Kilkenny SHC Final

Shamrocks Ballyhale 1-21 James Stephens 2-11

By Robert Cribbin at UPMC Nowlan Park

Shamrocks Ballyhale claimed a fifth successive Kilkenny SHC title when running out seven point winners over James Stephens in a wet and windy UPMC Nowlan Park.

Shamrocks played the majority of the second half with only 14 men after Paddy Mullen was given a straight red card, but the champions only served to use that as motivation as they ran out fully deserved winners.

James Stephens were looking to win a first Kilkenny senior crown since 2011 and they played well for the majority of the opening half but didn't get enough scores on the board to really trouble the Shamrocks.

Eoin Guilfoyle netted a goal in the 21st minute for the 'Village and in a low scoring opening period it looked like it would give James Stephens an edge as they led 1-4 to 0-4.

Slowly but surely, the Shamrocks found their groove though and they scored the next seven points to overturn the deficit.

TJ Reid, Colin Fennelly, Eoin Cody and Richie Reid all hit the target during this spell as the Shamrocks appeared to have weathered the James Stephens storm.

Niall Brassil knocked over a stoppage time free for the 'Village, but Shamrocks were in control as they led 0-11 to 1-5 at the interval.

The second half was barely five minutes old when Shamrocks midfielder Paddy Mullen was sent off but James Stephens could never really use this dismissal as inspiration.

James Stephens only scored 1-5 over the course of the following 25 minutes or so with the goal only arriving with two minutes remaining as Shamrocks raced ahead.

Points from Brassil and Conor Browne did get the 'Village back to within a point at the end of the third quarter, but it was from here that the champions took control.

Points from Fennelly, TJ Reid, Evan Shefflin and Darragh Corcoran arrived before Joey Cuddihy put the game to bed when flicking the sliotar past James Stephens goalkeeper Gavin Costigan after a flowing Shamrocks team move.

Shamrocks added on further points before the final whistle and while Conor Browne's goal did reduce the margin to six points, it arrived too late in the day as the Ballyhale side joined Tullaroan at the top of the Kilkenny senior hurling roll of honour on 20 titles.

**Scorers for Shamrocks Ballyhale:**TJ Reid 0-6 (3f, 1 65), Joey Cuddihy 1-2, Colin Fennelly 0-3, Darragh Corcoran 0-2, Ronan Corcoran 0-2, Eoin Cody 0-2, Evan Shefflin 0-1, Richie Reid 0-1, Adrian Mullen 0-1 and Niall Shortall 0-1.

Scorers for James Stephens: Niall Brassil 0-5 (3f), Conor Browne 1-1, Eoin Guilfoyle 1-0, Tadhg O'Dwyer 0-2, Cian Kenny 0-1, William Spencer 0-1, Andy Parsons 0-1.

Shamrocks Ballyhale: Dean Mason; Brian Butler, Joey Holden, Darren Mullen; Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Ronan Corcoran, Paddy Mullen; Adrian Mullen, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody; Eoin Kenneally, Colin Fennelly, Joey Cuddihy.

Subs: Niall Shortall for Kenneally (46), Killian Corcoran for Cuddihy (61).

James Stephens: Gavin Costigan; Luke Murphy, Diarmuid Cody, Shane Donoghue; Niall Delaney, Cian Kenny, Niall Mullins; William Spencer, Conor Browne; Andy Parsons, Niall Brassil, Matthew Ruth; Tadhg O'Dwyer, Eoin Guilfoyle, Luke Scanlon.

Subs: Ross Whelan for Ruth (48), David Hennessy for Parsons (54), Ethan Butler for Scanlon (57).

Referee: Conor Everard (Graigue-Ballycallan).