TJ REID RESCUED Ballyhale Shamrocks with a sensational late goal as the champions broke the hearts of Galway’s St Thomas in the All-Ireland senior club semi-final today.
Reid smashed a 20-yard free to the net, from just to the right of the goal in the 64th minute, to secure a spot in the All-Ireland final for the Kilkenny kingpins.
He had earlier found the net from a 55th minute penalty, priceless strikes on a day where St Thomas looked to be on course for victory with Conor Cooney and Eanna Burke in inspirational form.
But Reid again displayed his hurling greatness with the critical scores to set up a final meeting with Ballygunner.
Reid’s interventions were desperately needed too as Ballyhale chased this game in the second half. They trailed 0-18 to 0-14 with ten minutes remaining before a Reid free trimmed the deficit and then the James O’Connor-managed team received a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty, Colin Fennelly fouled after an incisive run from Darragh Corcoran.
Reid smashed the penalty to the net but then St Thomas wrestled back the momentum again with a pair of points from injury-time frees supplied by Conor Cooney, benefitting from the hard work of James Regan and David Burke to draw fouls.
TJ Reid in action against St Thomas. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
It appeared that St Thomas were set for a famous success but they were left devastated when Reid was fouled late on and dusted himself down to find the net. The Kilkenny star finished with 2-5 to his name with Eoin Cody (0-4) and Joe Cuddihy (0-3) also making valuable scoring contributions.
Yet this game was largely bossed by St Thomas. They got off to a brilliant start with the first four points of the game posted on the board, yet Ballyhale recovered to be in front 0-7 to 0-6 at the first water break. They were also grateful to a fine first-half save from goalkeeper Dean Mason to deny Eanna Burke.
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St Thomas charged back into contention again, in front 0-13 to 0-11 at half-time, and in the ascendancy at the second-half water break, 0-17 to 0-13. They had terrific performances all over them pitch, anchored by full-back Fintan Burke, and were in a strong position until Ballyhale pegged them back with those sensational Reid goals.
Scorers for Ballyhale Shamrocks: TJ Reid 2-5 (1-3f, 1-0 pen), Eoin Cody 0-4, Joe Cuddihy 0-3, Patrick Mullen, Colin Fennelly, Adrian Mullen 0-1 each.
Scorers for St Thomas: Conor Cooney 0-11 (0-10f, 0-1 sideline), Eanna Burke 0-4, Bernard Burke 0-2, Darragh Burke, Brendan Farrell, James Regan 0-1 each.
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TJ Reid hits dramatic late goal as Ballyhale defeat St Thomas to reach All-Ireland final
Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 2-15
St Thomas (Galway) 0-20
TJ REID RESCUED Ballyhale Shamrocks with a sensational late goal as the champions broke the hearts of Galway’s St Thomas in the All-Ireland senior club semi-final today.
Reid smashed a 20-yard free to the net, from just to the right of the goal in the 64th minute, to secure a spot in the All-Ireland final for the Kilkenny kingpins.
He had earlier found the net from a 55th minute penalty, priceless strikes on a day where St Thomas looked to be on course for victory with Conor Cooney and Eanna Burke in inspirational form.
But Reid again displayed his hurling greatness with the critical scores to set up a final meeting with Ballygunner.
Reid’s interventions were desperately needed too as Ballyhale chased this game in the second half. They trailed 0-18 to 0-14 with ten minutes remaining before a Reid free trimmed the deficit and then the James O’Connor-managed team received a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty, Colin Fennelly fouled after an incisive run from Darragh Corcoran.
Reid smashed the penalty to the net but then St Thomas wrestled back the momentum again with a pair of points from injury-time frees supplied by Conor Cooney, benefitting from the hard work of James Regan and David Burke to draw fouls.
It appeared that St Thomas were set for a famous success but they were left devastated when Reid was fouled late on and dusted himself down to find the net. The Kilkenny star finished with 2-5 to his name with Eoin Cody (0-4) and Joe Cuddihy (0-3) also making valuable scoring contributions.
Yet this game was largely bossed by St Thomas. They got off to a brilliant start with the first four points of the game posted on the board, yet Ballyhale recovered to be in front 0-7 to 0-6 at the first water break. They were also grateful to a fine first-half save from goalkeeper Dean Mason to deny Eanna Burke.
St Thomas charged back into contention again, in front 0-13 to 0-11 at half-time, and in the ascendancy at the second-half water break, 0-17 to 0-13. They had terrific performances all over them pitch, anchored by full-back Fintan Burke, and were in a strong position until Ballyhale pegged them back with those sensational Reid goals.
Scorers for Ballyhale Shamrocks: TJ Reid 2-5 (1-3f, 1-0 pen), Eoin Cody 0-4, Joe Cuddihy 0-3, Patrick Mullen, Colin Fennelly, Adrian Mullen 0-1 each.
Scorers for St Thomas: Conor Cooney 0-11 (0-10f, 0-1 sideline), Eanna Burke 0-4, Bernard Burke 0-2, Darragh Burke, Brendan Farrell, James Regan 0-1 each.
Ballyhale Shamrocks
Dean Mason
Darren Mullen, Joey Holden, Kevin Mullen
Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran
Paddy Mullen, Conor Phelan
Brian Cody, TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen
Joe Cuddihy, Colin Fennelly (captain), Eoin Cody
Subs
Eoin Kenneally for Phelan (inj) (29)
Brian Butler for Kevin Mullen (inj) (42)
Conor Walsh for Darren Mullen (55)
Eoin Reid for Kenneally (58)
St Thomas
Gerald Kelly
Cian Mahony, Fintan Burke, David Sherry
John Headd, David Burke, Cathal Burke
Evan Duggan, Bernard Burke
James Regan, Conor Cooney (captain), Eanna Burke
Oisin Flannery, Darragh Burke, Bernard Farrell
Subs
V Manso for Farrell (45)
Mark Caulfield for Duggan (58)
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Ballyhale Hurling St Thomas Star Man