Kilkenny SHC: Noel Doherty offers hope for the future despite quarter-final exit

Thomastown’s reign as county champions came to an end on Sunday as they were defeated by an on-fire Shamrocks in the St Canice's Credit Union SHC quarter-finals in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday afternoon.

Henry Shefflin's side ran out 1-22 to 0-16 winners and will now face Dicksboro in the semi-finals. - READ MORE HERE

For Thomastown it's the end of a remarkable two years which saw them win the clean sweep at the intermediate grade before capturing the senior title on their first attempt since returning after over three decades away.

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Team boss Noel Doherty was predictably 'gutted' at Thomastown's exit from the championship but vowed the Grennan team will come back and 'go again'.

"We were that little bit flat and not up to the pace today and I suppose the Shamrocks capitalised on that," Doherty told CRKC Sport after the match.

"When the Shamrocks are hurling like that they're very difficult to stop, great team. All credit to the Shamrocks they came prepared, they brought the fight to us and ended our season.

"The overriding feeling is just gutted, I'm gutted for the players. They've put in a hell of a campaign but I have no doubt there's great characters in that dressing room and when the dust settles they'll dust themselves down and go again," he continued.

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