Ballyhale Shamrocks secured their sixth win in seven AIB All-Ireland Club SHC semi-final appearances as they overcame a determined Newtownshandrum side in Thurles today.
Centre-forward Henry Shefflin hit 0-13 for the Kilkenny and Leinster champions, who had goalkeeper James Connolly to thank for stopping Ryan Clifford’s penalty effort.
Connolly also did brilliantly to deny Cathal Naughton a certain goal as the Cork and Munster title holders hit back, hoping to qualify for the St Patrick's Day decider after winning through in both 2004 and 2006.
In sunny but cold conditions at Semple Stadium, James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick opened the scoring for the Shamrocks and Shefflin quickly got off the mark with two placed balls.
Shefflin's sharpness in open play and deadly accuracy from placed balls was a key factor in Ballyhale establishing a hold on proceedings. He gave his marker Pat Mulcahy a torrid time, ably assisted by TJ Reid.
Clifford, Naughton and the O'Connor twins, Ben and Jerry, carried the fight for Newtown at the other end.
Ben O’Connor had half of the north Cork outfit’s tally, including a pinpoint sideline cut, as they went in at half-time, 0-13 to 0-10 down.
Mick Fennelly's Ballyhale side had the better of the first half and could have had two goals on the board.
However, Mark Aylward and Colin Fennelly failed to convert those chances as goalkeeper William Biggane and his defence did well to block them out.
In a high quality second period, Newtown put Ballyhale under huge pressure as they fought back to briefly level an intriguing semi-final at 0-13 apiece.
But substitute Maurice Farrell’s late sending-off, for an apparent headbutt, ended their brave fight, and a first Croke Park date for the Shamrocks since 2007 was secured.
Revenge will certainly be on the minds of Shefflin and company on 17 March when they face reigning All-Ireland champions Portumna, who dished out a 5-11 to 1-16 beating to them at the semi-final stage last year.
Ballyhale Shamrocks 0-19 Newtownshandrum 0-17
