Holders Tullamore showed that their sensational victory over Birr 12 months ago was no fluke when they repeated the trick at O'Connor Park last night to reach the last four of the Offaly SHC.

With Simon Whelahan and Gary Hanniffy to the fore, Paul Murphy's new-look Birr side led by 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval, but Tullamore stuck to their task and eked out a 0-11 to 0-10 win thanks to injury-time points from Shane Dooley (free) and Galway native Francis Kerrigan.

Last year's beaten finalists Kilcormac/Killoughey are also through to the semi-finals after they defeated Seir Kieran by 1-14 to 1-11 in the first of yesterday's quarter-finals at O'Connor Park.

A James Gorman goal helped the double Ks to a 1-6 to 0-5 lead at the break before a James Mulrooney goal brought Seir Kieran back into contention. The Clareen men had one last chance to rescue the situation, but Joe Bergin's 21-metre free was stopped on the line and Johnny Pilkington's Kilcormac side held out for the win.

Meanwhile, last year's intermediate champions Brosna Gaels are in danger of losing their senior status after they lost to neighbours Shamrocks in their relegation semi-final by 0-8 to 1-10. They will face Belmont in the relegation final after the West Offaly side lost to Lusmagh by 0-13 to 3-6. Tweet

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