Ballyhale Shamrocks stunned by All-Ireland intermediate champions Thomastown

BALLHALE SHAMROCKS HAVE crashed out of the Kilkenny SHC following a narrow quarter-final defeat to Thomastown who were crowned All-Ireland intermediate champions earlier this year.

A Colin Fennelly goal could not save the nine-time All-Ireland champions Ballyhale, as Thomastown march on.

Thomastown held a two-point lead at the break as goalkeeper Diarmuid Galway produced a mighty save in the 14th minute to deny Adrian Mullen.

Four points from Robbie Donnelly and one from Colm Treacy pushed Thomastown into a seven-point advantage in the second half before Fennelly’s goal arrived to revive Ballyhale.

They reduced the gap to one point with seven minutes of normal time remaining but Donnelly responded with the insurance points to help Thomastown to victory.

Bennettsbridge prospered in the other quarter-final taking place today, needing extra-time to progress to the semi-finals with a six-point win over Tullaroan. Jack Campion scored a vital goal for Bennettsbridge to send the game to extra-time where they struck for a second goal on the way to the final four of the competition.

In the Galway SHC, St Thomas continued their seven-in-a-row drive with a dominant victory over Craughwell in the preliminary quarter-final.

The challengers were just one point adrift at half-time but the defending All-Ireland champions moved up the gears in the second half, building up a five-point lead before Craughwell found the net through Dean Callanan.

Advertisement

St Thomas’ could not be undone however, as Éanna Burke and Darragh Burke both raised green flags to give Craughwell no way back.

There was quarter-final action in the Galway SFC too, as Salthill-Knocknacarra and last year’s finalists Maigh Cuilinn both advanced following victories over Dunmore-McHales and Oughterard respectively.

Cian Brady scored a late point to see Abbeylara past Killoe in the Longford SFC semi-final as Ballaghaderreen booked their place in the Mayo SFC semi-finals thanks to goals from Kuba Callaghan and David McBrien to see them get the better of Ballintubber.

Kilkenny SHC Quarter-Final

Thomastown 0-21 Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-16

Tullaroan 1-23 Bennettsbridge 2-26

Donegal SFC semi-final

Gaoth Dobhair v St Eunan’s, 7.30pm

Down SFC Semi-Final

Kilcoo v Glenn, 6.30pm 

Galway SFC quarter-final

Maigh Cuilinn 1-14 Oughterard 0-10

Salthill-Knocknacarra 0-12 Dunmore MacHales 0-7

Galway SHC Preliminary Quarter-Final

St Thomas’ 2-21 Craughwell 1-13

Longford SFC Semi-Final

Killoe 0-9 Abbeylara 0-10

Mayo SFC Quarter-Final

Ballaghaderreen 2-8 Ballintubber 0-8

Garrymore v Knockmore, 8pm

Tyrone SFC Quarter-Final

Errigal Ciaran v Clonoe, 7pm