KILKENNY SHC SEMI-FINALS: Ballyhale Shamrocks 2-18 O'Loughlin Gaels 3-12:HENRY SHEFFLIN grabbed 1-9 as Ballyhale Shamrocks dethroned county and Leinster champions O'Loughlin Gaels.
Shefflin struck for a superb goal in the 41st minute at Nowlan Park yesterday to put Shamrocks into a commanding 2-13 to 0-7 lead.
Two goals from young sub Danny Loughnane inspired a stirring comeback for O’Loughlins but Shamrocks never panicked.
Shamrocks led 0-10 to 0-5 at half-time and a great goal from Colin Fennelly saw them extend their lead seconds after the restart. And after Shefflin’s goal the writing was already on the wall for the champions.
BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS:R Reid: P Shefflin, A Cummins, G Fennelly, J Holden, E Walsh, B Aylward, J 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, M Fennelly, C Fennelly (1-1), H Shefflin (1-9), TJ Reid (0-3), D Hoyne (0-1), E Reid (0-1), C. Walsh. Subs: M Aylward (0-2) for C Walsh; A Cuddihy for P Shefflin; P Reid for D Hoyne.
O'LOUGHLIN GAELS:S Murphy; B Kelly, A Kearns, E Kearns: A O'Brien, B Hogan, N Bergin; P Dowling, M Nolan (0-2), A Geoghegan, M Comerford (1-0), N McEvoy, M Kelly (0-1), M Bergin (0-7), C Bergin. Subs: D Loughnane (2-1) for C Bergin; B Dowling (0-1) for P Dowling.
Referee:D O'Sullivan (John Lockes).
