Kilkenny SHC- Five star Shamrocks much too strong for the ‘Village

Shamrocks emphatically kept hopes of winning a sixth Kilkenny senior hurling title on the trot alive when easing to a 20 point semi-final success over James Stephens at UPMC Nowlan Park.

After defeating league winners Dicksboro two weeks ago, the Shamrocks have certainly regained their form and the result was never in doubt as TJ Reid, Colin Fennelly, Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody scored goals in a blistering display.

James Stephens will be very disappointed with their performance however and even with Brian Cody on the sideline, the former Kilkenny boss couldn't influence a Village success and it's the Shamrocks who now look forward to a county final meeting with O'Loughlin Gaels.

The usual suspects were very much to the fore for the winners but even by his highest standards, this was an exceptional performance by TJ Reid who finished with 1-4 from play as well as playing a part in the majority of the goals.

The 35 year old forward also knocked over a wonderful sideline cut and some of his touches were worth the admission fee alone for those in attendance.

While the forward threat is to be expected, Shamrocks heavily restricted the ‘Village attack and this played no small part in the massive margin between the sides at the end.

James Stephens were able to welcome Cian Kenny back from injury and playing in a roving role he got the opening score of the game.

Unfortunatley for the 'Village though they wouldn't score again for another 16 minutes and in that time Shamrocks scored at their will to go 0-7 to 0-1 ahead.

Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody, Liam Barron, Eoin Kenneally and Niall Shortall all pointed and while James Stephens did respond with a series of frees from Eoin Guilfoyle and Niall Brassil and a score from play by Ross Whelan, the respite was only brief.

Further points from TJ Reid and Paddy Mullen arrived before the opening goal of the game arrived when TJ found Adrian Mullen with a pinpoint pass and he made no mistake in shooting past Gavin Costigan.

Andy Parsons narrowed the deficit in the opening minutes of the second half but in similar fashion to the first, the Shamrocks soon went through the gears and once TJ netted his side's second goal in the 38th minute, it was essentially game over.

The defending All-Ireland champions didn't let up either and they found the net on three more occasions before the end with Colin Fennelly scoring twice despite carrying a knock and Eoin Cody also getting in on the act.

It was exhibition stuff at times for the winners and they will be red hot favourites for the final in this type of form and that's despite being without players like Ronan Corcoran, Joey Holden and Joey Cuddihy.

In the absence of such crucial players in previous years, the likes of Dara Mason, Conor Walsh, Liam Barron and Niall Shortall have expertly stepped up to the mark for the Shamrocks.

Teams and Scorers

Shamrocks: TJ Reid (1-6, two frees), Colin Fennelly (2-0), Adrian Mullen (1-3), Eoin Cody (1-1), Niall Shortall, Eoin Kenneally, Liam Barron, Paddy Mullen (0-2 each), Stephen Barron (0-1)

James Stephens: Eoin Guilfoyle (0-4, four frees), Niall Brassil (0-2, two frees), Cian Kenny (0-2, one free), Andy Parsons, Luke Scanlon (0-2 each), Stephen Manogue (0-1, one free), Ross Whelan (0-1)

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

Subs: Eoin Reid for Fennelly 52 mins, Brian Butler for Walsh 53 mins, Mark Aylward for L Barron 58 mins, Stephen Barron for Shortall 58 mins.

James Stephens: Gavin Costigan; Shane Donohoe, Luke Murphy, Mikey Byrne; Niall Delaney, Niall Brassil, Diarmuid Cody; Luke Scanlon, Willie Spencer; Sean Manogue, Tadhg O'Dwyer, Andy Parsons; Ross Whelan, Cian Kenny, Eoin Guilfoyle.

Subs: Stephen Manogue for Whelan 41 mins, Ethan Butler for Guilfoyle 42 mins, Liam Rafter for Sean Manogue 48 mins.

Referee- Patrick O’Reilly (Barrow Rangers)