Ballyhale claim fourth straight title in Kilkenny

Gaelic games round-up: Ballyhale Shamrocks claimed their fourth successive Kilkenny SHC title and a 13th in total at Nowlan …

Gaelic games round-up: Ballyhale Shamrocksclaimed their fourth successive Kilkenny SHC title and a 13th in total at Nowlan Park today as they saw off great rivals James Stephensby 1-14 to 1-11 in front of a crowd of 8,000.

Late points from Henry Shefflin, TJ Reid and Colin Fennelly finally saw Shamrocks shake loose from Stephens’ grasp as they emulated the feat of Carrickshock, who won four straight titles in the early 1940s.

TJ Reid hit two points in a low-scoring first half that Ballyhale edged 0-6 to 0-4.

It was another of the Reid family, Eoin, who grabbed the goal in a personal haul of 1-3.

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And although Eoin McCormack also claimed a three-pointer for James Stephens, three points from TJ Reid in the closing stages helped the defending champions keep their title.

A sensational second-half comeback booked Ulstera place in the final of the M Donnelly Interprovincial football championship at the expense of Leinsteras they prevailed on a scoreline of 1-14 to 1-10 at Crossmaglen on Saturday.

Joe Kernan's men were seven adrift at the break but made use of the wind to score 12 unanswered points in the second half.

Paddy Bradley grabbed six of those and Kevin Hughes two, while Leinster pointed just once after the break.

Joe Sheridan’s stoppage time goal at the end of the first period cancelled out Joe McMahon’s early strike and gave Leinster a 1-09 to 1-02 lead.

Ulster will now face Munsterin the London decider after they held off a late Connacht surge to win 1-13 to 1-10 at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

A superb goal from Limerick’s Pa Ranahan just before interval gave the home side a 1-9 to 1-3 lead at the break.

Sligo’s David Kelly grabbed Connacht’s three-pointer, firing home to the net after Tipp goalkeeper Paul Fitzgerald saved his penalty kick following a foul on Joe Bergin.

Munster went seven points clear in the second half, but four unanswered points from Connacht gave them a glimmer of hope, only for the home side to run the clock down to book their place in the final.

Paul Barden was in inspired form as Longford side Clonguishbeat Wexford's Horeswoodby 2-10 to 0-5 in the first round of the AIB Leinster Club SFC at Longford.

Barden helped himself to 1-4 of their total, but also helped create plenty of other scores in a cracking all-round display.

Clonguish will now go up against Westmeath side Garrycastle in the second round.

Johnny Reynolds was the hero for Claraas the Offaly side overcame an eight-point half-time deficit to see off Kildare side St Laurencesin Newbridge by 1-12 to 2-8

Reynolds scored five points from play, including the last four for his side as they claimed victory in injury time.

Today's other first-round tie proved a complete mismatch as six-time Leinster champions Portlaoisehammered Louth's Mattock Rangers2-21 to 0-2 in Drogheda.

After failing in the last two deciders, Charelstownmade it third-time lucky as they saw off Knockmoreon a scoreline of 0-9 to 0-6 to claim their first Mayo SFC title since 2001 in Castlebar

Former All-Star Declan Browne bagged 2-4, including the vital 52nd-minute goal as Moyle Roversbeat Aherlow3-6 to 1-11 in an exciting Tipperary SFC decider at Semple Stadium.

Antrim champions Dunloychalked up their tenth Ulster Club hurling title as they beat Ballycranof Down by 2-16 to 2-11 at Casement Park, with Paddy Richmond's two second-half goals proving the vital scores

RESULTS
Ulster 1-14, Leinster 1-10.
Munster 1-13 Connacht 1-10

SATURDAY

Interprovincial SFC semi-finals

SUNDAY
Leinster Club SFC first round

Portlaoise (Laois) 2-21, Mattock Rangers (Louth) 0-2
Clonguish (Longford) 2-10 Horeswood (Wexford) 0-5
Clara (Offaly) 1-12, St Laurence's (Kildare) 2-8

Mayo Club SFC Final
Charlestown 0-9, Knockmore 0-6

Tipperary Club SFC Final
Moyle Rovers 3-6 Aherlow 1-11

Ulster Club SHC Final
Dunloy (Antrim) 2-16 Ballycran (Down) 2-11

Kilkenny Club SHC Final
Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-14 James Stephens 1-11