Kilkenny SHC- Shamrocks survive stiff challenge with Danesfort

A goal in each half from TJ Reid helped county champions Shamrocks overcome a stubborn Danesfort in a wet and windy John Locke Park on Saturday evening.

Shamrocks were far from their fluent best but their experience told as they fought off the threat of relegation.

The Kilkenny kingpins welcomed back Colin Fennelly for his first appearance of the season after spending the last few months in Dubai and the 34-year-old proved to be a valuable asset for the Ballyhale boys.

Despite the eight point winning margin, big underdogs Danesfort certainly gave the champions a fright and a missed penalty from Richie Hogan in the second half which was well saved by Dean Mason proved to be something of a turning point.

A goal at that stage of the game would have left just a point between the sides bus Mason’s stop rather stalled the Danesfort momentum and the winners managed to finish the game in style.

Despite playing against a stiff enough breeze, Danesfort started the better and got the opening two points from Richie Hogan and Robbie Walsh.

Shamrocks replied with a TJ Reid free before Eoin Cody had a goalbound effort well saved by Paddy Hogan albeit an easy point looked to be on for the Kilkenny captain.

Reid and Niall Shortall for Shamrocks and Hogan, Paddy Hickey and Colm Phelan for Danesfort then swapped efforts as the newly promoted ’Fort led 0-5 to 0-3 halfway through the half.

Three points on the bounce helped Shamrocks turn the tide with Colin Fennelly, Eoin Cody and Evan Shefflin all on target.

Pat Hoban’s men were threatening a goal at this point and after Eoin Cody was denied for a second time, the net did eventually bulge when TJ Reid blasted home in first half stoppage time.

Despite the goal, Danesfort were still very much in touch come the break with goalkeeper Paddy Hogan knocking over a pair of frees from distance and as a result only three points separated the teams at the interval.

Quickfire scores from Adrian Mullen and TJ Reid quickly extended the Shamrocks advantage to five but Danesfort remained in the fight with frees from brothers Paddy and Richie Hogan.

Stephen Barron came in as a first half sub for Shamrocks and his 38th minute score left his side ahead on a 1-11 to 0-10 scoreline but they still weren’t really motoring.

Their championship hopes then got a bit more risky when Danesfort won a penalty but Dean Mason produced a great save to deny the recently inter-county retired Richie Hogan.

That penalty miss only served to spring the Shamrocks into business and with Colin Fennelly and TJ Reid switching roles, the South Kilkenny side dominated the final quarter.

Reid’s 48th minute goal effectively ended the game as a contest before Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody then added to their tallies late on.

Job done as a whole for Shamrocks but league winners Dicksboro won’t be shirking the quarter-final challenge on the basis of this performance.

Danesfort now go into the relegation final with ’Comer.

Teams and Scorers

Shamrocks: TJ Reid (2-5, 0-5 frees), Adrian Mullen (0-3), Niall Shortall, Eoin Cody, Stephen Barron (0-2 each), Colin Fennelly, Evan Shefflin (0-1 each)

Danesfort: Richie Hogan (0-7, 0-5 frees and 0-1 ‘65), Paddy Hogan (0-3, 0-3 frees), Paddy Hickey, Colm Phelan, Robbie Walsh, Cathal Kearney (0-1 each)

Shamrocks: Dean Mason; Brian Butler, Dara Mason, Liam Barron; Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Paddy Mullen, Conor Walsh; Adrian Mullen, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody; Eoin Kenneally, Colin Fennelly, Niall Shortall.

Subs: Stephen Barron for Butler 10 mins, Mark Gorman for Fennelly 58 mins.

Danesfort: Paddy Hogan; Adam Byrne, Des Dunne, Ronan Leahy; Dan Dowling, Paul Murphy, Cathal O’Neill; Daire O’Neill, Phillip Cooney; Richie Hogan, Paddy Hickey, Colm Phelan; Robbie Walsh, Brian McDonald, Eanna O’Casaide.

Subs: Cathal Kearney for Dowling h/t, Anthony Ireland Wall for Walsh 45 mins, Ciaran Mullen for McDonald 50 mins.

Referee- Maurice Flynn (Mooncoin)