It's 99 not out for hurling fanatic Maureen!

Maureen Hanley, aged 99 years, was among the large attendance at last Sunday's Offaly senior hurling final and, remarkably, it was her 60th consecutive Sean Robbins Cup decider to attend.

Dedicated supporter Maureen, who turned 99 recently, was accompanied to Grant Heating St Brendan's Park by her daughter Mary, a former secretary of Coolderry GAA.

And whether next year's county final is in Birr or Tullamore, no doubt the hale and hearty Maureen will be planning to be there once again.

There was considerable excitement during the build-up to last Sunday's final as the hurling showpiece returned to Birr for the first time in 17 years. Birr GAA did an amazing job of organising a host of activities to coincide with the weekend of the match, and the venue was absolutely buzzing before the sliotar was thrown in.

As a spectacle for neutral supporters, however, the match itself proved extremely disappointing with an impressive Kilcormac/Killoughey side emerging as comprehensive winners over Shinrone.

The game looked over as a contest at half-time, when K/K led by 1-17 to 0-5, the goal coming from James Gorman shortly before the interval. The lead looked unassailable and so it proved as the 'Double Ks' avenged last year's final defeat to Shinrone in ruthless fashion.

Charlie Mitchell and Cathal Kiely added further goals in the second half and, incredibly, the score was 3-22 to 0-7 with about quarter of an hour remaining.

Two goals from Dara Maher (both from late frees) and another from Jason Sampson put a better gloss on the scoreboard from a Shinrone perspective. Although K-K still won by 18 points (3-26 to 3-8), at least Shinrone avoided the unwanted distinction of losing the county final by a record margin.

Afterwards, Kilcormac-Killoughey captain Conor Slevin lifted the Sean Robbins Cup and Conor Mahon, scorer of six points from play, was chosen as the official man of the match.

The men from Kilcormac and Mountbolus will face Wexford champions Naomh Eanna in the Leinster club championship next month and, based on their display last Sunday, they will approach that assignment with justifiable confidence.

Scorers - Kilcormac-Killoughey: C Mitchell 1-4; A Screeney 0-7 (4f, 0-1 65); C Mahon 0-6; Cathal Kiely 1-1; J Gorman 1-0; J Screeney 0-3; Cillian Kiely 0-2 (2f); D Kilmartin, B Kavanagh, T Geraghty 0-1 each. Shinrone: D Maher 2-1 (2-1f); J Sampson 1-0; D Morkan 0-3 (3f); D Cleary 0-2; K Sampson, L Watkins 0-1 each.

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Conor Slevin; Oisín Mahon, Brecon Kavanagh, Tom Spain; Jordan Quinn, Cillian Kiely, Enda Grogan; Colin Spain, Damien Kilmartin; Jack Screeney, Conor Mahon, Cathal Kiely; Adam Screeney, James Gorman, Charlie Mitchell. Subs: Peter Geraghty for Gorman (44 mins), Ger Healion for C Mahon (50), Thomas Geraghty for Cathal Kiely (52), Killian Leonard for J Screeney (58), Shane Guinan for Kilmartin (58).

Shinrone: Eamonn Cleary; Darren Crean, Darren O'Meara, Darragh Landy; Michael Cleary, Conor Doughan, Dara Maher; Declan Cleary, Luke Watkins; Killian Sampson, Donal Morkan, Jason Sampson; Seán Cleary, Adrian Cleary, Paul Cleary. Subs: Dan Doughan for D Cleary (41 mins), Ciarán Cleary for P Cleary (41), Joe Cleary for Watkins (47), JP Cleary for Morkan (47), David Murray for S Cleary (53).

Referee: Brian Gavin (Clara).