Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-18 O'Loughlin Gaels 0-12
The peerless Shamrocks Ballyhale, who have made a habit of winning since the club was founded in 1972, hit another huge hurling milestone in the Kilkenny senior final at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday when they simply had too much craft for city side, O’Loughlin Gaels.
Shamrocks claimed a table-topping 21st victory, which is a remarkable achievement over a relatively short 44-year period. They edged ahead in the roll of honour of mighty Tullaroan, who took 107 years to amass their 20 victories.
Shamrocks put a so-so first half behind them to out-score O’Loughlin’s by a massive 1-10 to 0-04 in the second period and take the spoils.
There were stars galore, including 11-point man TJ Reid, who has now won 12 senior titles, Richie Reid, Eoin Reid and Darragh Corcoran.
The scores were level at 0-08 each at half-time after O’Loughlin’s had played with the wind.
Shamrocks opened the second half with a point after a mere 20 seconds from Liam Barron.
O’Loughlin's posted a reply from Conor Heary, but on 34 minutes they suffered a serious blow when a defender fumbled a ball in front of goal and Eoin Cody whipped it to the net.
A mighty free from beyond midfield by TJ Reid, followed smartly by a similar score from Niall Shortall, with an assist from TJ Reid, left Shamrocks with a strong lead of 1-11 to 0-09.
O’Loughlin’s were in deep trouble just weren't able to dig themselves out of what was a deep hole.
Shamrocks strolled home, and turned it into a golden season for the club and manager Henry Shefflin, on his return to the fold.
On a grey, cold and damp day that made for trying underfoot conditions, the opening action was ponderous. Shamrocks, playing into the teeth of a stiff wind, were dominant, but their finishing was off.
During the opening quarter they shot seven wides, which prevented them from reflecting their on-field superiority on the scoreboard. O’Loughlin’s just couldn’t get hold of the game, but they hung on and were good at pinching scores on limited enough possession.
The city side made all the running, but a two-point advantage gained on two occasions was the best they could do.
Four times, the teams shared parity up to this, but Shamrocks hung on and a 27th-minute point from Darragh Corcoran, after being placed by the flying Eoin Cody, left them leaders for the first time at 0-07 to 0-06.
After county man Mickey Butler levelled for O’Loughlin’s, there was an exchange of pointed frees between the free-scoring TJ Reid - six points in this half - and Mark Bergin to leave it all square at 0-8 each at half-time.
When Shamrocks, who have also won a table-topping nine All-Ireland club titles, got use of the wind they didn’t take long to get into their scoring stride.
But their grit and sheer hurling ability had them on the road to a handy victory even before the third quarter was out.
Ballyhale Shamrocks: Dean Mason; Killian Corcoran, Joey Holden, Brian Butler; Paddy Mullen, Richie Reid (0-02), Darragh Corcoran (0-01); Eoin Kenneally, Ronan Corcoran (0-01); Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody (1-01), TJ Reid, capt (0-11, 3 65s, 5fs); Liam Barron (0-01), Brian Cody, Niall Shortall (0-01).
Subs: Dara Mason for B Butler; John Fitzpatrick for B Cody; Stephen Barron for P Mullen; Finnian Shefflin for L Barron; Conor Walsh for R. Corcoran.
O’Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy; Tony Forristal, Huw Lawlor (capt), Mikey Butler (0-01); Ronan Buckley, Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy (0-01); Jack Nolan, Eoin O’Shea; Luke Hogan, Conor Kelly (0-01, free), Conor Heary (0-01); Owen Wall (0-01), Fionán Mackessy (0-03, 1f), Mark Bergin (0-04, 3f, 1 65).
Subs: Robbie Buckley for M. Bergin (inj); Jamie Ryan for E. O’Shea; Greg Kelly L Hogan.
Referee: Conor Everard (Graigue Ballycallan)
Ballygalget 2-13 Portaferry 2-24
Meanwhile, Portaferry secured their fourth Down SHC title on the trot and 24th overall, beating neighbours Ballygalget by 11 points to move outright second in the roll of honour, three behind Ballycran.
In what was a repeat of last year's final, the challengers led by 2-06 to 1-07 at the interval, their two goals coming from Eoin Pucci (2-96, 4fs) and the holders from a Cathal Coleman penalty (1-08, 1-04f).
Portaferry had drawn level by the 36th minute and Shane Conlon edged them in front before Eoghan Sands' goal helped to build a decisive lead that only increased throughout the second half.
