Kilkenny SHC- Thomastown showcase title claims with statement win over Shamrocks

For the first time since 2017, the Kilkenny senior hurling final will be contested without the Shamrocks after Thomastown shocked their near neighbours on Saturday afternoon.

Led by an 11-point tally from Robbie Donnelly, along with vital contributions from the likes of Luke Connellan, John Donnelly, Stephen Donnelly and Zach Bay Hammond, the defending All-Ireland intermediate winners sent a few shockwaves around the county as they deservedly booked their place in the semi-finals.

The winners started well at John Locke Park and were able to maintain that momentum all through the contest. While a Colin Fennelly goal gave the Shamrocks some brief hope, it was a rare moment of quality play from the Ballyhale club with some of their prized assets well marshalled on the afternoon.

Between them the dangerous trio of Eoin Cody, TJ Reid and Adrian Mullen only scored three points from play - that Thomastown defensive stubbornness played a huge part in helping the Grennan men get over the line.

Shamrocks still had their chances but Thomastown had a defiant goalkeeper on their side with Diarmuid Galway producing a number of big saves from the likes of Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody and Liam Barron. For Thomastown, a good start was almost imperative and the senior newcomers raced out of the blocks with three points in the opening three minutes.

A pair of Robbie Donnelly frees was followed by a well taken effort from play by Luke Connellan before the Shamrocks got their first score via TJ Reid.

Paddy Mullen then doubled the Shamrocks tally but by midway through the half it was Thomastown who were in control as they led 0-7 to 0-2 after successive points from Luke Connellan, Jonjo Farrell, Stephen Donnelly and Colm Treacy.

Points from TJ Reid and Eoin Cody helped the Shamrocks grow into the game and they created a big goal chance when Adrian Mullen got free of the clutches of Zach Bay Hammond but his shot was expertly turned away by Diarmuid Galway.

Robbie Donnelly replied with two more frees for the ’Town but the Shamrocks momentum was building. On the back of a Niall Shortall effort, the sides were level at 0-9 apiece for the first time.

Adrian Mullen then edged last year’s county finalists in front but it was Thomastown who finished the half the better with Zach Bay Hammond, Robbie Donnelly and Stephen Donnelly giving Noel Doherty’s outfit a 0-12 to 0-10 advantage at the change of ends.

The start of the second half was always likely to play a huge part on the final result. Thomastown made a winning move as they knocked over five points on the spin before Shamrocks could find time to regroup.

Robbie Donnelly got four of the five scores, a run which included two fine points from play with Colm Treacy, who was lively all the way through, also finding his range.

Leading 0-17 to 0-10, Thomastown had the finishing line in their sights but even though they were struggling, Shamrocks were never going to go away easily.

Colin Fennelly gave their comeback hopes a big boost when flicking a long range free from TJ Reid past Diarmuid Galway for what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Shamrocks now had their eye in and Eoin Cody and Fennelly once again directed shots towards the country end goal in John Locke Park but Thomastown stood strong and survived the mini onslaught.

Killian Corcoran did add on a score for the chasing side but with Stephen Donnelly knocking over a brace, Thomastown still had a four point buffer entering the final quarter.

Shamrocks rallied again with TJ Reid knocking over three placed balls and extra-time looked to be on the horizon with only a point separating the sides.

This was Thomastown’s big chance to claim a sizeable scalp and they weren’t going to let it pass them by as Robbie Donnelly showcased when nailing a pair of difficult frees in the 56th and 58th minutes.

Eoin Cody ensured Thomastown were still on edge when bringing the deficit back to two but unlike on many other occasions, Shamrocks were unable to find a late goal as their luck ran out.

Teams and Scorers

Thomastown - Robbie Donnelly (0-11, 0-9 frees); Luke Connellan, Stephen Donnelly (0-3 each); Colm Treacy (0-2); Zach Bay Hammond, Jonjo Farrell (0-1 each).

Shamrocks: TJ Reid (0-10, 0-8 frees and 0-2 65s); Colin Fennelly (1-0); Eoin Cody (0-2); Paddy Mullen, Niall Shortall, Killian Corcoran, Adrian Mullen (0-1 each).

Thomastown - Diarmuid Galway; Peter Connellan, Jay Burke, Ned Kirwan; Brian Staunton, Eddie Donnelly, Peter McDonald; Jonjo Farrell, Zach Bay Hammond; Robbie Donnelly, Luke Connellan, John Donnelly; Rory Connellan, Stephen Donnelly, Colm Treacy.

Subs: David Prendergast for P Connellan, 19 mins; Naoise Dempsey for R Connellan, 55 mins.

Shamrocks - Dean Mason; Dara Mason, Joey Holden, Brian Butler; Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Killian Corcoran, Eoin Kenneally; Adrian Mullen, TJ Reid, Paddy Mullen; Niall Shortall, Eoin Cody, John Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Colin Fennelly for Keneally, 28 mins; Liam Barron for Fitzpatrick, h/t.

Referee - Julian O’Dwyer (Windgap