LEINSTER SHC: Ballyhale Shamrocks 2-20 Oulart-the-Ballagh 1-21 (AET – 2-14 to 1-17 after normal time)BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS left it late to force extra-time and required the additional 20 minutes to overcome brave Oulart-the-Ballagh in a thrilling Leinster championship tie at Wexford Park yesterday.
Oulart looked like delivering a much-needed boost for Wexford hurling when Nicky Kirwan’s pointed free gave them the lead 30 seconds into injury-time.
But the Kilkenny champions, who had been second best for the opening half, struck back 90 seconds into the two minutes of allotted additional time and Eoin Reid’s equalising point forced the tie into extra-time.
Having been just seconds away from dethroning the reigning provincial champions, Oulart failed to score in the opening 10-minute period of extra time as Ballyhale took a three-point lead.
The Wexford champions showed real spirit during the second period of extra time, but it fell just short as Ballyhale completed a rousing recovery, having trailed by seven points, 1-15 to 1-8, 11 minutes into the second half.
Ballyhale’s extra firepower up front proved crucial as the Reid brothers, Henry Shefflin and Colin Fennelly shone during their rousing second-half comeback.
When it mattered most, Ballyhale dominated in midfield where both James “Cha” Fitzpatrick and Michael Fennelly were immense while Aidan Cummins, Alan Cuddihy and Eamonn Walsh were water-tight throughout in defence.
Oulart had outstanding defenders in Paul Roche and David Redmond. Michael Jacob was the pick of their midfielders, but they fell short up front and had to depend on Rory Jacob and Darren Nolan for scores from play, while Nicky Kirwan was accurate from placed balls.
Oulart led 1-11 to 1-6 at the interval as both sides served up some splendid hurling. Assisted by a strong wind, they led 0-6 to 0-3 after 12 minutes. One minute later Darren Stamp played the ball inside to Nicky Kirwan who crashed a 14-metre shot to the net.
Oulart had four points in a row after a Henry Shefflin effort had reduced the deficit, the points flowing from John Roche, a huge 100 metre free, Laurence Prendergast, Michael Jacob and a Kirwan free to extend the lead to 1-10 to 0-4 after 21 minutes.
Five minutes before the break, Ballyhale received a huge boost as Patrick Reid picked out brother TJ who finished splendidly to the net to reduce the interval deficit to 1-11 to 1-6.
Two Shefflin points, one a free, reduced the deficit within four minutes of the restart, but Oulart retained their composure, hitting four unanswered points through Rory Jacob, Kirwan (two frees) and Nolan to lead, 1-15 to 1-8, after 41 minutes.
The reigning provincial champions stormed back and drew level at 2-12 to 1-15 with Colin Fennelly and Shefflin combining for TJ Reid to crash home a splendid goal with 11 minutes remaining. It was nip and tuck right to the finish and Eoin Reid’s dramatic late levelling point left the sides at 2-14 to 1-17 at the end of normal time.
In extra-time, Shamrocks pulled three clear thanks to points from TJ Reid, Eoin Reid and Shefflin.
But points from Nolan and Rory Jacob hauled Oulart right back into contention as TJ Reid (two) and substitute David Hoyne kept Ballyhale noses in front before Rory Jacob’s late goal attempt flew just over the bar.
BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS:J Connolly; A Cuddihy, A Cummins, T Coogan; P Shefflin, E Walsh, B Aylward; J Fitzpatrick, M Fennelly; TJ Reid (2-4, 0-1 free), H Shefflin (0-8, four frees), C Fennelly (0-2); P Reid (0-1), E Reid (0-3), M Aylward. Subs: B Costelloe for P Reid, D Hoyne (0-2) for Aylward, P Holden for Coogan.
OULART-THE-BALLAGH:B O'Connor; J Roche (0-1 free), P Roche, B Kehoe; D. Redmond, K Rossiter, L Prendergast (0-1); E Moore, M Jacob (0-1); D Nolan (0-4), D. Stamp, S Doyle; R Jacob (0-5), G Sinnott (0-1), N Kirwan (1-8, 0-8 frees). Subs: A O'Leary for Doyle; S Murphy for Moore; Doyle for O'Leary; D Mythen for Sinnott.
Referee:B Gavin (Offaly).
Next Up . . .
In the provincial semi-finals – to be played on Sunday, November 15th – Ballyhale will host newly-crowned Dublin champions Ballyboden, St Enda’s, while Clonkill will host Tullamore.
