Ballyhale Shamrocks 0-19 Newtownshandrum 0-17:THE FAVOURITES, powered by Henry Shefflin, yesterday maintained their course for a St Patrick's Day rematch with champions Portumna in next month's AIB All-Ireland club hurling final.
On a fresh, spring day in Thurles, ideal for hurling, Shamrocks controlled the trajectory of the game but never quite managed to shake off the persistent challenge of Newtownshandrum.
Although the Munster champions were within a score of the winners at the final whistle and pushed them all the way, the match was level for just two minutes out of the hour. Ballyhale began well with the wind to lead by three after six minutes. Newtown missed early chances with an uncharacteristic, first-minute wide from Ben O’Connor – his last such lapse of an afternoon during which the dead-ball duel with Shefflin (both hitting 90 per cent) was a notable feature.
Ballyhale had a lot of attacking possession but the Newtown backs scrapped hard and goalkeeper William Biggane pulled off a number of saves to prevent goals: Colin Fennell, Patrick Reid and Mark Aylward all had one-on-one chances and Biggane had to move smartly to keep them out.
The Cork side’s goalkeeper had to retire injured at half-time although replacement Paul Morrissey proved a capable deputy.
There was also a scramble in the 28th minute when Dermot Gleeson blocked Eoin Reid before Patrick Reid batted the ball wide. At times Newtown’s pace created difficulties. Cathal Naughton opened up avenues of opportunity and the half forwards hit some trademark long points.
There were only three points in it, 0-13 to 10, at half-time but Newtown opened strongly. Jamie Coughlan chased a PJ Copse ball behind the defence only to clip the chance wide. Shefflin was then wide with a ‘65’ to the uninhibited delight of the Newtown support.
The Kilkenny side were under pressure but James Connolly in goal emulated Biggane with a sequence of fine saves. One from Naughton yielded a ‘65’ for Ben O’Connor but a minute later he foiled a penalty attempt by Ryan Clifford after James Bowles was fouled by Tom Coogan.
Nonetheless Newtown turned the screw and equalised at 0-13 apiece 10 minutes into the half.
Parity lasted just a minute before Michael Aylward pointed to restore the lead and Shefflin then delivered an inspirational point despite the stringent attentions of Pat Mulcahy followed by a free.
Shamrocks kept the scoreboard ticking but couldn’t pull away, as the Cork side nicked points to stay in contention. James Fitzpatrick raised his game to drop back and pluck some vital possessions in the final quarter for Ballyhale.
There was some controversy at the very end. Aidan Cummins was very lucky to receive only a yellow card for a head-high challenge on Coughlan to prevent a goal chance. O’Connor pointed to cut the margin to 0-17 to 0-18.
Then referee Johnny Ryan called a long-distance free against Jerry O’Mahony after a tussle with Mark Aylward. Newtown talked it into a more promising position and Shefflin drove over the final score of the game. Newtown replacement Maurice Farrell was red-carded in injury-time.
“It was a big game for the start of the year and to get back to where we left off was our problem,” said winning manager Michael Fennelly. “We didn’t reach our peak in training but today we weren’t far off our peak.
“We needed a break as well because you need to be fresh and have an appetite for the game and that was evident today, they were all hungry for the game. They emptied the tank and gave it their all over the hour.”
His opposite number Phil Noonan praised his side’s efforts.
“We were there or thereabouts and maybe the bit of physical strength caught us there in the finish. We had one or two chances we didn’t take in the second half but overall I suppose there was only a puck of a ball in it really.
“We’re proud of our own fellas. They put up a huge show. They were up against a bigger physical team. They weren’t superior in skill but I suppose they got the rub of the green with a couple of fouls and frees at the end . . .”
Ballyhale’s focus now is on avenging that big defeat 12 months ago by Portumna.
“The hurt is over now I think. Portumna is next, so we can work on that. We’ll celebrate tonight and work on that over the next few weeks,” said Fennellly.
BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS: J Connolly; A Cuddihy, A Cummins, T Coogan; P Shefflin, E Walsh (capt), B Aylward; J Fitzpatrick (0-1), M Fennelly; C Fennelly (0-1), H Shefflin (0-13, eight frees, two 65s), TJ Reid (0-1); E Reid (0-1), P Reid, M Aylward (0-2). Subs: J Holden for P Shefflin (61 mins).
NEWTOWNSHANDRUM: W Biggane; J O’Mahony, B Mulcahy, D Gleeson (capt.); S O’Riordan, P Mulcahy, P Noonan; PJ Copse, C Naughton (0-1); R Clifford (0-2), J O’Connor (0-2), M Bowles (0-3); J Coughlan, J Bowles, B O’Connor (0-9, seven frees, one lineball, one 65). Subs: P Morrissey for Biggane (ht), J Herlihy for Copse (54 mins), J O’Connor for Clifford (54 mins), M Farrell for J Bowles (58 mins).
Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary).
