Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

AIB Leinster SHC quarter-final

Mount Leinster Rangers 0-16 Ballyhale Mount Leinster Rangers 0-16 Ballyhale

Shamrocks 0-22 <<CRESTS>> REIGNING All- Ireland club hurling champions, Shamrocks of Ballyhale secured a semi- nal berth Shamrocks of Ballyhale secured a semi- nal berth in the Provincial series, with a hard-fought 6-point victory over Carlow kingpins, Mount Leinster Rangers at a cold and windy Netwatch Cullen Park last Saturday. Despite coming into the tie as massive underdogs, Rangers gave a good account of underdogs, Rangers gave a good account of themselves, considering they hadn’t been in competitive action since winning their county title on September 19th. is period of inactivity was probably one of the factors as Ballyhale came out of the traps much more sharply than their neighbours. e Carlow side would actually open the scoring, playing against the wind in the rst half, through a placed ball from cornerthe wind in the rst half, through a placed ball from cornerforward Denis Murphy. eir Kilkenny opponents forward Denis Murphy. eir Kilkenny opponents hit back straight away, when Adrian Mullen took hit back straight away, when Adrian Mullen took possession, before passing to the impressive Joe possession, before passing to the impressive Joe Cuddihy who slotted over to level. Shortly after, Cuddihy who slotted over to level. Shortly after, mid elder Brian Cody picked up a loose ball before nding the on-running Adrian ball before nding the on-running Adrian Mullen who turned inside and popped over a lovely point. Cody would then register his sides 3rd score of the day, following lovely build-up play from following lovely build-up play from Ronan Corcoran and captain Colin Ronan Corcoran and captain Colin Fennelly. Fennelly.

Shamrocks had settled and were Shamrocks had settled and were displaying all the attributes of a side displaying all the attributes of a side who’s record outside of their county is who’s record outside of their county is as good as any across the island. James as good as any across the island. James O’Connor’s side appeared to be able O’Connor’s side appeared to be able to create scoring chances with greater to create scoring chances with greater ease than their Carlow opponents. e ease than their Carlow opponents. e rst burst from Ballyhale had produced rst burst from Ballyhale had produced 3 points, the second would triple that and 3 points, the second would triple that and would see them lead 0-9 to 0-2 at the rst water would see them lead 0-9 to 0-2 at the rst water break. Messrs. Adrian Mullen, Brian & Eoin Cody, break. Messrs. Adrian Mullen, Brian & Eoin Cody, Ronan Corcoran, TJ Reid and Joe Ronan Corcoran, TJ Reid and Joe Cuddihy would contribute to the Cuddihy would contribute to the emphatic rst quarter blitz by emphatic rst quarter blitz by the Nore Siders, and notably, the Nore Siders, and notably, all their scores came from all their scores came from play. play.

MLR would only add one MLR would only add one further score to their rst quarter further score to their rst quarter total, via Fiachra Fitzpatrick, total, via Fiachra Fitzpatrick, and the warning signs looked and the warning signs looked ominous for Conor Phelan’s ominous for Conor Phelan’s charges. ings would go charges. ings would go from bad to worse for the from bad to worse for the Carlow side when the heavily Carlow side when the heavily strapped Eddie Byrne had strapped Eddie Byrne had to be withdrawn from play to be withdrawn from play after only 15 minutes. after only 15 minutes.

You could sense that You could sense that the Rangers supporters the Rangers supporters were fearing the worst, were fearing the worst, and when Adrian Mullen and when Adrian Mullen slotted over another wellslotted over another welltaken point for this third of taken point for this third of the day, the gap between the day, the gap between the sides appeared to be the sides appeared to be widening. e Carlow widening. e Carlow champions did reduce the champions did reduce the de cit to six points, with de cit to six points, with much needed scores from much needed scores from Teddy Joyce and their top Teddy Joyce and their top marksman, Denis Murphy. marksman, Denis Murphy.

Little did their watching Little did their watching faithful know that only one faithful know that only one further placed along with further placed along with those points would be the last those points would be the last scores registered by their side scores registered by their side in a disappointing rst half for in a disappointing rst half for MLR. Shamrocks responded to their MLR. Shamrocks responded to their opponents 2-point salvo with scores opponents 2-point salvo with scores of their own from TJ of their own from TJ and Cuddihy. and Cuddihy.

Eight points down Eight points down as they entered the as they entered the nal ve minutes of nal ve minutes of a di cult rst period, a di cult rst period, manager Phelan needed manager Phelan needed to stem the tide, but to stem the tide, but

Richie Reid handpasses under pressure Evan She lin under pressure

Shamrocks snu ff out Rangers threat

O aly champs St Rynaghs next up for Ballyhale

Shamrocks snu ff out

Adrian Mullen races to get the ball unfortunately some loose marking allowed No.12 Cuddihy and the very lively Brian Cody to pop over nice points to leave Shamrocks an impressive and worthy 9 points up when O aly referee Richie Fitzsimons blew for half-time. Ballyhale 0-14, MLR 0-5. Despite having wind advantage for the second half, MLR knew it would take a comeback of epic proportion to advance to the next stage of the competition. Surely the best-known club side in hurling history wouldn’t entertain such fairytales.

When play resumed, the rst score registered was a free from that man Denis Murphy. e corner-forward was then given another opportunity from a placed ball which he duly slotted over. TJ then popped over a free to leave the score 0-15 to 0-7. e pattern in the second half was a little di erent to that of the half that had preceded it. e game wasn’t as free owing, the referee was much busier, mostly in the blowing for frees.

Both teams possessed accurate placed-ball takers, in TJ Reid and Denis Murphy, and so commenced their personal battle. e newlywed TJ red over another free, before his nemesis Murphy, replied with two of his own following Shamrocks indiscretions. e crowd had been lifted; the noise increased and when mid elder Richard Coady hit his sides third score on the bounce, they were a little more hope in their cheers if not total belief in the task ahead.

When Murphy struck his sides fth unanswered point to narrow the gap to just 5 points, there appeared to be a little more collective belief in the MLR challenge. For the rst time in the quarter- nal, Ballyhale found themselves under periods of concerted pressure, but what do champions do when facing di culty? they respond, and that’s exactly what James O’Connor’s troops did with the next two points, both from play by Eoin Cody and the sharp looking Adrian Mullen.

Denis Murphy again punished another Shamrocks indiscretion when he pointed yet another free, to leave six between the sides as the whistle sounded for the second water break, 0-18 to 0-12. To the surprise of the

pundits, players and supporters, MLR had marking allowed No.12 outscored Ballyhale by 0-7 to 0-4 with cornerCuddihy and the very forward Murphy responsible for six of those lively Brian Cody scores. to pop over nice When battle recommenced, Murphy again points to leave displayed his placed-ball prowess, by slotting Shamrocks an over another free. Play would be brie y halted, impressive when the emergency services were required and worthy to administer attention to an unfortunate 9 points spectator, who had collapsed in the stand. up when On the resumption of play, MLR Denis Murphy slotted over another free to reduce the de cit to just 4 points with a little over 10 minutes to play. From the resulting puck-out, the game’s best chance of a goal arrived, and blew for the moment that Conor Phelan and his side half-time. will look back on over the winter months. Ballyhale Centre-forward Chris Nolan collected a loose 0-14, MLR ball before nding Jon Nolan with a lovely pass. 0-5. Jon went straight for goal and struck his e ort Despite goal-bound, but could only watch in horror as Eoin Cody having wind Ballyhale net minder Dean Mason somehow escapes his advantage for managed to prevent the ball reaching the net. marker the second half, A collective sigh could be heard by the Rangers MLR knew it would supporters across the ground. take a comeback of epic Startled by MLR goal attempt, Shamrocks then registered a point, from TJ, before cornerback Gary Kelly pointed for the Carlow side to stir supporters from both sides, as the nal couple of minutes approached. Who else, but Denis Murphy notched another free to leave just a major between the sides, 0-19 to 0-16. Lesser teams would have crumbled in the face of the MLR challenge, but not this team. In true champions fashion, Ballyhale then upped the ante. First up was TJ, who struck, possibly the best score of the game with a stunning point from his own half. Eoin Cody then forced Rangers goalkeeper Grennan into a smart save, which he managed to put behind for a ‘65. What happened next? Well TJ popped over the ‘65, obviously. ere was still time for Joe Cuddihy to notch his sides nal score of the day and seal their place in the Leinster semi- nal this weekend.

Final Score, MLR 0-16, Shamrocks of Ballyhale 0-22

Ballyhale Shamrocks: Dean Mason; Darren Mullen, Joey Holden, Kevin Mullen; Evan She in (0-01), Richie Reid, Brian Butler; Darragh Corcoran, Ronan Corcoran (0-01); Brian Cody (0-04), TJ Reid (0-06, 0-03f, 0-01 65), Colin Fennelly; Adrian Mullen (0-03), Eoin Cody (0-03), Joe Cuddihy (0-04). Subs: Eoin Reid for Darren Mullen, Gavin Butler for Brian Butler, Eoin Kenneally for Cuddihy Mount Leinster Rangers: Dean Grennan; Michael Doyle, David Phelan, Gary Kelly (001); Gary Lawlor, Diarmuid Byrne, Richard Kelly; Paul Coady, Richard Coady (0-01); Fiachra Fitzpatrick (0-01), Chris Nolan, Kevin McDonald; Denis Murphy (0-12, 0-11f), Edward Byrne, Jon Nolan. Subs: Ted Joyce (0-01) for Edward Byrne Referee: Richie Fitzsimons (O aly)

To the FOUR - Joe Cuddihy had a big input vs MLR, scoring 0-4

>> SHERRY SAYS...

For three quarters of this quarter- nal tie, James O’Connor’s men were in control. A blistering rst period saw Shamrocks 7-up at the rst water break. All 9 points from the Kilkenny side from play. Remarkable achievement for ‘winter hurling’. 9-up at the short whistle, all looked in order. Mid elder Brian Cody out- performing his engine-room partner, Ronan Corcoran. is Cody hitting 4 points. Adrian Mullen & Joe Cuddihy, the pick of the attacking six. Mullen in particular is looking sharper with every minute of championship action played. is augurs well for not only the club, but the county also. In defence, both Joey Holden and Richie Reid played superably, particularly in the rst half. Holden plucking lots of balls out of the sky and Richie mopping up from No.6. e second half saw lots of frees conceded, and this will be of concern to the Ballyhale management. e main source of scores for the opposition came from the hurl of Denis Murphy via the placed ball. As the journey in Leinster and beyond continues, we will need to tighten up a lot, in terms of giving away scorable frees. MLR will relive Jon Nolan’s second half goal chance over the dark winter evenings ahead. When he found himself with only the keeper to beat, most spectators would have been thinking a green ag was about to be raised – but Dean Mason wasn’t a spectator – his smothering save was huge and helped -stem the rising Rangers tide. e young keeper is building on his ever-growing reputation – I would imagine the older Brian Cody will have taken note. Next up for the champions in Leinster, is the challenge of the Faithful County’s top side St Rynaghs. Tullamore the likely venue in a couple of days’ time. Yes, they will provide a stern test, yes, they cause problems, but you ultimately feel that Colin Fennelly and co. Will prevail.

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Leinster AIB Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final St Rynaghs (Offaly) Vs

Shamrocks Ballyhale Shamrocks Ballyhale Bord Na Mona O Connor Bord Na Mona O Connor Park, Tullamore, Park, Tullamore, Sunday Sunday 1:00 PM 1:00 PM

THE Ballyhale machine will be back on the road this weekend, as they look to on the road this weekend, as they look to continue their impressive record in the Provincial continue their impressive record in the Provincial series, when they take on Faithful County champions series, when they take on Faithful County champions St Rynaghs in Tullamore on Sunday, in a bid to reach yet St Rynaghs in Tullamore on Sunday, in a bid to reach yet another Leinster club nal. another Leinster club nal.

St Rynaghs have actually won two senior hurling titles in the St Rynaghs have actually won two senior hurling titles in the last 6 months, as the deferred 2020 decider against Kilcormaclast 6 months, as the deferred 2020 decider against KilcormacKilloughey was only played in August, with the Banagher based team securing back-to-back county titles with a 6-point win. e 2021 nal played last month was a much tighter a air, with Ken Hogan’s side emerging 2-point winners, thanks to a de ected last gasp goal from wing-forward Stephen Quirke, to break the hearts gasp goal from wing-forward Stephen Quirke, to break the hearts of their Coolderry opponents. e win secured 3-in-a-row for St Rynaghs for the rst time since the 1970’s, and in doing so completed a title double for manager Hogan. e former Tipperary Goalkeeping legend had managed his native Lorrha to the Tipperary Junior B Camogie Championship title in the morning before travelling up to Tullamore to guide his St Rynaghs charges to their late, late win. e Premier County legend has something of the Midas touch. e Premier County legend has something of the Midas touch. Hogan, actually led Coolderry to back-to-back O aly titles in 2010 Hogan, actually led Coolderry to back-to-back O aly titles in 2010 & 2011. e O aly champions possess a decent attacking threat, with the likes of Luke O’Connor, Aidan Treacy and Aaron Kenny particularly potent. James O’Connor will hope that Joey Holden & Co will be on their game and be a little more disciplined in their defending compared to the 3rd quarter against MLR last their defending compared to the 3rd quarter against MLR last time out.

Indeed, the battle of the placed-ball Indeed, the battle of the placed-ball specialists could again prove crucial as specialists could again prove crucial as winter hurling continues.

In Aidan Treacy, the O aly side have In Aidan Treacy, the O aly side have a player who is deadly accurate from a player who is deadly accurate from long-range frees as well as the ‘bread long-range frees as well as the ‘bread and butter’ stu . TJ Reid never seems and butter’ stu . TJ Reid never seems to get ustered, whatever the occasion. to get ustered, whatever the occasion. His ability will be key, not only in terms of His ability will be key, not only in terms of placed balls, but also in roaming deeper placed balls, but also in roaming deeper and delivering quality ball to the likes and delivering quality ball to the likes of Eoin Cody, Adrian Mullen and Joe of Eoin Cody, Adrian Mullen and Joe Cuddihy.

Adrian Mullen’s resurgence this Adrian Mullen’s resurgence this season has shown glimpses of season has shown glimpses of why the hard-working talented why the hard-working talented forward was recently young hurler of the year. His ability to hurler of the year. His ability to secure possession and take a range of scores, especially given range of scores, especially given the conditions underfoot at this the conditions underfoot at this time of year. His link-up with Eoin time of year. His link-up with Eoin Cody and Joe Cuddihy could help Cody and Joe Cuddihy could help sway the tie in Shamrocks favour. e sway the tie in Shamrocks favour. e trio notched 10 points of their sides total trio notched 10 points of their sides total in the semi- nal win at Netwatch Cullen in the semi- nal win at Netwatch Cullen Park.

Again, winning the middle third will give Again, winning the middle third will give many clues as to which side will advance many clues as to which side will advance to the provincial nal to play the winners of to the provincial nal to play the winners of the other last four clash between Clough/ the other last four clash between Clough/ Ballacolla and Kilmacud Crokes. Ronan Ballacolla and Kilmacud Crokes. Ronan Corcoran has been hurling with tremendous Corcoran has been hurling with tremendous poise and skill this season, while his partner, poise and skill this season, while his partner, Brian Cody, came to the fore against MLR, Brian Cody, came to the fore against MLR, notching four points from play in the rst half. notching four points from play in the rst half. ey are likely to come against Joseph O’Connor ey are likely to come against Joseph O’Connor and Ronan Hughes in the St Rynaghs engine and Ronan Hughes in the St Rynaghs engine room.

MLR manager, and Clara native Conor Phelan MLR manager, and Clara native Conor Phelan described Ballyhale as the ‘best team in the described Ballyhale as the ‘best team in the county’ in the wake of his sides 6-point defeat to the county’ in the wake of his sides 6-point defeat to the Shamrocks. It would take a brave man to argue against the sentiments of Phelan. Sunday will be another step on the journey in retaining their All-Ireland title. It would take a brave man to argue against the sentiments of Phelan. Sunday will be another step on the journey in retaining their All-Ireland title. Richie Reid clears his lines

Ballyhale seek Offaly win in bi d for final

Eoin Cody will look to evade his markers

All pix: Danny Lahart

St Rynaghs stand in Shamrocks way as Hogan plots upset

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

2021 AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Hurling Cham ionshi semi final Naas Hurling Club vs Glenmore Newbridge 1:00 PM

Alan Murphy

IT’S Newbridge or nowhere tomorrow for Glenmore and their travelling army of supporters, as Declan Wall’s team bid for a place in this year’s AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship nal. e Kilkenny Intermediate champions can expect a vociferous challenge when they face Nass at the home of Kildare GAA tomorrow.

Naas are a huge club. ey have over 80 teams participating across Football, hurling and camogie. is year has seen success at county level for both their is year has seen success at county level for both their senior footballers and intermediate hurlers, with both senior footballers and intermediate hurlers, with both teams involved in semi- nal action in their respective teams involved in semi- nal action in their respective tournaments.

Adding a little more spice to tomorrow’s hurling Adding a little more spice to tomorrow’s hurling semi- nal, is the fact that Naas are managed semi- nal, is the fact that Naas are managed by Glenmore native Tom Mullally. ese by Glenmore native Tom Mullally. ese xtures have a habit of throwing up xtures have a habit of throwing up little side stories such as this one! little side stories such as this one!

Mullally is also the Carlow hurling manager, and it is with hurling manager, and it is with one of its most revered teams one of its most revered teams that he excelled at club level. that he excelled at club level. In 2013 the Glenmore man led Mount Leinster Rangers to the Leinster senior title, and to the All-Ireland club nal, where they lost out to Portumna. A brother of former Kilkenny players Richie and Paddy, he coached Clara in Kilkenny to the 2013 county senior — their rst in 27 years. He was Wexford U21 manager in 2018, Wexford U21 manager in 2018, steering them to the Leinster nal, though they lost to Galway nal, though they lost to Galway in the star-studded clash.

So Tom knows what it takes to So Tom knows what it takes to get over the line at the highest level get over the line at the highest level in club hurling, and no doubt, he will in club hurling, and no doubt, he will have a plan to try and derail his home clubs have a plan to try and derail his home clubs attempts to reach this seasons intermediate attempts to reach this seasons intermediate nal.

Naas completed their 3-in-a-row county titles by staging Naas completed their 3-in-a-row county titles by staging a great comeback to defeat Celbridge last month. eir captain Brian Byrne, is a dual player, and was part of the senior football side that won their rst county title in over 30 years recently. Byrne scored 2-29 across the county competition. e Kildare champions scored heavily in their county championship, amassing an impressive 25-128 scoring total, and conceding just 5-56 in the six games played. Corner-forward Jack Sheridan, incidentally, a cousin of their captain, is their main marksman, the talented attacker notched 6-35 in their run to the county title.

Glenmore will need to be disciplined in the tackle, as Sheridan is deadly accurate from the placed ball. It could well be Sean Duggan that has the role of picking up the Naas danger man, and he may need the help of others to nullify Sheridan’s threat. James Burke, Cathal Dowling and Shane Ryan have also registered decent tallies in their sides march to Leinster.

In mid eld, Naas will look to Simon Lacey to occupy Philly Roche and Billy Reid. Lacey scored the all-important goal in their county nal win. In defence, full-back Richard Hogan has been hugely impressive, and will be assisted at wing-back by the hardworking Kevin Whelan.

In their recent Leinster quarter- nal against Dublin champions, Castleknock, Mullally’s men made light work of the capital side, winning 1-21 to 1-6. It should be noted that the Dublin side played with 14 men for three-quarters of the game.

Ok, enough about Naas.

Glenmore come into this semi- nal on the back of a quarter nal win over Laois side Ballinakill. While not at their free- owing best, Declan Wall’s men showed enough to suggest that there is still plenty left in the tank, and another gear of two to go up, if and when required.

During their run to this stage, Glenmore have been ticking along nicely. Let’s start with the Murphy’s. Alan has been precision personi ed from the placed ball and Mullally will have his side warned not to present many opportunities to Alan. In Defence, his bothers Shane and Eoin have been instrumental in helping Glenmore return to the top table of Kilkenny club hurling. Eoin’s reading of the game and ability to drive forward and deliver quality ball to his forwards is a thing of beauty. Meanwhile, Shane will marshal the defence from wing-back and can be utilised as a

All pix: Danny Lahart

Mark Aylward - the link man

Murphy’s out to oust Mullally!

Glenmore blood in both camps as Naas seek cats scalp

Shane Murphy man-marker if the job requires it. Roche and Reid in the engine room Roche and Reid in the engine room will give their opponents plenty to will give their opponents plenty to think about and won’t be found think about and won’t be found wanting if things get hot and wanting if things get hot and heavy. heavy. e front six of the Kilkenny e front six of the Kilkenny intermediate champions intermediate champions possess an array of talent possess an array of talent and skills that will trouble and skills that will trouble the best back lines in the country. Led by captain Ger Aylward at fullforward, who notched 1-3 from play last time out, the forward unit can have a huge say in the winning of tomorrow’s game. Ger’s brother Mark, Ian Byrne will run all day and will will run all day and will can cause provide great support from provide great support from

Naas a deeper position. Liam a deeper position. Liam problems Hennessey, who by his own Hennessey, who by his own standards was quiet in the standards was quiet in the quart- nal win, can call the quart- nal win, can call the shots from No.11. Robbie Fitz will shots from No.11. Robbie Fitz will buzz around all over the place buzz around all over the place and get on plenty of ball. and get on plenty of ball. is should mean that is should mean that the likes of Ger and the likes of Ger and Ian Byrne get plenty Ian Byrne get plenty of chances to trouble of chances to trouble the score board. the score board. is one has the is one has the makings of a real makings of a real ding-dong battle. ding-dong battle. Let’s hope there Let’s hope there is only one is only one Glenmore Glenmore man on the man on the losing side losing side on Saturday on Saturday evening. evening. #hontheglenG #hontheglenG

Glenmore shooting for victory