Ballyhale Shamrocks 3-19 O’Loughlin Gaels 3-15
Ballyhale Shamrocks have completed the four-in-a-row in Kilkenny after a second half scoring blitz left O’Loughlin Gaels reeling.
The city side, who led by five points at one stage and three at half-time, had turned around a three-point deficit to go one in front entering the last quarter but a burst of 1-6 without reply from the holders effectively ended their challenge.
The victory wraps up the reigning All-Ireland champions’ second four-in-a-row having also achieved the feat from 2006-09 and moves them to 19 senior county titles in all, leaving them just one short of Tullaroan at the top of the roll of honour.
O’Loughlins, bidding for their first title since 2016, made light of their underdogs tag in the first half and took the game to Ballyhale, with Owen Wall’s eighth minute goal giving them a cushion that they maintained all the way to half-time.
Their county players made their presence felt as Paddy Deegan, operating in the full-forward line, striking three fine points in the first half, and Huw Lawlor largely limiting TJ Reid’s influence beyond placed balls, though he did get away for a point from play shortly before the break.
(Image: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton)
Mark Bergin could have extended O’Loughlins’ advantage though could only find the set-netting with a goal effort in the 23rd minute. He did find his range after that, however, as he slotted his first points from play to push his side five points clear in first half injury time though Ballyhale hit the last two points to trail by 1-11 to 0-11 at the changeover.
Having only fashioned one goal opening the early stages through captain Colin Fennelly, Ballyhale struck for two in 90 seconds early in the second half to flip the game on its head. Joe Cuddihy pounced for the first in the 36th minute after Stephen Murphy had pulled off a fine save from Eoin Reid, while Adrian Mullen flicked a TJ Reid sideline ball to the net shortly afterwards.
It could have floored O’Loughlins and Murphy pulled off another save from Eoin Cody that kept them in the game but, to their credit, they levelled through a Deegan goal before a superb Owen Wall point restored their lead going to the second water break.
(Image: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton)
Remarkably, it proved to be their last score until injury time as they were buried by a Ballyhale barrage.
Six points without reply from Ronan Corcoran, TJ Reid, Brian Cody, Eoin Reid and another free from TJ, all in the space of five minutes, turned the game on its head and the result was put beyond doubt when defender Brian Butler burrowed through and kept his composure brilliantly to hit Ballyhale’s third goal in the 53rd minute.
Deegan saw a late penalty saved by Dean Mason before he struck for his second goal in the third minute of injury time and O’Loughlins were reduced to 14 men a minute later after sub Danny Loughnane was shown a straight red card.
Unlike last year, Ballyhale now get the opportunity to defend their Leinster and All-Ireland titles, starting with a provincial quarter-final against Mount Leinster Rangers on November 28.
BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS: Dean Mason; Kevin Mullen, Joey Holden, Brian Butler (1-0); Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid (0-1), Darragh Corcoran (0-1); Ronan Corcoran (0-3), Brian Cody (0-2); Adrian Mullen (1-1), TJ Reid (0-9, 0-5f, 0-2 ‘65’), Eoin Cody; Joe Cuddihy (1-1), Colin Fennelly, Eoin Reid (0-1).
Subs: Conor Phelan for Butler (57), Eoin Kenneally for Eoin Reid (60+1), Gavin Butler for TJ Reid (60+3).
O’LOUGHLIN GAELS: Stephen Murphy; David Fogarty, Tony Forristal, Jordan Molloy (0-1); Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Conor Heary (0-2); Jack Nolan, Cian Loy; Eoin O’Shea (0-1), Paddy Butler, Mark Bergin (0-6, 0-3f, 0-1 ‘65); Paddy Deegan (2-3), Robbie Buckley, Owen Wall (1-2).
Subs: Danny Loughnane for Loy (49), Sean Bolger for Buckley (55), Conor Kelly for Nolan (55).
REFEREE: Owen Beehan (Fenians).
Ballyhale Shamrocks complete four-in-a-row in Kilkenny hurling final
Daily Newspaper News
0 Comments