire: T Goulding; B Bermingham, L Knocker, C Brough; D Kennedy, E Gleeson (1-0), C Maskey (captain, 0-1); M Bermingham (0-2), A Morrissey (0-1); S Hennessey (0-6, 3f, 2'65), P Duggan (0-2), C Robbins (0-1); C Behan, A O'Neill, E Lyons (1-3). Subs: R McEntee for A O'Neill (48), E McCabe for C Robbins (58), S Wallace for M Bermingham (60), D Sheehy for C Behan (67), D Kelly for A Morrissey (68). Temporary sub: S Wallace for D Kennedy (54-60).

Longford: E Daly (0-1f); P McGarry, T Stakem, B Stakem; D Corcoran, T Roche, C Egan; C Finucane, R Donnellan; E Donnellan (0-7, 6f), K Connelly, D Tanner; K Murray, J Newman, J O'Brien (captain, 0-2). Subs: M Coyle for R Donnellan (20), M Farrell for J Newman (46), G Moore for P McGarry (70), R Breslin for K Murray (70), K Cox for D Corcoran (70).

Referee: L McAuley (Antrim). Tweet

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