Sport

Shefflin keeps Ballyhale on course for a three-in-a-row

KILKIENNY SHC SEMI-FINALS : HENRY SHEFFLIN scored 10 points and led the attack superbly as All-Ireland champions in 2007, Ballyhale…

Mon Oct 13 2008 - 01:00

KILKIENNY SHC SEMI-FINALS: HENRY SHEFFLIN scored 10 points and led the attack superbly as All-Ireland champions in 2007, Ballyhale Shamrocks kept on course for the three in-a-row in Kilkenny by defeating Carrickshock 1-21 to 0-11 at Nowlan Park yesterday.

Shefflin put four scores together during a crucial stage of the second half to pile the pressure on Carrickshock.The losers trailed by 0-2 to 0-7 after 20 minutes but improved to draw level to draw level at 0-7 each at the interval.

Carrickshock opened the second half with a pointed free from Richard Power to take the lead for the first time.

But Shefflin hit four scores on the trot as the champions found their best touch. With three points from Colin Fennelly, Eoin Reid and TJ Reid they surged 0-16 to 0-9 clear.

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Then in the 51st minute Shefflin put the ball in to the danger area and TJ Reid swept the sliotar one-handed into the net to effectively end the game as a contest.

SCORERS: Shamrocks:H Shefflin 0-10, TJ Reid 1-3, E Reid 0-4, C Fennelly 0-3, B Costelloe (0-1). Carrickshock: S. Power (0-1), R. Power (0-8), S Power, M Rice and M O'Dwyer 0-1 each.

• A SWEETLY-taken 45th minute goal from Kilkenny star, Eoin Larkin proved decisive as James Stephens pipped O'Loughlin Gaels 1-12 to 0-13 in the second semi-final.

Larkin was put in the clear by Peter Barry before firing home the goal that put his side 1-11 to 0-11 ahead. Larkin followed up with a pointed free from beyond midfield, and suddenly the game was gone on O'Loughlin's.

The teams were level at 0-4 and 0-6 apiece during a tight first half but points from Maurice Nolan (2) and Alan Geoghegan left O'Loughlins 0-9 to 0-7 ahead at the break.

But James Stephens upped the ante after the break and scores from David McCormack, Richard Hayes and Eoin Larkin saw them level proceedings at 0-10 each.

Following an exchange of points Larkin swooped for the game's crucial score. O'Loughlins fought to the finish but it proved to no avail.

SCORERS: James Stephens: E Larkin 1-4, D McCormack 0-4, D. Cody 0-1, R. Hayes 0-1, G.Whelan 0-1, M. Phelan 0-1. O'Loughlin Gaels: M Nolan 0-8, M Bergin 0-3, A Geoghegan (0-2),

• ULSTER CLUB SHC: Two late goals by Martin Óg Coulter helped Down champions Ballygalget defeat Keady (Armagh) 4-13 to 0-12 in the first of yesterday's Ulster club semi-finals at Casement Park. In the second semi-final Shane McNaughton hit two goals as Antrim champions Cushendall defeated Kevin Lynchs (Dungiven) 3-11 to 2-8.