Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship final @ UPMC Nowlan Park

Ballyhale Shamrocks 3-19 O’Loughlin Gaels 3-15 Shamrocks of Ballyhale are Kilkenny Senior Hurling Kilkenny Senior Hurling Champions for the Champions for the FOURTH year running. FOURTH year running. James O’Connor’s men were made to work hard over the course of the 60-odd minutes, and at course of the 60-odd minutes, and at times it wasn’t all plain sailing.

Following their semi- nal win over the Village, Shamrocks started the showpiece with Eoin Reid at corner forward and Kevin Mullen at corner back. O’Loughlin’s gave the impressive Robbie Buckley a starting berth following his showing against Tullaroan.

From the throw-in Shamrocks went on the o ensive. County Captain Adrian Mullan played a lovely pass to Colin Fennelly, who ran bared down on the O’Loughlin’s ran bared down on the O’Loughlin’s goal, only to be held up by some last goal, only to be held up by some last ditch defending, which resulted in a ‘65 ditch defending, which resulted in a ‘65 to the champions. TJ stepped up and red to the champions. TJ stepped up and red his rst shot of the day between the posts to his rst shot of the day between the posts to open the scoring in front of the raucous crowd open the scoring in front of the raucous crowd in attendance.

Andy Comerford’s charges responded. eir Andy Comerford’s charges responded. eir championship top scorer, Mark Bergin tried for a point, but it took a touch of a Shamrocks player, and went behind for a ‘65. From this, Bergin’s e ort dropped short, was missed by Richie Reid and de ected o keeper Dean Mason for another ‘65. Bergin would make no mistake from this placed ball. e sides were level on 4 minutes.

After some scrappy play, O’Loughlin’s left-half back Conor Heary struck a majestic long-range score, to continue his cracking form this season, one which see him elevated to gain county honours in the spring.

In the next move, Shamrocks moved the ball to Brian Cody who struck a great point from out the eld, to tie the game after 7 minutes. e rst of six green ags would be raised less than a minute later. A great sideline cut from deep inside the O’Loughlin’s half was misjudged by Joey Holden. e ball broke to the ever-alert Robbie Buckley who darted through the gap, before o -loading to Owen Wall. e No. 13 took the pass before cutting inside his marker and blasted beyond Dean Mason to the net, giving his side a 3-point lead early on.

O’Loughlin’s looked ravenous, they hunted in packs, anything that moved they pounced on. ey won a sideline cut, which inspirational county-star Paddy Deegan attended to. Deegan played it short, before collecting the return pass and ring a lovely point from far-out on the right touchline. e Gaels smelt blood.

Ballyhale needed to settle. Adrian Mullen then found Colin Fennelly, who despite the attentions of a couple of opposition players slipped the pass back to Mullen, who red over the bar to reduce the de cit. From the next play, Joey Holden burst out from the back and found the classy Ronan Corcoran in space. e rangy mid elder laid the ball o to Joe Cuddihy who took a lovely point to keep his side in touch.

Huw Lawlor then intercepted a pass and strode forward before passing to Mark Bergin. Bergin tried to race clear of the Shamrocks players in attendance, but as he went to shoot, referee Owen Beehan, adjudged Adrian Mullen to have pulled his arm. e accurate Bergin punished the foul and left three between the sides again. Referee Beehan then awarded Ballyhale a free over on the far sideline, which TJ duly knocked over the leave his side two points down at the rst water break.

O’Loughlin’s would have been happy enough, 2 ahead at the end of the rst period. ey were winning most of the 50/50 exchanges and rst to every breaking ball.

When play resumed, the city side won another sideline cut. In a carbon copy of an earlier one, No.14 Paddy Deegan went short to Robbie Buckley, who returned the pass and again Deegan red over from an acute angle. e crowd roared. Deegan reveled in it.

A couple of minutes later, Richie Reid hit a low pass to the onrunning Colin Fennelly. As the full-forward tried to gather possession, O’Loughlin’s full-back, Forristal was harshly blown for what appeared to be a soft enough foul. Tj struck it over to bring it back to a 2-point game.

From the puck-out Paddy Deegan, who had roamed deeper out the eld took a ne pass from David Fogarty, who was winning his battle with Eoin Reid. Deegan scanned ahead and saw a cross- eld run by

Owen Wall scores O’Loughlin’s first goal

All pix: Danny Lahart

Paddy Deegan

Shamrocks bag 4-in-a-row in Gael force battle

Bally-Brilliant!

Huw Lawlor gets out in front of TJ

Brian Butler about to ice the cake goal scorer Owen Wall, and duly found the corner-forward who beat his man before notching the point. who beat his man before notching the point.

Tj Reid then sprung from a posse of players before Tj Reid then sprung from a posse of players before popping a pass to Richie on half-way, who made popping a pass to Richie on half-way, who made no mistake with a ne point. the city side’s keeper no mistake with a ne point. the city side’s keeper

Murphy, then drove the ball far into Shamrocks Murphy, then drove the ball far into Shamrocks territory. Owen Wall gathered before passing to territory. Owen Wall gathered before passing to Mark Bergin who could only shoot to the side netting. Fennelly, dropped a little deeper in a bid to escape the clutches of Forristal, won possession and passed to the forward running Ronan Corcoran, who took a few steps and slotted over. Paddy Deegan then did likewise. He gathered Paddy Deegan then did likewise. He gathered possession from the puck-out before cutting in from possession from the puck-out before cutting in from the right touchline to re over, once the angle was the right touchline to re over, once the angle was right. right.

In one of many little scrappy passages of play, Robbie In one of many little scrappy passages of play, Robbie Buckley collected the ball and tried to make headway, Buckley collected the ball and tried to make headway, before being halted illegally by Brian Cody. Mark before being halted illegally by Brian Cody. Mark Bergin, again made the opposition pay as he Bergin, again made the opposition pay as he swung over the free, the Gaels a goal to the swung over the free, the Gaels a goal to the good again. good again. Shamrocks then played a long ball in Shamrocks then played a long ball in the direction of Eoin Cody, who had the direction of Eoin Cody, who had been struggling to get into the game. been struggling to get into the game. Cody Fielded the ball brilliantly, Cody Fielded the ball brilliantly, despite being held round the despite being held round the neck by his nearest marker, this neck by his nearest marker, this was rightly blown up and TJ was rightly blown up and TJ dispatched the free between the sticks. Conor Heary then showed again, why many think he’s county material. Heary to possession, bounced o a couple of Shamrocks players before passing to Robbie Buckley. Eoin O’Shea then took over before popping the took over before popping the ball back to Heary, who drove a ball back to Heary, who drove a magni cent shot over the bar, from magni cent shot over the bar, from tight out on the touchline. tight out on the touchline. Some poor play saw a wayward Some poor play saw a wayward cross- eld pass make its way cross- eld pass make its way to the deadly Bergin, to the deadly Bergin, who dummied his who dummied his marker, before ring marker, before ring between the posts. between the posts. O’Loughlin’s now led O’Loughlin’s now led by four and had the by four and had the champions rattled. champions rattled. Comerford’s side Comerford’s side

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Bally-Brilliant!

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went in search of another score. e ball was played to Paddy Deegan who when charging forward took a blow to the head area from Kevin Mullen’s Hurl. Luckily for Ballyhale, referee Beehan didn’t even see it as a foul and play continued.

Mark Bergin then snapped up possession on the break and advanced before stroking over a nice point to put his team 5 up. Shamrocks needed to hit back before the interval and they did. First up was TJ. He was found with a lovely pass from Ronan Corcoran and was never missing. en just before the short whistle, Darragh Corcoran raced forward on the left-wing before striking a lovely point on the run.

Fenian’s ref, Beehan blew for half-time. O’Loughlin’s led by 3 points, 1-11 to 0-11, but it could have been so much better, had even half of their eight wides gone over. interestingly, they only had four scorers on the board, Shamrocks had seven.

When the second half got underway, Shamrocks searched for a score. Like the rst period, they would open the scoring, thanks to TJ, who pointed from a free deep in his own half. e county veteran, then showed he is human, when his next attempt from play was just pulled wide. You could sense pulled wide. You could sense

Colin Fennelly and Donna Malone li the cup

County captain Adrian Mullen leads the celebrations

that James O’Connor has clearly asked his team to up their intensity and work-rate.

Jack Nolan then broke forward for the home side, before his run was curtailed by a couple of Ballyhale players, one of whom, Adrian Mullen was rather fortunate to escape unpunished when it appeared his knees made contact with the O’Loughlin’s

mid elder while on the ground. Again, Bergin punished the indiscretion to restore their 3-point lead.

Ballyhale then struck. TJ launched a long probing ball into the danger zone. Eoin Reid won possession before striking for goal. His attempt was saved by captain and keeper Murphy, but the rebound fell to the onrushing Joe Cuddihy, who said thank you very much. e sides were level. Game on.

O’Loughlin’s needed to steady the ship, but unfortunately for them, things were about to get worse.

Some sloppy play from Mikey Butler resulted in a sideline cut to the champions under the main stand. TJ took aim and red the ball forward. Adrian Mullen who had been kept relatively quiet by the impressive Conor Heary, rose highest and produced a batted nish to hit the net. Shamrocks now led by 3.

Andy Comerford’s side looked shell-shocked. Eoin O’Shea then hot a lovely long-range e ort to stop the rot. Ballyhale’s tails were up. Eoin Cody was then given a glimpse of goal. His wellstruck shot was de ected behind by keeper Murphy. TJ stepped up and struck the ‘65 which the umpires signaled as a point after a slight delay.

As both sides tried to win possession, Jack Nolan emerged with the ball and headed for goal, before slipping a nice pass to Paddy Deegan who blasted to the net. e sides were level again. e crowd were being treated to a great county nal.

Huw Lawlor then charged forward before passing to Deegan who in turn found the tricky Wall, who batted the ball over the bar to put his side back into the lead at the second water break.

O’Loughlin’s manager, Comerford was very animated during the short interval... he knew his side were in a great place.

Play resumed. Ballyhale centre –back, Richie Reid took a great catch before nding Joe Cuddihy. His lovely batted pass found the strong running Ronan Corcoran in lots of space on the left and he red over another top score. e city side then fashioned a goal chance. Paddy butler picked up possession and raced forward before unleashing his shot. Keeper Dean Mason took the sting o it, before Joey Holden on the line stood rm and collected

Ballyhale then struck. TJ launched a long probing attempt was saved by captain forward before passing to Deegan who in turn found the tricky Wall, who batted the ball over the bar to put his side back into the lead at the second water break.

O’Loughlin’s manager, Comerford was very animated during the short interval... he knew his side were in a great place.

Play resumed. Ballyhale centre –back, Richie Reid took a great catch before nding Joe Cuddihy. His lovely batted pass found the strong running Ronan Corcoran in lots of space on the left and he red over another top score. e city side then fashioned a goal chance. Paddy butler picked up possession and raced forward before unleashing his shot. Keeper Dean Mason took the sting o it, before Joey Holden on the line stood rm and collected

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the ball. is seemed to inspire the champions. Eoin Reid then dropped deep to win possession, he popped the pass to brother TJ, who notched a lovely score from play.

e Ballyhale mid eld was winning the engine room battle. Ronan Corcoran won the ball before slipping it to his partner Brian Cody, who like in the rst half, struck another great point from distance.

Rio then collected the ball following a mistake by David Fogarty and he duly punished the error by pointing. TJ then won a free which saw Jordan Molloy booked. Double punishment, TJ pointed the placed ball. Majestic mid elder Ronan Corcoran then struck his 3rd point, and possibly his best of the day shortly afterwards to leave his side up by 5.

Kevin Mullen then cleared out of defence towards the half–way line. in the ensuing scramble, his fellow corner-back partner, Brian Butler picked up the ball and travelled some 60 yards with great skill and balance before ring to the net. 53 minutes gone, Ballyhale up by EIGHT. e Gaels needed goals, and quickly. Mark Bergin raced in on goal before his one-handed e ort was batted away by Dean Mason. e drama wasn’t over. Secondhalf sub, Danny Loughnane burst through the middle before being upended by a combination of Shamrocks

Ballyhale 4-ina-row winners

defenders. PENALTY! Darragh Corcoran got a yellow card for his troubles. Paddy Deegan stepped up and struck the penalty which was brilliantly saved by Dean Mason.

Deegan would make amends shortly afterwards, when another probing run by Loughnane saw him nd Deegan who nished from a tight angle to the net. In the aftermath of the goal, Loughnane and Dean Mason were involved in a heated exchange, some would say handbags. e sub also through the ball at a defender before leaving the scene of the crime. Referee Beehan consulted with his umpires before issuing Loughnane with a red card.

In the closing seconds, O’Loughlin’s tried again to breach the Ballyhale net, but Jordan Molloy’s e ort was a little too strong and sailed over the bar. eir race was run. Ballyhale had won. Next up – Carlow champions, Mount Leinster Rangers in two weeks’ time. e battle for Leinster continues.

>> SHERRY SAYS...

A County nal be tting of Hurling’s most decorated county. ankfully, this year the seats weren’t empty. e watching faithful were treated to a real spectacle. It was a game that swung both ways, O’Loughlin’s up by 5, Shamrocks 3 ahead, a drawn game.

Andy Comerford will have been very proud of his team’s e ort on the day, but will no doubt rue the wide count and a very ‘old school’ approach to refereeing from Fenians clubman Owen Beehan.

On another day, in another county, more fouls would have been awarded. Kevin Mullen may have left the stage early when his hurl met the face of Paddy Deegan. Aside from that, I enjoyed watching two supremely talented sides go at it. e ref also appeared to enjoy the cut and thrust, the contact, the skirmishes. Like I say - ‘old school’.

Let’s talk about Paddy Deegan. Anyone unfamiliar with the inter-county defender, would have thought this was a seasoned inter-county forward at work. Make no mistake about it, Deegan is an exceptional hurler, whatever the position. His partnership with corner forward Owen Wall is a joy to watch. Wall, another who must be on the brink of senior county game time. His goal was delightful.

Huw Lawlor also excelled. e man on his left, Conor Heary – capped a ne season with a couple of stunning points, and also did a decent job on Adrian Mullen.

Now to the winners, the 4-in-a-row boys from Ballyhale. Panic never set in. Even when 4 or 5 points down, they kept the faith and executed their manager, James O’Connor’s plan perfectly. TJ again, led the way, in terms of scoring and leading by example. He often roamed deep inside his own half to help secure possession. Finishing the day with 0-9, TJ was once again un appable, taking the hits as he bounced o players around the pitch.

Richie Reid was a dominant presence at No.6. protecting the area in front of his full-back line with an astute presence. In front of him were Messrs. Brian Cody and TG4’s man of the match Ronan Corcoran.

Cody hit two wonderful long-range points and with his partner, got through a lot of the ‘dirty work’. Ronan Corcoran was again, majestic. He was everywhere, and weighed in with 3 classy scores. e watching Mr. B Cody will no doubt have noted the developing in uence Corcoran is on this Ballyhale machine.

Joe Cuddihy stepped up again and nished with 1-1, as did Adrian Mullen who isn’t shy of putting himself about! e goal of day, however came from an unlikely source – corner-back Brian Butler. On 53 minutes, he collected the ball some 60 yards out from the O’Loughlin’s goal and showed great pace, balance and skill before striking past keeper Murphy. GAME, SET, MATCH SHAMROCKS!!

Afterwards, Captain and 2-time All-Star Colin Fennelly, announced that he wouldn’t be putting his lot in again with the county. What a servant. What a player. What a captain. Comhghairdeas Na Seamróga!

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling Championship

Glenmore V St Lachtain’s @ UPMC Nowlan Park. Throw-in 2pm FOLLOWING a pulsating senior county nal last weekend, the top two teams at nal last weekend, the top two teams at intermediate level go head-to-head at intermediate level go head-to-head at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday. UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday.

To be crowned champions is To be crowned champions is special, but the real prize is special, but the real prize is to join the likes of Ballyhale to join the likes of Ballyhale and O’Loughlin’s in next and O’Loughlin’s in next seasons premier hurling arena.

Both sides will fancy their chances of winning, so it has all the hallmarks of a close encounter. Many pundits expected Henry She in’s omastown side to collect the Saints star Bergin had a brilliant semi-final Hanrahan Cup this year, following last season’s penalty shootout season’s penalty shootout drama, but Declan Wall’s drama, but Declan Wall’s side ensured that Henry wouldn’t head to the west as wouldn’t head to the west as an intermediate champion. an intermediate champion.

Having claimed the scalp of Having claimed the scalp of the bookie’s favourites, the Páirc the bookie’s favourites, the Páirc na Ratha based side will take to the na Ratha based side will take to the turf on Sunday, no longer the underdog. turf on Sunday, no longer the underdog. How they cope with this tag, could help How they cope with this tag, could help determine the outcome of the game.

Glenmore are back-boned by the Murphy’s - Eoin, Alan and Shane. ese three gentlemen are very important cogs in the south Kilkenny side’s machine. Eoin is the current inter-county netminder, but plays with No.6 on his back at club level and dictates the play, much like his county team mate, Padraig Walsh. Tough and uncompromising, Eoin is also capable of notching a score.

Shane Murphy is normally found at wing-back, and isn’t shy in getting forward either. e furthest forward of the clan, is Alan. An industrious wing-forward, he has also been a part of the inter-county setup. Alan Know’s where the posts are and is normally reliable from the placed ball when required. If the brother’s click, it will be a huge advantage to the green & gold.

In this year’s intermediate championship, Glenmore’s top scorer to date is corner forward Ian Byrne. the nippy attacker has amassed 1-10 in his two appearances, 1-8 of which came in his sides 8-point victory over Danesfort in the quarter- nal tie, also stages at UPMC Nowlan Park. Whichever Freshford defender gets the nod to pick up Byrne, will need to stand rm.

Captain Ger Aylward will no doubt prove a handful for the opposing full-back, and will be keen to keep the score board ticking over. His battle could be with Harry Burke, who coped admirably with veteran forward JJ Delaney in the saint’s semi- nal win over Fenians. Centre-forward Liam Hennessey will be hoping to provide a link between the middle third and the scoring forwards. ey will have been alarmed by the number of wide’s, last time out, and will be

All pix: Danny Lahart

A place at the top table up for grabs

Glenmore & Saints go for Glory

Sean Duggan Darragh Maher hoping that stat doesn’t become a problem in the nal.

Corner-back, Sean Duggan had Corner-back, Sean Duggan had a solid semi- nal performance a solid semi- nal performance and Glenmore will look and Glenmore will look to him to deal with the to him to deal with the undoubted threat that undoubted threat that the Freshford attack the Freshford attack will pose. We could will pose. We could well see Duggan well see Duggan pick up St Lachtain’s joint captain, Shane Donnelly. Also, No.3, Eoin Aylward will need to be strong when confronting Cian Dawson, the Maher’s

Shane Donnelly turns away from his man and other late-running opponents.

In mid eld, Declan Wall’s side will be hoping to at least break even with their fellow nalists. Philip Roche will come against a formidable opponent in the other joint captain, John Fitzpatrick. I expect the mid eld sector to be crowded throughout the game, with the half-backs from both side’s surging forward.

Freshford manager Steven Farrell will have every con dence in their top scorer this season, Liam Hickey. In his three championship games to date, the classy forward has notched a personal tally of 2-21. In the semi- nal victory over Johnstown, Hickey recorded 2-5. Johnstown, Hickey recorded 2-5. It will be a crucial match-up and It will be a crucial match-up and one that Glenmore will hope to one that Glenmore will hope to get right. Could it be a job for a get right. Could it be a job for a

Murphy? Time will tell. Murphy? Time will tell. Hickey has some good Hickey has some good company in the front six. company in the front six. Cian Dawson, Shane Cian Dawson, Shane Donnelly and the Donnelly and the Mahers, Darragh and Mahers, Darragh and county man James will county man James will be hoping to provide be hoping to provide a stern test for the a stern test for the Glenmore defence. e busy Alexander Rafter will no doubt be everywhere. A great link man, he great link man, he also impressed against also impressed against Fenians, and covered Fenians, and covered every blade of grass. every blade of grass. Criomhtann Bergin was Criomhtann Bergin was very in uential in the very in uential in the semi- nal, and was very well semi- nal, and was very well utilised as the extra man when utilised as the extra man when the opposition were reduced to the opposition were reduced to 14 men. Noel McGree is probably 14 men. Noel McGree is probably pushing for a start, given his role in pushing for a start, given his role in their previous game, if not he will their previous game, if not he will certainly be sprung from the bench. certainly be sprung from the bench.

Experienced keeper Darren Brennan will look to secure the Brennan will look to secure the bragging rights and come out on bragging rights and come out on top against his county positional top against his county positional rival, Eoin Murphy. I think Eoin rival, Eoin Murphy. I think Eoin might well fancy hitting a score or might well fancy hitting a score or two to show who’s the real No.1! two to show who’s the real No.1!

Let’s hope this game delivers a feast of hurling for the supporters. feast of hurling for the supporters.

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

ST LACHTAIN’S

First round - St. Lachtain’s, 2-14 - 0-16, John Locke’s Quarter-final - Carrickshock, 1-14 - 1-17, St. Lachtain’s Semi-final - Fenians, 0-10 - 2-12, St. Lachtain’s GLENMORE

Quarter-final - Glenmore, 2-15 - 0-13, Danesfort Semi-final - Thomastown, 1-13 - 0-19, Glenmore

>> SHERRY SAYS...

THE winners get the golden ticket. at’s the major prize at stake when Glenmore battle St Lachtain’s on Sunday.

In Liam Hickey & Ian Byrne, we will see two in-form attackers involved in a shoot-out, the winner getting to ply their trade at senior level next season.

Eoin & Alan Murphy, James Maher & Darren Brennan. ese players want to be testing themselves at club level against TJ Reid, Paddy Deegan, Joey Holden, Huw Lawlor, Padraig Walsh & co.

Like all big games, the match-ups will be key. Keeping Hickey & Byrne quiet could be the secret to getting over the line on Sunday.

Managers Wall and Farrell want the result, the performance can be discussed over the winter.

I’m looking forward to seeing Eoin Murphy @ 6, expressing himself and being his team’s ‘Quarter-back’. Freshford will be Grounded! Liam keen to limit his in uence on proceedings and will view this Hennessey protects as crucial. the ball UPMC Nowlan Park will be ready for this battle. Let’s hope it delivers great hurling and a touch of drama!