A splendidly executed 62nd-minute goal from sub Niall Rohan sealed a great win for Carrickshock over neighbours and defending champions, Ballyhale Shamrocks in the Kilkenny senior hurling semi-final at Nowlan Park yesterday, with a scoreline of 4-14 to 2-14. The winners play All-Ireland club intermediate champions, Clara in the final in two weeks’ time.

The ‘Shock were buzzing from the off, and led by 0-6 to 0-1 after only eight minutes. Shamrocks, directed by the shrewd Henry Shefflin, who made a goal for Colin Fennelly in the 13th minute, steadied the ship and trailed by 1-4 to 0-9 at the interval. Carrickshock, inspired by Richie and John Power, John Tennyson and a fit again Michael Rice were never caught. Shamrocks applied pressure, with a goal between the sides during the closing five minutes, but Rohan’s goal decided it.