Ballyhale Shamrocks 2-17 Gort 1-15
Ballyhale Shamrocks have lined up yet another St Patrick's Day parade after booking their place in the All-Ireland club hurling final. It also means at least one more march to Croke Park for Henry Shefflin.
Shefflin may have turned 36 last month but he was typically prominent for the Kilkenny champions, who had just a little much class – if not confidence – for Gort. Shefflin struck five points from play, as majestic as ever, and so after a man-of-the-match performance the burning question of whether or not he’ll press on in his quest to win an 11th All-Ireland title with Kilkenny is postponed until at least March 17th.
For Galway champions Gort – looking to make a first club final since 1984 (when they lost Ballyhale) – the lack of experience possibly worked against them, particularly as they struggled to settle into the rhythm of their game.
Ballyhale came looking for that first club final place since 2010, and now comes the chance to extend their record number of All-Ireland titles to seven. They’ll face Limerick champions Kilmallock next month, and in this sort of form few people would bet against them.
They did have to work hard through this one, however, as typical of these club hurling semi-finals, both teams started out at a hammering pace: Gort opened the first gap with a goal after four minutes, Paul Killilea's initial shot sent in on the rebound by Richard Cummins.
Ballyhale weren't long striking back, and after a couple of goal threats from Colin Fennelly, TJ Reid landed their first one – 11 minutes – neatly finishing after a sweet move started by James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick.
By then Shefflin and Patrick Reid had also pointed from play, and the Kilkenny champions pressed further ahead on 14 minutes, when Eoin Reid scored their second goal from very close range, despite some protests from the Gort defence.
Truth is the Gort defence was slack, with Bob Aylward finding himself in acres of space around midfield – helping himself to three points from play in the first half. Shefflin also added a second before the break, as Gort struggled to make inroads into scoring positions.
Still they got three back before the break – including two frees from Gerard Quinn – to leave it 2-9 to 1-8 at the break, the momentum still seemingly with Ballyhale.
Defensively too Ballyhale took an increasing hold – anchored by full-back and newly appointed Kilkenny captain Joey Holden, with Michael Fennelly positioned immediately in front of him.
Gort did open the second half with two quick points in succession, before Ballyhale tightened their grip again, thanks to Colin Fennelly, and two from Conor Walsh, plus three more for Shefflin.
That effectively ended it as a contest, and although Gort never gave up the chase, there was simply no stopping the force of Ballyhale, particularly with Shefflin still at the fore of it.
Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny): R Reid; K Nolan, J Holden, A Cuddihy; P Shefflin (0-1), M Fennelly, A Cummins; B Aylward (0-3), C Walsh (0-3); J Fitzpatrick, H Shefflin (0-5), TJ Reid (1-2, one free); P Reid )-2), C Fennelly (0-1). E Reid (1-0).
Subs: R Corcoran for Cummins (37 mins), B Cody for E Reid (56mins), M Dermody for P Shefflin (56 mins), G Butler for Fitzpatrick (58 mins)
Gort (Galway): G Lally; M McMahon, T Linnane, M Cummins; A Harte, G Lally (0-2, one 65), S Og Linane; S Forde, J Grealish (0-1); A Mullins, G Quinn (0-2, both frees), P Killilea (0-1); R Cummins (1-3), M Mullins (0-2, one free), G O'Donoghue (0-2).
Subs: J Grealish for Killilea (42 mins), W Walsh (0-2) for Grealish (43 mins), C Helebert for Quinn (50 mins), N Forde for Forde (55 mins), K Higgins for O'Donoghue (58 mins)
Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)
