Search Results for 'Eoin Reid'

1. Critical battle areas:

Ballyhale Shamrocks earned themselves a rematch with champions Portumna on St Patrick’s Day when they earned a deserved but narrow victory over Newtownshandrum at Thurles on Sunday.

Kilkenny intermediates’ great victory over Dublin after extra time last Saturday afternoon means once again it's a clean sweep of provincial titles. This achievement in itself would satisfy most hurling counties, but in Kilkenny the players are only too aware that their greatness is judged on their ability to land All-Ireland titles. Pressure it may be but that's the reality you face when you pull on the famous black and amber shirt. This Sunday, both the seniors and minors head to Croker hoping they can get the job done which would give them a tilt at All-Ireland glory.

Ballyhale Shamrocks 3-19

This pairing has left hurling supporters counting the days to this Sunday ever since it emerged that the 2008 champions (Portumna) would be taking on their immediate predecessors, Ballyhale Shamrocks, who triumphed in 2007. This has the potential to be a real classic between two outstanding clubs, both of whom have a proven record at this level.

Awesome! That’s the only word to sum up the Kilkenny hurling club kingpins. Despite Shamrocks running out 13-point victors, they were cruising along with effortless ease led by Henry Shefflin as they cantered into their fourth consecutive final.

The Shamrocks remain on course to lift the Tom Walsh Cup for the third consecutive year after blowing away Carrickshock in a second half blitz last Sunday. They outscored their neighbours 1-14 to 4 points in a virtuoso second half display that once again left people in the stands in awe of their talents. The Ballyhale men most certainly hit the field running with early scores from Henry and Eoin Reid before Richie Power hit back for the Carrickshock men. The Shamrocks’ machine took off once more with points from Henry (3), Colin Fennelly and the impressive Eoin Reid. At this early stage it looked fairly bleak for the ‘Shocks as the Ballyhale men ghosted around the field slotting scores from all angles. The one Carrickshock man that rose to the occasion was their Offaly import David Franks, his burst up the field 10 minutes before half-time, seemed to inspire some of his colleagues. I don't know whether it was that Carrickshock lifted their game or the Ballyhale men dosed off due to their comfortable position, but they certainly had the better of the exchanges during the last ten minutes. Points from intercounty men Michael Rice, Richie Power and one from Shane Power left the minimum between them as half-time approached. This year’s county minor Mark O'Dwyer levelled proceedings on the stroke of half-time with a well taken score.

Thousands of supporters flocked to Nowlan Park on Sunday last to witness the end of the senior club hurling and the battle of the greats. Ballyhale were seeking their 3-in-a-row and James Stephens were hoping to prevent them reaching it. Earlier predictions saw a Ballyhale landslide victory. However, the men from the Village fought to the bitter end. They refused to hang their heads and were worthy opponents. Ballyhale’s Trojan defence can be credited with their victory, they didn’t give an inch with six of the Village scores coming from frees with the other points from David McCormack, Philly Larkin and Mathew Ruth. James Stephens’s Achilles heal was their attack which at times lacked power and speed, whenever the ball was sent their way, it nearly always landed in Padraig Holden’s grasp- who cleaned up for Ballyhale. Philly Larkin, Mathew Ruth, an injured Eoin Larkin and Peter Barry tried their best up front for the Village. While captain Jackie Tyrrell ran the length and breadth of the ground. Ballyhale were led to victory courtesy of the Reid brothers. TJ, Eoin and Patrick put in super displays and their ability to score in difficult situations proved decisive. Eoin and Paddy’s goals put Ballyhale in the driving seat. Henry had a relatively quiet game, he was held firmly by the strength of Jackie Tyrrell who never allowed Shefflin to shine as he only scored one point from play and at times showed his frustration. However the day belonged to the men from Ballyhale, and while at times the score could have gone either way, their skill and strength won out resulting in a five point lead. The Kilkenny senior team wil, for another year, be led by a Ballyhale man.

The Shamrocks won’t be shining on St Patrick’s Day after they were beaten by a superior Portumna side.

The Tom Walsh Cup made the familiar journey back to Ballyhale on Sunday evening after the Shamrocks had withstood a massive second half effort from James Stephens to land their third successive Kilkenny county title. The club may only have been formed in 1972 but Sunday’s victory lifts them to joint second with Bennettsbridge and Mooncoin in the roll of honours list. They will have to add eight more to catch up on the mighty Tullaroan club, mind you, they have had a head start on the Shamrocks’ club considering that they won their first title back in 1887.