Kilkenny SHC- Mason heroics sees 14-man Shamrocks past Dicksboro

Shamrocks Ballyhale got the fright of their lives as they battled to a two point victory over Dicksboro in a pulsating Kilkenny SHC Semi-Final in UPMC Nowlan Park.

A first half red card to Paddy Mullen meant Shamrocks played for over half an hour with a player less but that was only the beginning of the drama with Dean Mason forced to make a last gasp double save from Cillian Hackett and Cillian Buckley late on.

Even at that, the Boro thought they had snatched success when Anthony Clifford flicked in a goal from a long range Darragh Holohan free but official David Hughes ruled out the effort for a square ball.

The point-taking of Adrian Mullen and TJ Reid throughout the second half proved crucial on the end result as Henry Shefflin's team found a way to survive.

Dicksboro made the better start and were quickly into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after points from Cillian Hackett, Shane Stapleton, and Matthew Kelleher.

Shamrocks kept in touch through efforts from the brotherly duo of Richie and TJ Reid but they were guilty of trying to find goals when easier scores were on.

The Ballyhale outfit soon found their scoring groove however with points from TJ, Brian Cody, Niall Shortall and Adrian Mullen meaning they led 0-7 to 0-5 by the 20th minute.

Back to back scores from Cillian Hackett and Kevin Moore kept the Boro at it before a Liam Moore goal in the 25th minute saw the city side retake the advantage.

Shamrocks then suffered the blow of Paddy Mullen receiving a straight red card but initially it didn't overly dismay the side in green and white with points from Eoin Cody and TJ Reid levelling up matters at the interval.

The winning team made a run for home at the start of the second period with scores from TJ, Eoin Kenneally and Eoin Cody and while they seemed comfortable to a point, they could never fully shake off Dicksboro.

The introuction of Patrick Lacey off the bench really changed the game for Eamon Jackman's team as the minor star scored four points including two cracking efforts from play.

The Boro got back level as a result but with TJ landing two frees and Adrian Mullen knocking over a fourth score from play, the Shamrocks looked like they'd done enough as they opened up a 0-21 to 1-16 lead.

Dicksboro then threw everything but the kitchen sink at it in the last few minutes but somehow the Shamrocks stood tall to secure a county final berth against O'Loughlin Gaels.

Teams and Scores

Shamrocks Ballyhale: TJ Reid (0-10, 8fs); Adrian Mullen (0-4); Eoin Cody (0-3); Richie Reid, Eoin Kenneally, Brian Cody, Niall Shortall (0-1 each)

Dicksboro: Patrick Lacey (0-4, 2fs); Cillian Hackett (0-4); Liam Moore (1-1); Shane Stapleton (0-2, 1f); Timmy Clifford (0-2); Kevin Moore, Matthew Kelleher, Eoghan Moylan (0-1 each)

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

Subs: Ronan Corcoran for Shefflin, 34 mins; Stephen Barron for L.Barron, 57 mins.

Dicksboro: Darragh Holohan; Niall Rowe, Padraic Moylan, Evan Cody; Eoin Fennelly, Cillian Buckley, Eoghan Moylan; Joe Sheehan, Ollie Walsh; Timmy Clifford, Liam Moore, Kevin Moore; Cillian Hackett, Matthew Kelleher, Shane Stapleton. 

Subs: Mark Nolan for P.Moylan, 7 mins; Patrick Lacey for Stapleton, 38 mins; James Carroll for Walsh, 45 mins; Anthony Clifford for Kelleher, 47 mins.

Referee: David Hughes