Shefflin central as Ballyhale win another Leinster
Shefflin central as Ballyhale win another Leinster
AIB LEINSTER SHC CLUB FINAL: BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS 0-21 KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY 1-14 (AET)
Ballyhale Shamrocks needed extra-time to see off Kilcormac-Killoughey in the Leinster final at Portlaoise on Sunday, but the Kilkenny champions were deserving winners of a record-breaking eighth title against the Offaly champions.
The sides were extremely evenly matched throughout, with never more than two points separating them at any stage in normal time. A brilliant point from Henry Shefflin put Ballyhale a point ahead with a few minutes to go, but a Ciarán Slevin free guaranteed the additional 20 minutes, although he could have won it for his side with a very tricky long-range free seconds before the end.
Ballyhale were considerably the better side in the extra-time period after some initial sparring, and a gem from Shefflin put them three up on the break in extra-time. The 10-time All-Ireland winner struck another vital score after the restart and that left Ballyhale four clear. Kilcormac-Killoughey were too far behind at that stage and Ballyhale held tough in the closing minutes to see out the victory with relative ease.
The Offaly side had started well in Portlaoise with two early points from Cillian Kiely and James Gorman, but once Ballyhale got level through TJ Reid (free) and Conor Walsh, there was basically nothing between the sides.
Ballyhale held a 0-7 to 0-6 lead at the interval, with TJ Reid in excellent scoring form for the Kilkenny side, hitting five in the opening 30 minutes. Shefflin struck his first score just before the break to put Ballyhale ahead.
Ballyhale edged two clear after the restart through Reid, but then Kilcormac-Killoughey went ahead when they struck the only goal of the game, Dan Currams reacting quickest after Richie Reid had kept out Gorman's original shot.
Ballyhale were quickly in front again following two more Reid frees, and they were able to maintain a two-point lead until the final quarter. However, three KK points in a row, from Currams, Cillian Kiely and Gorman, had the Offaly side in front with less than 10 minutes to go.
Eoin Reid, brother of TJ, restored parity and then a majestic point from Shefflin from out on the sideline had Ballyhale in front with time running out. Slevin's free forced the extra-time period, but Shefflin delivered brilliantly in the extra-time period, hitting the two vital points either side of the break within extra-time which effectively confirmed Ballyhale's win.
The Kilkenny champions are now into the All-Ireland semi-final, where they will face the Galway champions next February - either Gort of Portumna - who play in their county final next weekend.
Scorers for Ballyhale Shamrocks: TJ Reid 0-10 (7f, 1 '65'), Henry Shefflin 0-4, Mark Aylward 0-2, James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick 0-2, Conor Walsh 0-1, Eoin Reid 0-1, Ronan Corcoran 0-1.
Scorers for Kilcormac-Killoughey: Ciaran Slevin 0-7 (5f), Dan Currams 1-1, Cillian Kiely 0-2 (1f), James Gorman 0-2, Conor Mahon 0-1, Damien Kilmartin 0-1.
BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS: Richie Reid; Keith Nolan, Joey Holden, Alan Cuddihy; Paul Shefflin, Michael Fennelly, Bob Aylward; David Hoyne, Conor Walsh; James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, Colin Fennelly, TJ Reid; Eoin Reid, Henry Shefflin, Mark Aylward. Subs: Brian Cody for Hoyne (HT), Aidan Cummins for B Aylward (56), Ronan Corcoran for Walsh (58), Michael Dermody for P Shefflin (76), Patrick Reid for M Aylward (78), Kevin Mullen for C Fennelly (82).
KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: Conor Slevin; Con Mahon, Ger HealioN, Alan McConville; Kevin Grogan, Peter Healion, Brian Leonard; Damien Kilmartin, Killian Leonard; Ciaran Slevin, Conor Mahon, Cillian Kiely; James Gorman, Dan Currams, Peter Geraghty. Subs: Thomas Geraghty for Kilmartin (46), Dylan Murray for G Healion (FT), Shane Guinan for Gorman (HT, ET), Enda Grogan for Kiely (74), John Grogan for McConville (80).
Referee: P O'Dwyer (Carlow)
