Kilkenny SHC- Deegan hits late winner as O'Loughlins claim first senior title since 2016

Paddy Deegan was the hero as O'Loughlin Gaels claimed the scalp of Shamrocks Ballyhale in an absorbing St Canices Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Final in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Deegan's point in the second minute of stoppage time eventually helped his side see off the stubborn challenge of the six in a row chasing Shamrocks in a game that had almost everything.

Shamrocks knew from the same county final meeting two years ago that they'd need their a-game but being without a number of players meant this was a big opportunity for O'Loughlin's and they certainly took it to reign supreme in Kilkenny for a fifth time in their history.

The Ballyhale side may have been weakened numbers wise ( so much so that they didn't make one substitute) but their fighting spirit remained intact as despite being second best for a large portion of the contest, they were still right there at the end.

The game was played in front of 7,015 spectators and O'Loughlin's were on fire right from the start as they raced into an early four point lead.

Shamrocks hit back with scores from Evan Shefflin, Eoin Cody and TJ Reid but in Mark Bergin, O'Loughlin's had the star performer on the day and successive points between the 17th and 22nd minutes gave his team a three point buffer.

Somehow Shamrocks still managed to get level at the break though and when Eoin Cody hit them in front for the first time upon the resumption, a 21st title looked very much on the horizon for Pat Hoban's outfit but O'Loughlin's had other ideas.

It proved to be a chaotic final quarter and while there were many mistakes, it was no less compelling as the two rivals battled it out to claim hold of the Tom Walsh Cup.

Colin Fennelly was still clearly carrying the knock he picked up in the quarter-final win over Dicksboro but yet he managed two points including edging his team in front in the 56th minute.

Shamrocks usually see out games from that position but not this time as O'Loughlin's took control late on with David Fogarty hitting the equaliser before Deegan stepped up to send his club's supporters into ecstasy.

Teams and Scorers

 O’Loughlin Gaels: Mark Bergin (0-10 0-6fs, 0-1 ‘65), Paddy Deegan, Jack Nolan (0-2 each), David Fogarty, Conor Heary,  Owen Wall, Sean Bolger, Conor Kelly, Luke Hogan (0-1 each)

Shamrocks: TJ Reid (0-9, 0-7fs), Eoin Cody (0-3), Colin Fennelly, Adrian Mullen (0-2 each) Evan Shefflin, Conor Walsh,  Eoin Kenneally (0-1 each)

O’Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy; Tony Forrsital, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler; David Fogarty, Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy; Jack Nolan, Cian Loy; Mark Bergin, Eoin O’Shea, Conor Heary; Owen Wall, Paddy Butler, Sean Bolger.

Subs: Conor Kelly for O’Shea 40 mins, Luke Hogan for P.Butler 49 mins, Jamie Ryan for Nolan 55 mins.

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.

Referee: Peter Burke (Emeralds)