Kilkenny SHC Final: Ballyhale defeat O'Loughlin's
Ronan Corcoran, Shamrocks Ballyhale, and Eoin O'Shea, O'Loughlin Gaels, in Kilkenny SHC Final action. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Kilkenny SHC Final
Shamrocks Ballyhale 1-18 O’Loughlin Gaels 0-12
Shamrocks Ballyhale are Kilkenny Senior Hurling champions for a record 21st time in their history after they overcame O’Loughlin Gaels in impressive fashion.
A second half Eoin Cody goal as well as an 11 point tally by TJ Reid set the Shamrocks on their way, but just as impressive was the way they shut down O’Loughlin Gaels down the other end.
A superb second half display where Henry Shefflin’s winning outfit outscored O'Loughlin's 1-10 to 0-4 proved to be the winning of the game as the Ballyhale team made their superiority count on the scoreboard.
The final was a repeat of the decider from two years ago which O’Loughlin’s emerged victorious in and although the first half was tight, it was evident the Shamrocks were out for a piece of revenge.
The teams shared the opening four scores before efforts from Jordan Molloy and Mark Bergin pushed Brian Hogan’s O’Loughlin’s side into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead.
Shamrocks responded via TJ Reid who found the target on six different occasions in the opening 30 minutes.
The winning side also hit eight wides during that opening stanza and as a result O’Loughlin Gaels were very much in the contest with Fionan Mackessy and Mikey Butler adding to their tally before the break.
There was nothing between the teams at the halfway mark after they were deadlocked at 0-8 apiece and although Conor Heary and Liam Barron swapped efforts in the opening minutes of the second half, the Shamrocks soon took control with Eoin Cody’s goal after Jordan Molloy initially lost possession proving to be the big turning point.
The only goal of the game left Shamrocks three point leaders and when they quickly added on further scores via TJ Reid, Richie Reid , Eoin Cody and Niall Shortall, the game was as good as done as they raced clear on a 1-15 to 0-9 scoreline.
O’Loughlin’s kept at it with points from Conor Kelly, Fionan Mackessy and Owen Wall but their forward unit was well shut down throughout. Kelly was red carded in the closing stages.
A day to be cherished for the Shamrocks as they displace Tullaroan at the top of the roll of honour in Kilkenny and if history tells us anything, their winning habit may not be restricted to within the county boundary.
Scorers for Shamrocks Ballyhale: TJ Reid 0-11 (5fs and 3 65's), Eoin Cody 1-1, Richie Reid 0-2, Darragh Corcoran, Ronan Corcoran, Liam Barron, Niall Shortall 0-1 each.
Scorers for O’Loughlin Gaels: Mark Bergin 0-4 (4fs), Fionan Mackessy 0-3 (1f), Conor Kelly (f), Owen Wall, Conor Heary, Jordan Molloy, Mikey Butler 0-1 each.
Shamrocks Ballyhale: Dean Mason; Killian Corcoran, Joey Holden, Brian Butler, Paddy Mullen, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Eoin Kennealy, Ronan Corcoran; Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody, TJ Reid; Liam Barron, Brian Cody, Niall Shortall.
Subs: Subs: Dara Mason for Butler, 52 mins; John Fitzpatrick for B.Cody, 56 mins; Stephen Barron for P.Mullen, 60 mins; Finnian Shefflin for L.Barron, 62 mins; Conor Walsh for R.Corcoran, 62 mins.
O’Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy; Tony Forristal, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler; Ronan Buckley, Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy; Jack Nolan, Eoin O'Shea; Luke Hogan, Conor Kelly, Conor Heary; Owen Wall, Fionan Mackessy, Mark Bergin.
Subs: Robbie Buckley for Bergin, 39 mins; Jamie Ryan for O'Shea, 44 mins; Greg Kelly for Hogan, 52 mins.
Referee; Conor Everard (Graigue Ballycallan).
