Shamrocks overcome Glenmore challenge to make Kilkenny SHC Semi-Final
Shamrocks Ballyhale 1-20 Glenmore 0-18
An Adrian Mullen inspired Shamrocks Ballyhale kept their hopes of back to back Kilkenny SHC titles alive when overcoming Glenmore in a competitive outing earlier this afternoon.
The last of the St Canice’s Credit Union SHC Quarter-Finals saw Mullen score six points from play as he continued to impress on his return from injury.
As well as the Kilkenny star’s total tally, an opening half goal from Niall Shortall was also crucial as Mark Aylward’s men ran out five point winners in the end.
Glenmore will look back on the defeat with some regret but they still put in a decent display with the likes of Darragh Vereker, Ian Byrne and Darragh Hartley excelling despite the loss.
Shamrocks made their intentions known from early on with Brian Cody and Adrian Mullen pointing well inside the first few minutes as the Ballyhale side led 0-5 to 0-2 after some 10 minutes of play.
A couple of Ian Byrne frees kept Glenmore in touch but a 17th minute goal from Niall Shortall which arrived at the end of a move including Adrian Mullen and Brian Cody saw the winners open up a double scores advantage (1-7 to 0-5).
Glenmore got a bit if momentum going before the end of the half with five points on the spin levelling up matters as Billy Reid, Darragh Hartley and Ian Byrne all scored in a fine spell for the South Kilkenny outfit.
The level game didn’t last long though with Cathal Coogan, TJ Reid via a majestic sideline cut and Brian Cody all pointing to ensure the Shamrocks led 1-11 to 0-11 at the interval.
Ger Aylward and Cathal Beirne both missed goal opportunities at the start of the second half for Glenmore and from there the Shamrocks gradually pulled clear on the scoreboard with Mullen, Evan Shefflin, Eoin Cody and Brian Cody all hitting the target.
Glenmore never threw in the towel with Darragh Hartley, Ciaran Kirwan, Ian Byrne and Ger Aylward ensuring that the Shamrocks remained honest till the end and the defending county champions eventually won out on a 1-20 to 0-18 final scoreline in the windup.
Teams and Scorers
Shamrocks Ballyhale: Adrian Mullen (0-6); Niall Shortall (1-1); Brian Cody (0-4); TJ Reid (0-3, 1f); Eoin Cody, Cathal Coogan (0-2 each); Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid (0-1 each)
Glenmore: Ian Byrne (0-9, 5fs); Darragh Hartley, Ciaran Kirwan (0-3 each); Jason Cody, Billy Reid, Ger Aylward (0-1 each)
Shamrocks Ballyhale: Dean Mason; Killian Ryan, Joey Holden, Cathal Coogan; Evan Shefflin, Darragh Corcoran, Killian Corcoran; Ronan Corcoran, Richie Reid; Brian Cody, Eoin Cody, Adrian Mullen; TJ Reid, Jake Mullen, Niall Shortall.
Subs: Liam Barron for J.Mullen, 44 mins; Brian Butler for Ryan, 52 mins; Dylan Aylward for Coogan, 52 mins; Michael Barron for A.Mullen, 59 mins; Cian Cullen for R.Corcoran, 62 mins.
Glenmore: Eoin Murphy; Darragh Vereker, Eoin Aylward, Richie Hennessy; Tomas Mullally, Shane Murphy, Billy Reid; Darragh Hartley, Jack Dollard; Cathal Beirne, Ian Byrne, Jason Cody; Charlie Phelan, Ciaran Kirwan, Philly Roche.
Subs: Ger Aylward for Cody, h-t; Dean Croke for Phelan, 56 mins; Colm Roche for Hartley, 56 mins.
Referee; Owen Beehan