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Sport
BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
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AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Semi-Final Shamrocks Ballyhale 2-15 St Thomas’ (Galway) 0-20
Semple Stadium, Thurles, Sunday 23rd January 2022 WE’LL come back to the start later. Extra time loomed. e sides were deadlocked. We were now in 3 minutes of additional time. e Clare referee awarded yet another free to the Connacht champions. Conor Cooney slotted it over, as he had done for most of the preceding 60 minutes. One minute later, another free. is time Cooney ri ed it over from his own half. St omas’ now 2 points up going into the last minute of the signaled three.
Ballyhale launched the ball into the danger zone. Adrian Mullen tried to gain possession; the ball broke to TJ who was wrestled to the ground by the opposition full-back, Fintan Burke. 62.47 on the clock. TJ picked himself up and went into his ‘free-taking mode’. e referee indicated that there were about 30 seconds remaining to the Kilkenny legend. Roughly 22 metres out, on the angle to the right of the St omas’ goal, TJ struck a erce shot that rocketed to the back of the net past a plethora of bodies.
Game over. Shamrocks Ballyhale through to the AIB AllIreland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final.
Let’s rewind about 60-odd minutes.
Shamrocks took to the Semple stadium turf minus star mid elder Ronan Corcoran, missing out through injury. It was a mid eld pairing of Paddy Mullen and Conor Phelan that lined up in the engine room for James O’Connor’s side as they began their quest to reach a third club nal in a row. Ballyhale also welcomed back Joe Cuddihy following his recent suspension.
From the throw-in, Shamrocks attacked. Richie Reid pumped a long searching ball into the opposition full-back line where Eoin Cody took possession and headed for goal, before his e ort was smothered away by a scrambling St omas’ defence. From the puck-out, the ball made its way to young wing forward Eanna Burke who red over a nice point from out on the right for the games rst score. e same player doubled his account on 4 minutes, when he took a nice pass before popping over the ball over the bar. Following a sloppy restart, Brendan Farrell took full advantage and split the posts to give his side a 3-point lead. St omas’ were playing with great hunger and desire as they hunted down their more illustrious opponents with steely determination. e dangerous Eanna Burke then won a free which Conor Cooney popped over with ease to extend the Galway sides lead.
It would be the eighth minute before the Leinster champions opened their account, courtesy of a point from TJ Reid after a nice catch and turn. e Connacht champions responded immediately when Paddy Mullen was adjudged to have fouled his man. Cooney slotted the placed ball to restore his teams 4-point lead. is appeared to stir Shamrocks into action, as the Kilkenny side hit four on the bounce.
First up was Eoin Cody. e Young Hurler of the Year, two years running, picked up the ball out on the left wing and swung over a lovely point. Moments later, the same player took a sideline cut and found TJ with an excellent delivery. TJ laid his pass o to the on-running Joe Cuddihy who red over an excellent point. From the next passage of play, TJ again picked out Cuddihy on the right and the No. 21 duly obliged by slotting his e ort over the bar. Seconds later, Eoin Cody emerged from a scrimmage and showed unbelievable skill and poise before registering the equalising score and undoubtably the best point of the game to date with 13 minutes gone.
Kenneth Burke’s side hit back with a well worked score from
Joey’s Ball - Joey Holden takes possession
Colin Fennelly grits his teeth
The Late Late Show!
TJ strikes at the death to send Shamrocks to Croker
Darragh Corcoran under pressure All pix: Danny Lahart
Richie Reid challenges Conor Cooney
Sport
Shamrocks pre match
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mid elder Bernard Burke. From the puck-out, Shamrock’s net minder Dean Mason picked out TJ Reid. e roving attacker then found last season’s County captain Adrian Mullen, who struck a nice point on 15 minutes. e next attack from the westerners didn’t end in a score. Again, Mason’s restart was excellent. He saw Eoin Cody signal and break to his right and managed to pick him out with ease. e impressive attacking star took possession and red over from distance for the last score before the rst water break. Shamrocks led by the minimum, 7 points to 6.
When play resumed, Conor Cooney registered another score from the placed ball, when again, referee Rory McGann gave another decision in favour of the underdogs. It did appear that those marginal calls were going the way of the St omas’ side. e Connacht side reclaimed the lead soon after, when Eanna Burke hit a magni cent point to rival that of Eoin Cody’s minutes earlier. Moments later, the most prominent of the Burke’s had a glorious chance to raise the green ag, but saw his improvised e ort expertly saved by Mason. Another ‘soft’ free allowed Conor Cooney to slot another free from about 45 metres out. Mid elder Bernard Burke then got his second point of the day with a long-range e ort from halfway. at capped somewhat of a purple patch for the N66 based side, as they had reeled –o their own 4 scores in a row to lead 0-10 to 0-7. e All-Ireland champions then replied with three scores. e hugely impressive Eoin Cody then cut in from the right touchline before striking over a ne point. Not to be outdone by his young apprentice, TJ then pointed from the right-hand side. From the puck-out, Eoin Cody won back possession before nding his captain at the edge of the ’D’. Fennelly made no mistake and swung over the point, to make it ten apiece. e next passage of play say Eoin Cody lose his hurl, but true to his nature, he battled on to try and disrupt his opponent, before being blown up for a foul.
Conor Cooney pointed the placed ball as his side regained the lead on 26 minutes. e St omas’ full-back, Fintan Burke who was having a good game on Fennelly then got out in front of his man, before arrowing a pass into Eanna Burke, who collected the ball before splitting the posts with for a ne score. Cooney then showed his skill from the sideline cut, when he pointed to leave his team up by 3. A nice ball into Fennelly looked like it might cause problems, but the veteran forward was fouled. TJ popped over the placed ball, to reduce the gap to two points. Conor Phelan who had struggled to make an impact on the game was replaced in injury time at the end of the rst half by Eoin Kenneally. Dean Mason then made another ne save as referee McGann blew for the interval with St omas’ leading 0-13 to 0-11. e Connacht champions were good value for their 2-point lead. ey were rst to most balls, disciplined in the tackle, and were keeping the score board ticking over, thanks largely to placed balls from Conor Cooney and the main threat from play, Eanna Burke, who had notched 4 points in the rst. Period. Ballyhale, despite Eoin Cody’s brilliance, had been on the periphery of the game, and de nitely weren’t the referee’s friends. e second half was just about one minute old when the Galway side opened the scoring. Eanna Burke turned provider and set up Darragh Burke for a good point. St omas’ were awarded what seemed like their millionth free shortly after, just outside the ‘D’. e deadly Cooney did the needful and his side now led by four. e referee also showed a yellow card to Brian Cody for his part in the play, leading to the foul.
TJ Reid was battling well, anytime the ball came near him. He managed to secure the sliotar and pop a nice pass to the supporting Cuddihy who struck over a lovely score from distance. Reid was then given the chance to further reduce the de cit, when he himself was fouled. St omas’ then strung together a nice move which ended with former county star James Regan tag on a lovely point. Brian Butler was sprung from the bench to replace the injured Kevin Mullen on 43 minutes. A couple of minutes later, Evan She in was harshly adjudged to have fouled Cooney, and received a yellow card for his troubles, despite it appearing like the wing-back had delivered a well-timed shoulder to his opponent. Following a touch of the magic sponge, Cooney recovered to re over the placed ball and leave his side 4 points clear at the second water break.
James O’Connor’s men really needed to stand up and show their pedigree in the nal quarter. e ball found its way to Adrian Mullen, who struck for a point, only to see his e ort well blocked by the on-rushing defender. Fortunately, the ball broke to Paddy Mullen, who took aim and red over a lovely score from out the pitch. Shortly after, Shamrocks almost fashioned a goal chance. Just when it looked like Adrian Mullen was about to swipe the ball home, e opposition
Richie Reid clears down field Darren Mullen & Eanna Burke exchange words
Bainisteoir James O’Connor looks on as Evan She lin challenges
Against all odds... Adrian Mullen on the charge defence somehow managed to hack the ball clear. Another soft free followed for the Galway side, and again Cooney took advantage. advantage.
Adrian Mullen who was becoming much more prominent in the game took the ball before being tackled high, which the in the game took the ball before being tackled high, which the referee spotted and TJ ri ed over the subsequent free. Darren Mullen was then replaced by Conor Walsh with what looked Mullen was then replaced by Conor Walsh with what looked like an arm injury on 53minutes. Darragh Corcoran then like an arm injury on 53minutes. Darragh Corcoran then went on a barn-storming run before passing to his captain, whose attempt to burst through on goal was crudely halted by John Headd. PENALTY!!
TJ calmy stepped forward and red his shot past the helpless keeper Kelly in the St omas goal. e sides were now level, 1-5 to 0-18, with just four minutes remaining. Eoin Reid then entered the fray, replacing earlier substitute, Eoin Kenneally. en followed just under 4 minutes of pure championship hurling excitement. Cooney struck his brace of free’s, the second, a monstrous e ort from his own half, before 5-time Liam McCarthy winner & 5-time all-star took aim and hit the bullseye deep into injury time. e long whistle sounded. Shamrocks Ballyhale 2-15, St omas’ 0-20. A third All-Ireland club nal on the bounce now awaits James O’Connor’s charges.
>> SHERRY SAYS...
It was like St Rynaghs all over again. Shamrocks Ballyhale were determined to go to the wire in this one.
Let’s be frank, should James O’Connor’s men play like this against Ballygunner in a couple of weeks, there may be no reprieve. is wasn’t their best 60-odd minutes of hurling this season, but with semi- nals, it’s all about getting over the line and making the showpiece in Croker.
To their credit, the Connacht champions will feel hard done by after this result. For large periods of the game in urles, they appeared the better side. Eanna Burke was outstanding in the rst half, hitting four lovely points. Conor Cooney was supremely accurate from the placed ball, and didn’t miss many.
In defence, Fintan Burke was immense, relishing his physical battle with Shamrocks captain, Colin Fennelly. St omas’ mid eld edged the engine room battle, the absence of Ronan Corcoran was a key factor here.
It appeared every time Ballyhale went into a tackle, the whistle sounded, and Cooney obliged. e main scoring threat for our Kilkenny champions was the trio of TJ, Joe Cuddihy and Eoin Cody. Restored to the starting XV following suspension, Cuddihy hit 3 lovely points, while Eoin Cody continues to sparkle on the big stage. One of his points was as good as you will see in any match.
Now to TJ Reid. e serial winner nished with 2-5 to his name. Both majors, hugely crucial to his sides semi- nal victory. TJ struck his penalty with supreme con dence, never in doubt. His second major, however, well that was fairytale stu . I found myself clenching my st in the air when it hit the net. I for one, didn’t want this Ballyhale journey to end in urles.
TJ & Co. Will need to recover mentally and physically from this bruising contest as they lock-in on Waterford’s and Munster’s nest, Ballygunner. e medical team and physios will be worked hard over the next couple of weeks as they look to give these Shamrocks the best possible chance of taking to the Croker turf in decent shape. e Ballyhale bus has one more stop to make. anks TJ.
Sport
BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
Walsh Cup Review Wexford 2-25 Kilkenny 2-25
Chadwick’s Wexford Park, Saturday January 22nd 2022
THE large crowd in attendance at Chadwick’s Wexford Park last Saturday, were treated to an exhilarating contest between two sides that love to put it up to each other. While honours were shared, Walsh Cup holders Wexford advanced to these years nal on scoring di erence, and will face-o against Mattie Kenny’s Dublin.
New Wexford manager, Darragh Eagan named a strong starting XV following their 12-point victory away to Laois in the competition opener. Tipp native Eagan, continues to build a strong backroom team to support him, and the talk around the terraces before the match with their beloved neighbours, was the appointment of former Ireland rugby union international Gordon D’Arcy. e Fern’s man will join former boxing coach Billy Walsh in assisting Eagan as they look to build a much more competitive Yellowbellies panel.
Eagan’s opposite number, Brian Cody decided to mix things up a little from last week’s win over Cheddar’s men in Callan. O’Loughlin Gaels duo Mikey Butler and Eoin O’Shea started, along with e Village’s Cian Kenny, who would be one of the star performers for the Noresiders on the day.
Conahy Shamrocks attacking star James Bergin registered the rst score of the day from the placed ball, before Wexford’s strong running game kicked in and began to cause problems for the visitors defence. Attacking from deep positions allowed win-backs Matthew O’Hanlon and Connal Flood to hit early points when the space opened up for them. Crossabeg-Ballymurn dangerman Oisin Flood then extended his sides lead when he slotted over a ne point from play, one of ve that would be registered by the Wexford No.10 who would prove to be a constant thorn in the side of the black and amber defence.
Further Model County scores from Foley and star-man Conor McDonald and a reply from Cian Kenny left the home side 0-5 to 0-2 up after the opening exchanges, as the more seasoned Wexford team showed their worth.
Kilkenny had St Lachtains netminder, Darren Brennan to thank shortly after, when he pulled o a tremendous save to thwart Rathnure’s Rory Higgins goal-bound e ort. James Bergin then added a brace of free’s to leave just one between the neighbours, but three quick- re Wexford scores from McDonald, cornerforward Cian Byrne and the marauding No.5 Connal Flood saw Darragh Eagan’s team race into a 4-point lead with just under 12 minutes on the clock.
Naomh Eanna’s McDonald and Rory Higgins tagged on another two points for the hosts, before Brian Cody’s team upped the ante a little, in advance of the rst water break. Scores from Eoin O’Shea, our own No.5, James Maher, omastown’s John Donnelly and two
No quarter given as neighbours give it all ahead of National League
Honours even as Wexford advance
GOAL GUY - Chris Bolger was lively and scored his sides 1st goal
All pix: Danny Lahart
Mr Cody makes his point
Brian Cody - pleased with his sides comeback
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Padraig Walsh hit a long range score
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others from Mossy Keoghan and Chris Bolger mean that the cats only trailed by one at an briseadh uisce, 0-10 to 0-9. e Yellowbellies then hit a little bit of a purple patch in the second quarter, as they raised their intensity to over-power the opposition. ey registered 1-4 without reply as Kilkenny struggled to contain the growing threat posed by the home side.
Dublin Whistler, omas Gleeson awarded the hosts a penalty after some interference on Rory Higgins’s hurl. Wexford keeper Mark Fanning stepped up and red his penalty beyond his opposite number in the cats goal. McDonald, Flood and Foley all notched points to put the home side rmly in control ahead of the short whistle. James Bergin and Cian Kenny kept the score board ticking over for the visitors, and the nal action of the half saw Shelmaliers Conor Hearne pointed from a di cult angle to leave Wexford 1-16 to 0-12 ahead at the interval.
While Cody’s charges performed at a better level during the second period, it was Cian Byrne that struck the rst point after the break, from a placed ball. James Bergin did likewise for the away side, before a key moment in the game arrived. To all in attendance, it appeared that the impressive Chris Bolger’s shot was destined for the Wexford net, but net minder Mark Fanning had other ideas, and somehow, he managed to deny the Clara attackers e ort.
Cian Byrne and James Bergin then swapped free’s before Bolger gained revenge and ri ed his low shot past Fanning into the net. e gap was down to 5 points. Could the scene be set for another Kilkenny revival against a post Davy Fitz Wexford? Kilkenny manager Cody then replaced James Bergin with the more seasoned Walter Walsh. is substitution signaled a change in free-taking duties, with Cian Kenny taking on the responsibility. Indeed, the Village clubman pointed his rst two place ball opportunities, sandwiched between one from Wexford sub, Paul Morris. e Kilkenny comeback was shunted back a little shunted back a little when Cathal Dunbar when Cathal Dunbar struck a erce shot that nestled in the top corner of Darren top corner of Darren Brennan’s net. Wexford had restored Wexford had restored their 7-point lead by the second of the day’s water breaks.
To their credit, Kilkenny put a serious shift in
Eoin Murphy was back in the panel
David Blanchfield in action
Colm Prenderville made a great impact from the bench
during the nal quarter. eir more experienced ‘heads’ began to chip away at the home sides lead. Scores from Walter, Mossy, subs Davind Blanch eld and Colm Prenderville along with a lovely long-range one from Padraig Walsh, left the home crowd a little less raucous as they feared the comeback! Cian Kenny hit a couple of frees to leave his side just 3 points in arrears by the 65th minute. e home supporter’s worst fears were realised moments later, when following lovely play from Messrs. Padraig and Walter Walsh, Graigue/Ballycallan’s Colm Prenderville somehow managed to breach the Wexford goal line. e game was now all square!
Kenny and Prenderville then pointed to put the Noresiders two up, but Darragh Eagans side responded with scores from Flood and Morris to tie matters up as the teams entered additional time. James Stephen’s Cian Kenny then slotted over a free, much to the delight of the travelling Gaels, but there was to be one more score registered, and that came when Conor McDonald struck a lovely point to halt the Kilkenny faithful’s celebrations. We were all sqaure again. Tullaroan’s Mossy Keoghan almost snatched it in the dying seconds, but he saw his e ort hit the woodwork. Level pegging it was to nish, 2-25 apiece.
Wexford: M Fanning (1-0 pen); S Donohoe, L Ryan, C Devitt; C Flood (0-4), P Foley, M O’Hanlon (0-1); K Foley, J O’Connor; O Foley (05), C McGuckin (0-1), C Hearne (0-1); C Byrne (03, 2f), C McDonald (0-6), R Higgins (0-1). Subs: M Dwyer for Hearne (ht), H Kehoe (0-1) for Byrne (46), P Morris (0-2, 1f) for Higgins (46), C Dunbar (1-0) for O’Connor (50), D Dunne for O Foley (55), A Doyle for McGuckin (61), B Edwards for P Foley (67). Kilkenny: D Brennan; C Wallace, T Walsh, M Butler; J Maher, H Lawlor, C Buckley; C Kenny (0-4 frees), M Carey; P Walsh, E O’Shea (0-3), J Donnelly (0-4); J Bergin (0-7 frees), M Keoghan (0-3), C Bolger (1-1). Subs: W Walsh (0-2) for Bergin (42), R Buckley (0-1), for Carey (47), D Blanch eld for C Buckley (53), C Prenderville (1-0) for O’Shea (55). Referee: T Gleeson (Dublin).
>> SHERRY SAYS...
For a pre-season game in January, this game certainly belied its billing. e way this match went, I was half expecting to see Gordon D’Arcy come on after the hour marker to try and see the Model County home!!! Brian Cody made multiple changes to his starting XV as he looks to assemble a panel to tackle this seasons Allianz League campaign. It was great to see Cian Kenny in the black & amber – he put in a shift and no doubt will have pleased his manager with his performance. Young James Bergin also did well from the placed ball. Mossy never lets anyone down and puts himself about with great e ect, and almost snatch victory for us at the end! Chris Bolger has been in a couple of lively performances, and took his goal well. e defence did struggle, especially in the 1st half, as Wexford’s potent and experienced attack caused our back six all sorts of problems. e management will have noted this, but will also know that there are many ‘regulars’ due to return in late February and early March. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Sport Coogan’s
BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE Crew
AIB All-Ireland club JHC Semi-Final Croker Mooncoin 2-26 THE famous ballad would no doubt have been reverberating around the River Suir following Mooncoin’s comprehensive 21-point semiSalthill-Knocknacarra 0-11 LIT Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, Sunday January 23rd 2022 Bound! nal victory over Salthill-Knocknacarra last weekend. Willie Coogan’s side maintained the county’s proud record in the junior grade, and will now have the opportunity to become the tenth Marble County side to hold the much- Cork’s coveted title if they defeat Ballygiblin of Cork in February’s nal. Coogan will be hoping that this year’s team can go one better than that of 2017, when Mooncoin lost out to May eld of Cork by the Ballygiblin bare minimum. Coming into the semi- nal, much talk surrounded the form of Salthill’s Donal O’Shea. Having recently made his senior inter-county Having recently made his senior inter-county lie in wait bow for Henry She in’s side, hopes were high bow for Henry She in’s side, hopes were high in the west, that O’Shea could propel his club in the west, that O’Shea could propel his club to All-Ireland glory this year. e rising star did top score for his side, but the more seasoned Mooncoin machine simply had too much in all departments for their Connacht counterparts. Yes, SalthillKnocknacarra were missing the captain, Michael O’Donnell who had picked up a knee Michael O’Donnell who had picked up a knee injury during the week, but it would have taken injury during the week, but it would have taken 10 O’Donnell’s to alter this result. e Galway champions did in fact open the e Galway champions did in fact open the scoring at the Gaelic Grounds through cornerscoring at the Gaelic Grounds through cornerforward O’Flaherty, but Mooncoin responded forward O’Flaherty, but Mooncoin responded in kind, with interest and reeled o the next ve scores with Ciaran Quilty the notching the ve scores with Ciaran Quilty the notching the rst score for Coogan’s crew. Pa Walsh from a rst score for Coogan’s crew. Pa Walsh from a free, nice points from play from Martin O’Neill, free, nice points from play from Martin O’Neill, Kevin Crowley & John Fitzpatrick left the Kilkenny side 4 points up, but they then shot a few wides before O’Shea and Shane Kelly replied for Diarmuid Ó hAodha’s side to keep replied for Diarmuid Ó hAodha’s side to keep them in touch, before Fitzgerald knocked over them in touch, before Fitzgerald knocked over his second point of the day. At the water break his second point of the day. At the water break the Marble County side led 0-6 to 0-3, but should have been much further ahead. e hydration stoppage allowed the Mooncoin manager to address the wides, and Mooncoin manager to address the wides, and his charges radar was more precise during the his charges radar was more precise during the 2nd quarter. Adam Croke got the next score as his side’s movement and strong running was causing many problems for Diarmuid Ó hAodha’s team. Donal O’Shea got one back for the westerners, before Pa Walsh red over for the westerners, before Pa Walsh red over a free and Martin O’Neill added one from distance. ings were about to get worse for SalthillKnocknacarra. An Adam Croke interception helped set-up the on-running Kevin Crowley, helped set-up the on-running Kevin Crowley, who expertly red beyond Brian Hyland in the opposition goal to raise the rst green ag of the day to push Mooncoin 8-points up. ag of the day to push Mooncoin 8-points up. Indeed, Croke almost had a major himself shortly afterwards, but his e ort was helped over the bar.
Mid elder Seanie Gannon was next to trouble the score board when he red over lie in wait John Fitzgerald scored 1-5 Sean Gannon on the scene Sean Gannon leads the charge
All pix: Danny Lahart
Cormac Daly won’t take it lying down a well taken point. Pa Walsh added a couple more, while there were also points for Killian Hogan and a stunning one from distance by James Delahunty, which brought the rst half proceedings to a close with Mooncoin leading on a score line of 1-15 to 0-6.
Salthill-Knocknacarra’s afternoon got even worse just 3 minutes into the second period, when John Fitzgerald took a lovely catch from Mairtin Gannon’s superb long pass, before striking the ball past the helpless Hyland in goals. e next few minutes became the ‘Pa Walsh show’ as the deadly No.14 ri ed over 4 points, including a nice one from play. e Connacht champions were caught between trying to engineer goals and taking points, and they did neither. e one green ag opportunity they mustered was brilliantly saved by Eoin Purcell in the Mooncoin goal. John Fitzgerald then added to his personal tally when he struck over another good point before the second water break. Diarmuid Ó hAodha’s side had failed to raise a ag of any colour during that 3rd quarter as the score board read Mooncoin 2-20, Salthill-Knocknacarra 0-6. e nal quarter saw Donal O’Shea hit 3 further consolation scores, as Willie Coogan made a raft of changes. Killian Hogan, the impressive Martin O’Neill (2), John Fitzgerald’s 5th and an injury-time James Aylward point completed the rout for the Noresiders as they systematically dismantled their opponents to reach the All-Ireland Junior hurling nal next month. Final score, Mooncoin 2-26, SalthillKnocknacarra 0-11.
Mooncoin Scorers: Pa Walsh (0-8, 0-6 frees), John Fitzgerald (1-5), Kevin Crowley (1-1), Martin O’Neill (0-4), Killian Hogan (0-3), Adam Croke (0-2), Jim Delahunty, James Aylward, Sean Gannon (0-1 each). Mooncoin: Eoin Purcell, Aidan Doyle, Cormac Daly, Mark Kearns, Martin O’Neill, Paul Henebery, Jim Delahunty, Máirtin Gannon, Sean Gannon, Kevin Crowley, John Fitzgerald, Ciarán Quilty, Adam Croke, Patrick Walsh, Killian Hogan. Subs: Sean O’Dwyer, for Henebery (45), L. Tracey, for Crowley (45), J. Aylward, for M. Gannon (47) mins, J. Delahunty for Walsh (53), C. Brophy, for Delahunty (53). Salthill-Knocknacarra Scorers: Donal O’Shea (0-6, 0-2 frees), Sean Burke, Daniel O’Flaherty, Shane Kelly, Canice Crosby, Neil Hyland (0-1 each). Salthill-Knocknacarra: Brian Hyland, John Cullinane Quinn, Rory McDonnell, Patrick Rowesome, Stephen Piggott, Gary Waldron, Brendan Moran, Seanie Joyce, Sean Burke, Shane Kelly, Brian Gri n, Donal O’Shea, Daniel O’Flaherty, Fergus Hanney, Canice Crosby. Subs: Keith Gleeson for Waldron (h-t), Ross Gorey for Gri n (37), E. Gavin for CullinaneQuinn (43), Neil Hyland for Hanney (43), Rian McNeill for McDonnell (54). Referee: Nathan Wall (Cork)
