Kilkenny SHC Final

O'Loughlin Gaels 0-20 Shamrocks Ballyhale 0-19

O’Loughlin Gaels are the Kilkenny senior hurling champions for the first time since 2016 after they edged a titanic struggle over six in a row chasing Shamrocks Ballyhale in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Led by 10 points from team captain Mark Bergin and a defiant defensive display, O’Loughlin’s frustrated the defending county champions and after leading for long stages, they eventually put the seal on the win when Paddy Deegan knocked over the winning point in the 62nd minute.

Two points from the bench, courtesy of Conor Kelly and Luke Hogan also played a huge part in the success as the loss of a number of players eventually told for Shamrocks with Pat Hoban opting not to use any substitutes.

O’Loughlin’s raced out of the traps and were four points up within eight minutes of play as Mark Bergin, Sean Bolger and Paddy Deegan all found the range for the Kilkenny city side.

Shamrocks were always going to come back into the game and led by Evan Shefflin, TJ Reid and Eoin Cody they were back to within a point by the halfway mark of the half.

The game was very similar to the county final meeting between the sides two years previous, but unlike that occasion, O’Loughlin’s appeared to have better staying power when three Mark Bergin points helped his team lead 0-9 to 0-6.

Shamrocks don’t give in too easily and they were still level by the half-time break through points from Reid and Adrian Mullen.

The then defending All-Ireland champions went into the lead for the first time in the opening minute of the second half through Eoin Cody but slowly by surely, the O’Loughlin’s defence began to get on top.

The teams were level on nine occasions over the course of the 60 minutes of play and with there being a winner on the day, extra-time looked a distinct possibility throughout the second period.

Shamrocks have become experts at seeing out tight games, but ultimately this proved once step too far but even at that, they made a right go of it.

A missed TJ Reid free that would have gave his team a two point advantage in the 56th minute proved crucial and although Colin Fennelly put Shamrocks in front briefly, the final stanza was an O’Loughlin’s onslaught.

Missed chances from Mark Bergin, David Fogarty and Conor Kelly could have been fatal on another day, but not this afternoon as Fogarty equalised in stoppage time before Paddy Deegan hit the match-winner which sent the O’Loughlin’s supporters into raptures.

Scorers for O’Loughlin Gaels: Mark Bergin 0-10 (6fs, 1 ‘65), Paddy Deegan 0-2, Jack Nolan 0-2, David Fogarty 0-1, Conor Heary 0-1, Owen Wall 0-1, Sean Bolger 0-1, Conor Kelly 0-1, Luke Hogan 0-1.

Scorers for Shamrocks: TJ Reid 0-9 (7fs), Eoin Cody 0-3, Colin Fennelly 0-2, Adrian Mullen 0-2, Evan Shefflin 0-1, Conor Walsh 0-1, Eoin Kenneally 0-1

Shamrocks Ballyhale: Dean Mason; Dara Mason, Darragh Corcoran, Killian Corcoran; Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Paddy Mullen; Conor Walsh, Liam Barron; Adrian Mullen, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody; Eoin Kenneally, Colin Fennelly, Niall Shortall.

O’Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy; Tony Forrsital, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler; David Fogarty, Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy; Jack Nolan, Cian Loy; Mark Bergin, Eoin O’Shea, Conor Heary; Owen Wall, Paddy Butler, Sean Bolger.

Subs: Conor Kelly for O’Shea (40 mins), Luke Hogan for P.Butler (49 mins), Jamie Ryan for Nolan (55 mins).

Referee: Peter Burke (Emeralds).