Kilkenny SHC- Shamrocks emphatically see off Erin's Own in championship opener

Shamrocks Ballyhale were in ruthless form as they claimed a resounding victory over Erin’s Own in the opening round of the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship on Saturday evening.

The Ballyhale outfit were intent on setting out a warning to the rest of their rivals and they were never in trouble as they dominated the game from start to finish.

Henry Shefflin’s team quickly put the game to bed as they registered 1-16 in the opening half with Brian Cody getting the goal.
Comer did battle on with second half goals from Conor McMahon and Dan Coogan but they were outclassed all over the field as their South Kilkenny opponents landed points for fun with Biall Shortall, Stephen Barron, Eoin Cody and Eoin Kenneally all putting in big shifts.

While it was tight in the opening exchanges with Eoin Kenneally and Conor McMahon sharing the first two scores, it didn’t take long for the Shamrocks to assume control with Kenneally, TJ Reid and Niall Shortall scoring in double quick time.

Comer’s first score from play only arrived in the 11th minute via Michael Brennan before Shamrocks hit another purpe patch with Ronan Corcoran and Brian Cody adding to further efforts from TJ Reid and Eoin Kenneally.

A goal was very much on the cards and it was a thing of beauty when it arrived in the 20th minute as Eoin Cody produced a magical flicked handpass into the path of his brother Brian who made no mistake in shooting past Sean Buggy in the Erin’s Own goal.

Two Jack Buggy frees and a second Michael Brennan effort were Comer’s only points in response as Shamrocks went through the gears with Eoin Cody, TJ Reid, Liam Barron Stephen Barron all on target before the interval as they led 1-16 to 0-5.

The relentless nature of the Shamrocks didn’t let up either with four points on the trot upon the resumption before Erin’s Own got something of a consolation goal when Conor McMahon converted a penalty on the back of Dan Coogan being fouled in the square.

Shamrocks continued to score points at will for the rest of the game and they had the advantage of being able to get almost a full half of hurling into the legs of Adrian Mullen with himself and Finnian Shefflin pointing in the second half. The winners had 12 different scorers in total and showed that they are in decent shape ahead of a quarter-final with Thomastown.

Comer got another goal via Dan Coogan late on and although they were well beaten on the day, in many ways it was already job done as they avoided the relegation battle.

Teams and Scorers

Shamrocks: TJ Reid (0-9, 8fs); Brian Cody (1-2); Niall Shortall (0-5); Stephen Barron, Eoin Cody, Eoin Kenneally (0-3 each); Darragh Corcoran (0-2); Ronan Corcoran, Liam Barron, Evan Shefflin, Adrian Mullen, Finnian Shefflin (0-1 each)

Erin’s Own: Conor McMahon (1-2, 2fs); Dan Coogan (1-0); Jack Buggy (0-3, 2fs); Michael Brennan (0-2); Eoin Brennan (0-1)

Shamrocks: Dean Mason; Killian Corcoran, Joey Holden, Brian Butler; Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Eoin Kenneally, Ronan Corcoran; Liam Barron, Eoin Cody, TJ Reid; Stephen Barron, Brian Cody, Niall Shortall.

Subs: Dara Mason for R.Corcoran, 20 mins; Adrian Mullen for K.Corcoran, 34 mins; John Fitzpatrick for E.Cody, 49 mins; Conor Walsh for R.Reid, 54 mins; Finnian Shefflin for Shortall, 55 mins.

Erin’s Own: Sean Buggy; Conor Brophy, Ciaran Wallace, Jack Comerford; Conor McMahon, Conor Delaney, James Brennan; Shane Feehan, Eoghan Moore; John Dowd, Eoin Brennan, Michael Brennan; Jack Buggy, Dan Coogan, James Coogan.

Subs: Cathal Holland for Brophy, h-t; Shane Coogan for Moore, h-t; Tommy Coogan for J.Coogan, 40 mins.

Referee: Owen Kenny