Sublime Shamrocks overcome O'Loughlin's to take Kilkenny SHC crown

Shamrocks Ballyhale have moved to the the top of the Kilkenny SHC Roll of Honour after they claimed a dominant county final success over O'Loughlin Gaels this afternoon.

The win which is the 21st in their illustrious history was built on a huge workrate all over the field with team captain TJ Reid leading the way with 11 points in total.

While nine points seperated the teams come the final whistle, it was a final that was tightly fought for 35 plus minutes and it was only when Eoin Cody netted at the start of the second half, that Henry Shefflin's men took control on the scoreboard.

Cody's goal where he took advantage of a mistake by Jordan Molloy arrived in a spell of 1-6 without reply as they gained a stranglehold over their opponents who only registered four second half points.

The county decider was nip and tuck throughout the opening half with the sides level at 0-8 apiece but in truth, the Shamrocks left a lot of scores behind them in the opening half.

Mark Bergin kept O'Loughlin's in it with four first half frees but once the Shamrocks upped it a level at the start of the second period, there was no looking back.

The likes of Joey Holden, Darragh Corcoran and Richie Reid laid the platform in defence for the winners and with TJ Reid at his usual best, O'Loughlin's were very much on the backfoot.

Brian Hogan's team weren't helped by a Conor Kelly red card that resulted in the midst of a melee that threatened to see things boil over in the 55th minute but it was that fighting spirit which set the Ballyhale outfit on the day.

It's a first title for the club since they defeated James Stephens back in 2022 and that drive and belief should see them in good stead ahead of the Leinster campaign in two weeks time.

Teams and Scorers

Shamrocks- TJ Reid (0-11, 5fs and 3 65's); Eoin Cody (1-1); Richie Reid (0-2); Darragh Corcoran, Ronan Corcoran, Liam Barron, Niall Shortall (0-1 each)

O'Loughlin Gaels- Mark Bergin (0-4, 4fs); Fionan Mackessy (0-3, 1f); Conor Kelly (0-1, 1f); Owen Wall, Conor Heary, Jordan Molloy, Mikey Butler (0-1 each)

Shamrocks- Dean Mason; Killian Corcoran, Joey Holden, Brian Butler, Paddy Mullen, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Eoin Kennealy, Ronan Corcoran; Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody, TJ Reid; Liam Barron, Brian Cody, Niall Shortall.

Subs: Dara Mason for Butler, 52 mins; John Fitzpatrick for B.Cody, 56 mins; Stephen Barron for P.Mullen, 60 mins; Finnian Shefflin for L.Barron, 62 mins; Conor Walsh for R.Corcoran, 62 mins.

O'Loughlin Gaels- Stephen Murphy; Tony Forristal, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler; Ronan Buckley, Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy; Jack Nolan, Eoin O'Shea; Luke Hogan, Conor Kelly, Conor Heary; Owen Wall, Fionan Mackessy, Mark Bergin.

Subs: Robbie Buckley for Bergin, 39 mins; Jamie Ryan for O'Shea, 44 mins; Greg Kelly for Hogan, 52 mins.

Referee- Conor Everard (Graigue Ballycallan)