TJ Reid to the fore as Shamrocks claim opening league win over Bennettsbridge

Shamrocks Ballyhale have been slow starters in the 1st Round of the St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League
in recent years, so their impressive seven point victory over Bennettsbridge in Thomastown on Thursday evening is a
clear indication that they mean business in 2025.

Henry Shefflin has returned as manager, and he is being assisted by Mark Aylward and Eoin Reid, all three of whom have savoured many memorable days with the club.

PICTURES: Shamrocks Ballyhale begin Kilkenny senior championship season in style

The opening game in this year’s St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League drew a huge crowd to Thomastown
and they were treated to a highly competitive contest.

The winners lined out without Adrian Mullan, while a few more of their players had just arrived back into the country after time abroad.

The opening quarter saw plenty of intense hurling from both teams. Bennettsbridge more than held their own during
that period.

Bill Hughes landed the first point of the game and of this year’s St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling
League after twenty-nine seconds.

Both teams opted to play the ball short at regular intervals out of their defence, but the winners took advantage of the
breeze early on to land a few long deliveries in the direction of TJ Reid who was operating at full forward.

Reid was the winner’s sole scorer in the opening quarter, landing five points, three from play, a free and a sixty-five.

He almost grabbed a goal on twelve minutes when he collected an Eoin Cody cross, but Enda Cleere in the Bennettsbridge goal
made a brilliant save.

Pointed frees from Jamie Harkin and James Huges plus another from play from Liam Blanchfield saw the ‘Bridge trail
the winners by a point towards the end of the first quarter.

The first goal of the game arrived on fifteen minutes when Niall Shortall collected a TJ Reid cross to score for the winners.

The margin between the sides widened on twenty-two minutes when Eoin Cody scored a second goal for the
Shamrocks.

Moments before that score, Bennettsbridge had a goal-scoring chance of their own, but when Shamrocks Ballyhale regained possession the transition of the sliothar to the other end of the pitch was swift and effective with Eoin Cody raising a green flag.

That second Shamrocks goal put five points between the sides, but to their credit Bennettsbridge continued to work hard and were rewarded with points from Jamie Harkin (2), Hugh O’Neill and Timmy Kelly to stay on their opponents coattails.

Enda Cleere in the Bennettsbridge goal pulled off another great save on twenty-seven minutes when he stopped a
goal-bound effort from Liam Barron. But as the game ebbed towards the interval, the winners were finding it that little
bit easier to tap over the points with Richie Reid and Ronan Corcoran both raising white flags.

Two pointed frees on the cusp of half time for Bennettsbridge from James Hughes left Shamrocks Ballyhale ahead 2-12 to 0-11 at the interval.

TJ Reid landed the opening point of the second half with an early free, but within a minute Jack Campion scored a fine
goal for Bennettsbridge after a great run by Timmy Kelly. That brought the margin back to five points and with the ‘Bridge now enjoying wind advantage they were right back in the game.

If TJ Reid was the ace in the winner’s team in the opening half, not too far behind was Darragh Corcoran. The former
Kilkenny senior panellist really blossomed in the second half working between his defence and attack and giving a
Player of the Match performance.

The highlight of Corcoran’s display was a brilliant run from out the field on fifty-two minutes which saw him score his side’s third goal, just after he had landed a point.

Ronan Corcoran, also back from his travels, was superb for the winners at midfield and landed five points from play.

Eoin Cody also played a big part in his side’s victory, but it was the overall team-work which the winners displayed
from the throw-in that guided them to victory.

For much of the game Bennettsbridge hurled very well, but whenever they were building momentum, up popped the
winners with a couple of goals. Enda Morrissey had a great second half with his duel with TJ Reid one of the highlights
of the game.

David Blanchfield and Timmy Kelly were excellent the ‘Bridge, while subs Adrian Cleere and Willie Murphy landed some fine points in the closing stages of the game.

Teams and Scorers

Shamrocks Ballyhale- TJ Reid (0-11, 0-4 frees and 0-3 ‘65’s); Eoin Cody (1-4); Ronan Corcoran (0-5); Darragh Corcoran (1-1); Niall Shortall (1-0); Eoin Kenneally and Richie Reid (0-1, each).

Bennettsbridge- James Hughes (0-7, frees); Bill Hughes (0-4, 0-1 ’65); James Harkin (0-3, 0-1 fee); Jack Campion (1-0); Willie Murphy (0-2); Timmy Kelly, Liam Blanchfield, Arian Cleere, David Blanchfield, Shane Byrne and Hugh O’Neill (0-1, each).

Shamrocks Ballyhale- Dean Mason; Killian Corcoran; Joey Holden; Darragh Corcoran; Evan Shefflin; Richie Reid; Patrick Mullan; Brian Cody; Ronan Corcoran; Liam Barron; Eoin Cody; TJ Reid; Eoin Kenneally, John Fitzpatrick; Niall Shortall.

Subs – Dara Mason for Paddy Mullan (41); Stephen Barron for John Fitzpatrick (46); Larry Cody for Liam Barron (58);
Conor Walsh for Evan Shefflin (59); Cian Cullen for Niall Shortall (60).

Bennettsbridge- Enda Cleere; Shane Byrne; Enda Morrissey; Daniel Murphy; David Blanchfield; Conor Murphy; Timmy Kelly; Jamie Harkin; Bill Hughes; Hugh O’Neill; Sean Morrissey; James Hughes; Harry Murphy; Liam Blanchfield; Jack Campion.

Subs – Willie Murphy for Jack Campion Inj. (38); Adrian Cleere for Harry Murphy (48).

Referee – David Hughes (Barrow Rangers).

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