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BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR
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AIB All-Ireland Club Hurling Championship final Ballygunner 2-17 Shamrocks 1-19
Croke Park, Saturday February 12th 2022
Shamrocks Ballyhale’s quest for a ninth Tommy Moore Cup and a 3rd on the bounce were shot-down in dramatic fashion in injury time, as Waterford’s Ballygunner snatched victory from almost certain defeat at Croke Park last Saturday.
Substitute Harry Ruddle, smashed a shot from some 25 metres, that cruelly beat Dean Mason and nestled in the Shamrocks net deep into injury time. It was to be the nal act of a pulsating nal, as Wexford whistler, James Owens blew for full time as the Ballyhale players, mentors and supporters were shocked to their core at the Deise late, late show.
Ballyhale took the lead in the rst minute thanks to a free from TJ Reid, out on the right side of Croker, after the semi- nal hero himself was fouled. e Gunners responded within a minute through a ne point from Mikey Mahony under the Hogan Stand. Captain, Colin Fennelly then picked up the ball and headed straight for goal. e No.14 was fouled but Shamrocks played on with the advantage and when Joe Cuddihy took possession, his shot went wide. Referee Owens, brought the play back for the foul, and TJ popped it over to give his side the lead again after 3 minutes.
A well-worked sideline cut saw the sliotar arrive with Mikey Mahony and he duly split the posts to level things up. Again, the current Tommy Moore Cup holders responded. More industrious foraging from Fennelly saw Adrian Mullen take the ball, cut inside his marker and slot over for a nice score. e rst impact of the in-form Dessie Hutchinson was next up. e lively attacker evaded marker Darren Mullen and full-back Joey Holden before ring over a good point. e same player then took possession near the end line on the right-hand side before playing a lovely cross- eld pass to Billy O’Keefe who took the point, much to the delight of the Waterford faithful in the stands. en the Deise side moved the ball around patiently, before nding Kevin Mahony who ri ed over the bar to put his side two points clear after 16 minutes.
Ballygunner were looking hungry, they appeared to be rst to all breaking balls, and were hunting down their more illustrious opponents, and forcing turnovers all over the Croke Park pitch. e only thing that was hurting the challengers was the number of wides being registered. e Kilkenny side pulled one back shortly afterwards, when mid elder Patrick Mullen struck over a ne long-range point. e next score was also to be a Shamrocks one. e ball was passed to wing-back Evan She in, who struck over a monstrous score from his own ‘65. e next passage of play saw the unusually quiet Eoin Cody take the ball before racing clear of his marker and showing good skill before striking over a quality point. Darren Mullen then found his way into the referee’s notebook, following a high challenge
Shamrocks GUNNED down in injury time drama
Ballyhale’s historic bid denied by Deise champions
All pix: Danny Lahart
Harry the hero - Harry Ruddle
Dessie Hutchinson scores a goal
on Dessie Hutchinson on 21 minutes. e Gunners free-taking specialist, Pauric
Mahony scored from the placed ball to deadlock the sides again. ball to deadlock the sides again. en followed a really en followed a really embarrassing moment. As embarrassing moment. As several players tried to win several players tried to win possession of the ball, possession of the ball, Ballygunner mid elder Ballygunner mid elder Paddy Leavey emerged with the sliotar before appearing the sliotar before appearing to have been ‘taken out’ to have been ‘taken out’ by a sniper on the roof of by a sniper on the roof of Croker. It was one of the Croker. It was one of the most theatrical dives ever most theatrical dives ever seen during any game of seen during any game of hurling. Not nice to see, hurling. Not nice to see, and hopefully his team and hopefully his team mates and mentors will mates and mentors will have a quiet word in the have a quiet word in the player’s ear. player’s ear. Eoin Cody then looked Eoin Cody then looked to threaten the Deise side’s to threaten the Deise side’s goal again, but his e ort was goal again, but his e ort was cleared behind for a ‘65, which cleared behind for a ‘65, which
TJ Reid slotted over to edge his TJ Reid slotted over to edge his side ahead. Evan She in then side ahead. Evan She in then took possession from the pucktook possession from the puckout before slipping the ball to out before slipping the ball to
TJ who red over a magni cent TJ who red over a magni cent score from half-way, which was score from half-way, which was roundly cheered by the travelling roundly cheered by the travelling
Shamrocks supporters. IT Shamrocks supporters. IT
Carlow student, Eoin Cody Carlow student, Eoin Cody then laid-o a nice pass to the then laid-o a nice pass to the supporting Brian Cody, who supporting Brian Cody, who slotted over a ne score slotted over a ne score to extend the Ballyhale to extend the Ballyhale lead to 3 points. Brian lead to 3 points. Brian Butler then came Butler then came to the Leinster to the Leinster Champions rescue, Champions rescue, when he managed when he managed to block a erce to block a erce e ort from Billy e ort from Billy O’Keefe, which O’Keefe, which would certainly would certainly have troubled have troubled Dean Mason. Dean Mason. Darragh Darragh Corcoran Corcoran and and Kevin Kevin Mahony Mahony then then had their had their names names taken taken by the by the referee, referee, following following some some ‘handbags’ ‘handbags’
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Evan She lin pulls one out of the air
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as they got acquainted with each other. e very impressive Evan She in then played a lovely ball towards Adrian Mullen who took a great catch, before being fouled just around the ’D’. TJ stepped forward and popped over the placed ball to move Ballyhale 4 ahead.
Gunners’ mid elder Conor Sheahan then red a nice pass into Dessie Hutchinson, who made no mistake to take the last score of the opening period and leave his side three points behind at the break, 0-7 to 0-10.
Darragh O’Sullivan will no doubt have been unhappy at the number of opportunities that his side missed in the rst half, but he will have been impressed by their battling and the hunger shown.
James O’Connor made a change to his team during the interval, with Eoin Reid coming in for Conor Walsh. is move saw Brian Cody drop into the engine room to support Paddy Mullen.
Shamrocks were quick o the mark in the second half as well. ‘Rio’ found his brother TJ who red over a cracking point from out on the left. e Waterford point from out on the left. e Waterford side opened their account in the second period when an incisive run by Dessie Hutchinson saw the ball played to Mikey Mahony who popped the ball over. e Noresiders were then dealt a blow, when what appeared to be a hamstring injury saw Brian Butler leave the eld to be replaced by Kevin Mullen after just 2 minutes of the second half.
Patrick Mullen then conceded a free which the Ballygunner No.15, Pauric Mahony duly drilled over. Dessie Hutchinson’s movement and pace was causing problems for the Ballyhale defence, and the former soccer star created a chance for Billy O’Keefe, who took full advantage and pointed.
More battling saw Colin Fennelly win possession before striking over a really good point from the left side to leave his charges 2 points ahead. Referee Owens who was letting the game ow nicely, then awarded the Gunners another softish free, which Pauric Mahony dispatched with ease. Pauric would repeat the feat moments later, after repeat the feat moments later, after Patrick Mullen was carded for fouling the Patrick Mullen was carded for fouling the placed ball ace on 39 minutes.
Joe Cuddihy then took a superb high Joe Cuddihy then took a superb high catch before being halted illegally. catch before being halted illegally. is gave TJ the chance to add to his is gave TJ the chance to add to his tally, and he obliged. Cuddihy then tally, and he obliged. Cuddihy then hit one of the game’s best scores after hit one of the game’s best scores after a good advantage by ref Owens, to put a good advantage by ref Owens, to put Shamrocks two ahead. en just 2 Shamrocks two ahead. en just 2 minutes later, Colin Fennelly emerged minutes later, Colin Fennelly emerged from a posse of players and bared down from a posse of players and bared down on the Gunners goal. e captain then batted the ball goal wards, only then batted the ball goal wards, only for net minder Stephen O’Keefe to produce a stunning save to deny him. e Sliotar rebounded to the on-running Eoin Reid who ri ed it to on-running Eoin Reid who ri ed it to the Ballygunner net. Shamrocks lead the Ballygunner net. Shamrocks lead by 5, 0-12 to 1-14 with 43 minutes on by 5, 0-12 to 1-14 with 43 minutes on the clock.
Evan She in was then harshly adjudged to have over carried, when adjudged to have over carried, when the decision could have quite easily the decision could have quite easily gone the defender’s way. Pauric Mahony slotted the free over to reduce Mahony slotted the free over to reduce the champions lead to 4. e No.15 was the champions lead to 4. e No.15 was then fouled, and red over the resulting then fouled, and red over the resulting free.
TJ Reid who was getting through a TJ Reid who was getting through a mountain of work, then produced some mountain of work, then produced some good play, before passing to wing-back good play, before passing to wing-back Darragh Corcoran, who struck over a Darragh Corcoran, who struck over a mighty score from distance. e Waterford supporters were then e Waterford supporters were then
David Blanchfield in control
Evan She lin clears his lines Dessie Hutchinson beats Darren Mullen in the air before scoring Ballygunners first goal
Harry Ruddle scores the goal that broke Shamrocks hearts
Eoin Cody tries to escape the clutches of Ian Kenny Colin fennelly races towards goal
brought to their feet when Dessie Hutchinson took a long delivery nicely and sprinted away from Darren Mullen, before ring past Dean Mason to raise a green ag. e gap was now down to the minimum. Shamrocks regrouped and tagged on another point, thanks to Adrian Mullen who red over from ‘45 out. Another fantastic catch, this time from TJ Reid saw the imperious attacker make space before slotting the ball between the posts.
Richie Reid, who along with TJ and Evan She in were strong performers on the day, read the play well and made a great interception before bursting forward and pointing from distance to put the Shamrocks 4 up in the 55th minute. e Waterford side’s main threat from open play, Dessie Hutchinson was proving to be a real menace to the Noresiders. Once again, he got on the ball and red over to keep his side in touch. e gap was further reduced shortly after, when Kevin Mahony got the better in a tussle with Kevin Mullen, before pointing. Ballygunner were then given another free, this time on their own ‘65. e sublime Pauric Mahony, who had missed a couple earlier in the game, took on the responsibility and ri ed the free right over the ‘black spot’ to leave just the minimum between the nalists. One of Shamrocks outstanding performers on the day, Evan She in, again proved accurate from distance when he splits the posts to push the holders two ahead in the 2nd minute of the three additional minutes signaled. e Ballyhale supporters were jubilant, and preparing to celebrate an historic victory, in this their club’s 50th anniversary. e
score board read 1-17 to 1-19 in favour of Shamrocks Ballyhale. Darragh O’Sullivan’s men weren’t quite done yet. As the ball bobbled about on their own ‘65, the impressive Ian Kenny picked the ball up and found Paddy Leavey, who played a pass to Peter Hogan. e wing-forward looked up and passed to substitute Harry Ruddle on the Ballyhale ‘65. e No.17 continued his drive forward, and despite the best e orts of Darragh Corcoran, Ruddle raced in the ‘D’ before unleashing a shot from some outside the ‘21 that appeared to weave past several players and beat the diving Dean Mason tight at his right-hand post. Dean sprung to his feet to restart play, but Wexford referee Owens blew minute. e Waterford side’s main threat for full-time. e score board now read from open play, Dessie Hutchinson was Ballygunner 2-17, Shamrocks Ballyhale proving to be a 1-19. Ballygunner, the new AIB Allreal menace to the Ireland Club Hurling Champions. Noresiders. Once again, he got on the Ballygunner Scorers: Pauric Mahony (0ball and red over 7, 0-7f), Dessie Hutchinson (1-3), Harry to keep his side in Ruddle (1-0), Mikey Mahony (0-3), Billy touch. O’Kee e (0-2), Kevin Mahony (0-2). e gap was Ballyhale Shamrocks Scorers: TJ Reid further reduced (0-8, 0-4f, 0-1 ‘65), Eoin Reid (1-0), Evan shortly after, when She in (0-2), Adrian Mullen (0-2), Richie Kevin Mahony got Reid (0-1), Darragh Corcoran (0-1), the better in a tussle Patrick Mullen (0-1), Brian Cody (0-1), with Kevin Mullen, Colin Fennelly (0-1), Eoin Cody (0-1), before pointing. Joseph Cuddihy (0-1). Ballygunner Ballygunner- Stephen O’Kee e; Ian were then given Kenny, Barry Coughlan, Tadhg Foley; another free, this Shane O’Sullivan, Philip Mahony, Ronan time on their own Power; Conor Sheahan, Paddy Leavey; ‘65. e sublime Dessie Hutchinson, Mikey Mahony, Peter Pauric Mahony, Hogan; Billy O’Kee e, Kevin Mahony, who had missed a Pauric Mahony. couple earlier in Subs: Cormac Power for O’Kee e 46 the game, took on mins, Harry Ruddle for Sheahan 53 mins. the responsibility Shamrocks- Dean Mason; Darren and ri ed the free Mullen, Joey Holden, Brian Butler; right over the ‘black Evan She in, Richie Reid, Darragh spot’ to leave just the Corcoran; Conor Walsh, Patrick Mullen; minimum between Adrian Mullen, TJ Reid, Brian Cody; Joey the nalists. Cuddihy, Colin Fennelly, Eoin Cody. One of Shamrocks Subs: Eoin Reid for Walsh h-t, Kevin outstanding Mullen for Butler 33 mins. performers on the Referee- James Owens (Wexford) day, Evan She in, again proved accurate from distance when he splits the posts to push the holders two ahead in the 2nd minute of the three additional minutes signaled. e Ballyhale supporters were jubilant, and preparing to celebrate an historic victory, in this their club’s 50th anniversary. e score board read 1-17 to 1-19 in favour of Shamrocks Ballyhale.
Ballyhale bainisteoir bemoans nal seconds
Speaking to the assembled media after seeing his side come up just short against his old side, the Shamrocks bainisteoir was clearly shell-shocked and nding the result hard to believe.
“I told the players during the week that over the last two years I can de nitely say that I have felt like a Shamrocks man,” O’Connor said with the emotion etched on his face. “ ey mean a lot to me, to be honest with you…
>> SHERRY SAYS...
Where to start. Firstly, let me say that I am not a Kilkenny native. I’m from the North of Ireland.
When Harry Ruddle’s speculative shot left his hurl and found its way to the Ballyhale net, my heart sank. I felt a huge sense of loss, an overwhelming feeling of shock, and wasn’t even aware of the Ballygunner celebrations taking place on the Croke Park turf.
As bainisteoir James O’Connor said afterwards Ballygunner had “out-Balllyhaled, Ballyhale”.
Before I get to my thoughts on the game, the players, the protagonists, I need to get something o my chest, that might cause some controversy.
Kilkenny is a proud hurling county. While the big ball doesn’t feature much in the minds of the hurling mad Gaels on Norseside, I’m sure many would remember Tyrone’s Sean Cavanagh’s last ditch cynical tackle on Monaghan’s Conor McManus in the All-Ireland QuarterFinal tie at Croke Park. is tackle e ectively was the reason the ‘black card’ was introduced in Gaelic Football.
My ‘Ulster’ cynicism came out in buckets as that nal roll of the dice from the Waterford and Munster champions developed. Should Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen have sandwiched Ian Kenny? Should Patrick Mullen have wrapped up Paddy Leavey? Should Darragh Corcoran have tripped or dragged down goal-scorer to be Harry Ruddle?
In hurling, the answer is undoubtedly no. e game is played in a certain spirit. is spirit, coupled with the heart-breaking nish that Ballyhale su ered last Saturday, and the wild exuberant scenes of celebrations that followed for the Ballygunner contingent, is why hurling is regarded by many as one of the greatest games in the world, if not the greatest.
Ok. Back to the match. is nal lived up to its billing. e two best teams in club hurling on the Island of Ireland. Supporters making much noise on the seats of Croker. A game that swung many ways, and kept you glued till the end.
We’ll start with Ballygunner. e Darragh O’Sullivan managed side became the rst Desie side to claim an All-Ireland club title. Comhghairdeas Ballygunner. eir domination within their county has now paid o as they claim the ultimate prize in club hurling.
Naturally, substitute Harry Ruddle will grab the headlines for his late, late, late heroics, 63.09 on the clock when the sliotar hit the net. For me, Ballygunner had two or three other outstanding performers in Croke Park. Dessie Hutchinson. is fella is a huge talent. His return from soccer across the water, instrumental in his club’s climb to reach the summit. Dessie scored 1-3 and was a complete pain in the proverbial to the Shamrocks’ defence, particularly to Darren Mullen who was yellow carded in the 21st minute as he attempted to halt one of Hutchinson’s many menacing runs towards Dean Mason’s goal.
Next up for the new All-Ireland champions, full-back, Barry Coughlan. e big man was immense at the back, especially in the 2nd half. Alongside Coughlan in the last line of defence, Ian Kenny. the No.2’s marking job on Eoin Cody was seriously impressive. Had you have told me before the game that the twice crowned Young Hurler of the Year would only register 0-1 in the nal, I wouldn’t have believed you. Eoin tried to in uence matters on numerous occasions, but Kenny was like a ‘second skin’ and Eoin was struggling to shed this nuisance.
Shamrocks Ballyhale. I like many I’d say, woke last Saturday morning thinking that two things would happen later that day – Ballyhale would claim their 9th Tommy Moore Cup and third on the trot, and that my club’s big rival in Down, Kilcoo would win their rst Andy Merrigan Cup. By 7pm Saturday night, if you had told me only 1 of those things would happen, I would have gone with Ballyhale.
While Ballygunner’s short passing game and hunger was causing problems for Shamrocks in the rst half, I felt James O’Connor’s side’s more economical scoring return would see them home and dry. TJ Reid was his usual self, unerringly accurate from the placed ball, while his points from play were exquisite. His brothers also had great performances. Rio, a great nish for his sides major, while Richie’s reading of the game was on-point. Evan She in to me, was Shamrocks stand-out performer. Evan defended well and his ability to break up attacks and drive forward, or deliver quality balls into the attack are crucial to the way his side like to play.
Alas, the historic day that we thought lay ahead, wasn’t to be. A huge thanks to James O’Connor and this Shamrocks bunch for their phenomenal e orts over the last 12 months. No doubt, many of you will grace Croker again with the club, and hopefully in the black and amber before the summer’s done.
Comhghairdeas Ballygunner. Enjoy this amazing achievement.
Gunners team celebrate
Captains Philip Mahony & Barry Coughlan li the cup
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“ e last two years have been very special for me. I’ve made some great friends up there and Kilkenny people, in general, have been great during the two years I’ve been there. It’s has been an unbelievable experience for me. It’s something I won’t forget for a long, long time. Hopefully, I will be a better manager and coach because of it.”
e Lismore club man felt his team had been the better side for the most part before substitute Harry Ruddle’s winning goal. “Look, we’ve been at the right side of these for the last two years but still when you’re in the 63rd minute and it’s the last play out there, you just think that it’s going to go your way again and when that ball cut inside and beat Dean, I was just heartbroken.”
When he got it and turned, he struck it, look, it could have gone an inch outside the post as inside. It gave Dean no chance inside in the goal. Look, I suppose we’ve been doing that during the year. I was delighted that the two best teams in the country were there today. I thought it was a fantastic game, even on the sideline. I’ll go home and watch it tonight, I’m sure I’ll be crying looking at it.
“ at’s championship hurling. at’s All-Ireland nal day. You get one crack at it, great when they go over. Devastating when they don’t. Look overall I’m very proud of the lads the way they played. ey gave it everything. We said today we’d leave everything outside on the eld and I think we did.”
As a Deise native, as well as a good friend of his opposite number Darragh O’Sullivan, he hopes the victory can propel the county. “I was
Harry Ruddle hugs his manager Darragh O’Sullivan
inside with the Ballygunner fellas there and look I’ve been on the wrong side of results with them for a long time. ey’re the benchmark of Waterford hurling. At the end of the day, I’m a Waterford man. I’m delighted for Darragh, he’s a good friend of mine going back over 20 years now. I’m sure they’ll be celebrating in Waterford tonight.
“When you get your club team up there winning club All-Irelands, it really drives on the county. I think this will be a big plus for Waterford.” Sure, look what it has been doing for Kilkenny over the last, 10, 15 years, 20 years. I think this will be a big plus for Waterford. Just to get out there to win an All-Ireland is something we’ve been struggling with for a long, long time. If you can do it at club level, there’s no reason why you can’t do it at intercounty level.”
Above: Phillip Mahony & Darragh O’Sullivan celebrate
Right: Captain’s Coughlan & Fennelly a er the whistle
Shamrocks Ratings
Sherry Says MOTM - Evan She lin
1. Dean Mason – solid game, beaten by Ruddle’s late strike - 7 17. Brian Butler – was going well until forced off injured, great block to prevent goal – 7 3. Joey Holden – appeared to struggle especially in 1st half. Change of boots helped - 6 2. Darren Mullen – given toughest job of marking Dessie Hutchinson - 6 5. Evan Shefflin – outstanding throughout, energetic display, great scores as well – 9 6. Richie Reid – reading of the game excellent. Swept up lots of loose ball, lovely point - 8 7. Darragh Corcoran – battled throughout – got his customary point - 7 23. Conor Walsh – struggled to impact the game, big stage nerve possibly - 6 9. Patrick Mullen – gave his all, battled hard and took a lovely point - 7 10. Adrian Mullen – industrious all over the pitch, not afforded space & time, couple of good points - 7 11. TJ Reid – accurate as always, lovely points from play too, didn’t deserve the end result - 8 21. Joseph Cuddihy – Like Adrian and Eoin, was finding it hard to ply his normal trade, one nice point - 7 12. Brian Cody – dogged as ever, ref was keen to blow him up for fouls. Scored a lovely point - 7 14. Colin Fennelly – captain battled hard, took a nice point, nearly had a goal - 7 15. Eoin Cody – scored 0-1, tried hard to make things happen, but was well marshaled by Ian Kenny - 6 Kevin Mullen for Brian Butler (33) - had his hands full with the Mahony clan - 7 Eoin Reid for Conor Walsh (HT) - great follow up play to goal, set up TJ for nice point - 8
Ballyhale seek new bainisteoir
Ballyhale Shamrocks are expected to be on the look-out of a new manager after James O’Connor reportedly decided to step away after two seasons in charge. Sources close to the Waterford native, say he told the players in the changing rooms, after their last gasp All-Ireland final defeat to Ballygunner in Croke Park.
The Lismore club man took the reins from Henry Shefflin, after Ballyhale collected back-to-back AllIrelands in 2020.
O’Connor steered the illustrious Kilkenny club to successive county titles and a Leinster championship win over Clare’s Clough/Ballacolla, with hopes of a ninth All-Ireland dashed in dramatic circumstances by the Gunners last Saturday. It was a second All-Ireland final heartbreak for O’Connor, who was bainisteoir of Fr O’Neill’s from Cork when they lost out by a point to Padraig Walsh’s Tullaroan in Croker, two years ago in the intermediate final following an enthralling contest. Many names will no doubt find their way into the hat for this much sought-after position in club hurling.
Adh Mor to James O’Connor, in whatever lies ahead for the affable Lismore man.
BY NIALL
SHERRY
SPORTS
EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
TIPPERARy edged their great rivals Kilkenny by 1 point, following an exciting encounter in Semple Stadium last Sunday. Jason Forde’s tenth score of the day, a free deep into stoppage time, proved the di erence between two sides clearly ghting to nd their identity and nd a way to compete at the ‘Limerick level’.
On this showing, both sides still have plenty to work on and improve on, if they are to mount a credible championship challenge as the year goes on. e rst half especially did little to stir the large crowd in attendance, as sloppy play, coupled with poor shooting ensured that there was no championship feel to this game between these erce opponents.
Playing with a very strong wind in the 1st half, e Premier County registered the rst score in the sixth minute, Jason Forde slotting over a free. e same player notched the next two points, one from another placed ball, the second a mighty ne score over the shoulder from play on 10 minutes.
Brian Cody’s men opened their account at the fourth time of asking through omastown’s John Donnelly 12th minute point. Tipp’s net minder, Brian Hogan then struck over a longrange free, highlighting the serious wind advantage that his side had. e home crowd warmed their hands in appreciation of the strike by the Lorrha Dorrha club man. Bennettsbridge defender, David Blanch eld then found some space and took the opportunity to re over a lovely point on 16 minutes.
Tullaroan’s Padraig Walsh, who has been deployed on the opposition’s ‘40 in the league campaign to date, then ri ed over the best score to date, as the Kilkenny travelling faithful found their voices. e next two scores came from the home side, as Jake Morris and Barry He ernan added to Colm Bonnar’s side’s tally. en on 21 minutes, Young Ireland’s Mikey Carey charged forward and split the posts with a quality e ort, to reduce the host’s lead to two points, 0-6 to 0-4. e home side then hit four unanswered points, with thanks to Ger Browne, Michael Breen, urles Sars elds Denis Maher and that man Jason Forde, who struck another hefty score from his own half as Tipp seemed to be nding some sort of rhythm, to lead 0-10 to 0-4 after 30 minutes. is scoring burst from Tipp seemed to awaken the cats, as they went on to score the next four on the bounce, with Conahy Shamrocks Tom Phelan getting the rst of the three, and his sides rst score in some 9 minutes. John Donnelly then pointed from a placed ball, before action man Padraig Walsh emerged from a ruck, before bursting clear and slotting over a con dence boosting score at the Killinan End of Semple Stadium. en on 36 minutes, John Donnelly popped over a free to leave his side just two behind.
Eire Og’s Barry He ernan then hit his second ne point of the day, as it looked like the home side would take a 3-point lead into the interval. Deep into rst half stoppage time, Glenmore netminder, Eoin Murphy’s short puckout went straight to Denis Maher, who reacted sharply to lay the ball o to the on-running Jake Morris, who made straight for goal. e Nenagh Éire Óg attacker produced a lovely skillful, one-handed nish to beat the disappointed Kilkenny No.1, and leave the score at the short whistle, Tipp 1-11 Kilkenny 0-8.
When play resumed in the second period, Cody’s charges had that signi cant wind advantage with them. ey needed to get the score board ticking over, and the rst score of the
Sport Tipp topple
Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B Tipperary 1-19 Kilkenny 1-18 Semple Stadium, Thurles, Cats in
Sunday February 13th 2022
Thurles thriller
Injury time free gives home side the points Billy Ryan show skill and poise Padraig Walsh emerged from a ruck, looked like the home side would take skillful, one-handed nish to beat the second half came from the Cats’ free taker, John Donnelly on 38 minutes. e ever-reliable Jason Forde then replied for the Premier County with a placed ball of his own. Cian Kenny, who was operating in the engine room, then struck over a lovely score from distance, before e Sash’s Padraig Walsh notched
Tadhg O’Dwyer fires home his goal!
Mossy Keoghan applies the pressure
his 3rd point of the day. Not to be outdone by his club mate Kenny, e Village’s Niall Brassil then pointed with 45 minutes on the clock, as the visiting Gaels made their presence felt in urles, as there was just one score between these arch rivals. O’Loughlin’s Paddy Deegan then hit a ne point as the Cats ate away at the Tipp lead. ere was a de nite lifting of the tempo by Cody’s Cats in the second period, and they were making use of the elements also.
Tullaroan’s Mossy Keoghan then got in on the scoring act, as he pointed to leave his side trailing by the minimum. e Tipp crowd were shifting a little more uncomfortably in their seats as they feared the worst. Kilkenny then registered their sixth score without reply, as John Donnelly silenced the home support. e score board now read, 1-12 to 0-15. e Cats had wiped out their opponent’s half-time lead by the 49th minute. e home side needed to shake themselves and Goal scorer Jake Morris then got Tipp’s rst score in some 10 minutes, as manager Bonnar sent on their vastly experienced captain Ronan Maher, who pointed within three minutes of taking to the pitch. Jason Forde then hit 3 points in a row, as the host’s looked to be back in control, as the weather also appeared to be turning in their favour. Tipp had now hit ve without reply.
Kilkenny then went on the attack in search of a revitalising score. A long ball from the Cats defence caused a little panic in the Tipp defence. e Ball was taken in by Billy Ryan, who cut in from the right and despite being fouled by his marker, he managed to give a superb hand pass to James Stephens club man Tadgh O’Dwyer, who took the sliotar and ri ed the shot under Tipp keeper Hogan. Was another come back now on the cards as the Cats only trailed by 2 points with 62 minutes on the clock.
Padraig Walsh then increased his personal tally to 4 points, before Tipp’s top scorer, Forde hit his fourth point from play to the raucous cheers of the home crowd. Tullogher-Rosbercon’s Walter Walsh then hit 2 scores back-to-back in the 65th & 69th minute to level the game, as it appeared that the spoils would indeed be shared in urles. However, Jason Forde had other ideas. His tenth score of the day, this time from a free, edged Tipp ahead deep into stoppage time. Time was not to be Kilkenny’s friend, as Galway whistler Liam Gordon brought play to a close, on a score line of Tipp 1-19, Kilkenny 1-18, as the home supporters celebrated the win with shouts of “Tipp, Tipp, Tipp”
Tipperary Scorers: Jason Forde 0-10 (0-5f), Jake Morris 1-2, Barry He ernan 0-2, Brian Hogan (0-1f), Michael Breen, Ger Browne, Denis Maher, Ronan Maher 0-1 each. Kilkenny Scorers: John Donnelly 0-5 (0-5f), Padraig Walsh 0-4, Tadhg O’Dwyer 1-0, Walter Walsh 0-2, Martin Keoghan, David Blanch eld, Mikey Carey, Niall Brassil, Cian Kenny, Paddy Deegan, Tom Phelan 0-1 each.
TEAMS:
TIPPERARY – Brian Hogan, C Barrett, J Quigley, C Morgan, D Quirke, S Kennedy, B He ernan, A Flynn, M Breen, D McCormack, J Forde, G Browne, M Kehoe, D Maher, J Morris. Subs: P Cadell for Breen (45 mins), R Maher for Browne (51 mins), S Callanan for D Maher (56 mins), P Flynn for Kehoe (67 mins), C Stakelum for McCormack (70 mins). KILKENNY – E Murphy, M Butler, H Lawlor, E Cody, M Carey, N Brassil, D Blanch eld, C Kenny, P Deegan, R Leahy, P Walsh, T Phelan, B Ryan, M Keoghan, J Donnelly. Subs: T Walsh for Cody (3 mins), W Walsh for Phelan (46 mins), T O’Dwyer for Leahy (57 mins), J Walsh for Donnelly (58 mins). REF – Liam Gordon (Galway)
Get back here! minutes, as manager Bonnar sent on their vastly experienced captain Ronan Maher, who play to a close, on a score line of Tipp 1-19, Kilkenny 1-18, as the home supporters
