Leinster final berth awaits Sunday’s winners
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
AIB Leinster Club SHC Semi Final
UPMC Nowlan Park, Sunday 1:30pm
Shamrocks Ballyhale vs Clough-Ballacolla
UPMC Nowlan Park is the venue for the semi-final clash between Kilkenny kingpins Shamrocks Ballyhale and Laois champions Clough-Ballacolla this Sunday (Throw-in 1:30pm). Both sides know that securing victory this weekend will see them run out at Croke Park to contest this season’s provincial final, but for now, neither club will be looking beyond Sunday’s battle on Noreside.
These two foes clashed in the Leinster decider in 2021, where the O’Moore County side were blown away by a Shamrocks team that had eyes on a bigger prize that season. That was Clough-Ballacolla’s first appearance in the provincial final and manager Willie Hyland will hope that his outfit will give a better account of themselves in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday. The Tinnaragh based side have been regular participants in the Leinster competition and secured a fifth county title in six years when they defeated Camross at Laois Hire O’Moore Park by 6 points in the final last month.
In the group stages of the Laois Shopping Centre Senior Hurling Championship, Hyland’s charges chalked up three wins, with victories over Castletown, Borris In Ossory Kilcotton and The Harps, while they came up short against eventual finalists; Camross GAA Club and Rathdowney Errill. Having topped their group following that vital win over The Harps, Clough-Ballacolla were inactive for a month, before taking to the field against Ballinakill in the first of the Laois senior semifinal double bill at Laois Hire O’Moore Park. Cha Dwyer had inspired his side to a halftime lead, but the accuracy of Stephen Bergin saw the holders gain parity and see the game go to extra time. It was here that the experience of Hyland’s men showed and they would outscore their opponents 1-9 to 0-3 in that period to reach another county final.
Their 7-point defeat to Camross would be avenged on county final day, and Clough-Ballacolla picked a good time to put in their best performance of the season to date to notch their thirteenth Bob O’Keefe Cup to cement their dominance in the O’Moore County. Star of the show for much of the campaign to date and in the county final itself was Stephen Bergin, who hit an eye-catching 1-13 to help his side to that 5th title in six years. The attacking star has had to shoulder more responsibility in the absence of the legendary Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher; and he has shone in the limelight. His county final tally had 0-9 from placed balls and an impressive 1-4 from play as Camross were put to the sword. As his manager alluded to after the county final win,” Steve is one of the cleverest players I’ve ever played with or managed. He’s an absolute assassin. He’s some man to get a goal”. Bergin has had plenty of support round him this season in the Clough-Ballacolla attack, including the evergreen Willie Dunphy, who like Bergin, has caused many problems for opposition defences. The bustling full forward raised a green flag in the decider and notched 1-1 in the extra time win over Ballinakill and collected his eighth winners medal in eleven county final appearances, including replays. Two others that have been ticking along nicely for the Laois side are Jordan Walshe and Cillian Dunne, the former hitting 0-3 in the win over Camross, while Dunne hit 1-8 in their semifinal victory.
Captain and midfield general Aidan Corby has been a regular fixture for both club and county for years. His driving presence has been key to Clough-Ballacolla’s dominance over the past number of seasons. His partnership with Cormac Hogan in the engine room won’t have gone unnoticed by the Shamrocks management team, and Ronan Corcoran and Eoin Kenneally will need to be ready for a battle in the middle third. This is an area of the pitch where Henry’s charges have fared quite well this season, and he will look for his side to win this battle and allow those ahead to ply their trade. Lee Cleere at centre back will look to anchor his sides defence while also troubling the scoreboard, should the opportunity present itself. Darren Maher will be minding the square and will have Diarmaid Conway and Joe Pearson flanking him; the latter did a brilliant job shackling Tomas (Mossy) Keyes in the final. Behind the defence is a talented netminder in the shape of Cathal Dunne, who was rightly recognised for his performances at intercounty level, with a spot on the McDonagh Cup team of the year. Wing back, Diarmaid Conway is another who received the same accolade, and he will relish his battles with a dangerous Shamrocks attacking unit.
Henry Shefflin, like his counterpart, will have been assessing the walking wounded and devising a plan for tackling the Laois sides’ challenge. Having secured a 21st county title with a superb win against O’Loughlin’s, the south Kilkenny side entertained Offaly champions, Kilcormac Killoughey in the Leinster quarter final clash where they put in a magnificent second half performance to earn a last four berth. Before the ugly scenes following the final whistle that marred the entertaining encounter, Adrian Mullen took a rather nasty belt from Offaly player Charlie Mitchell. the incident resulted in a broken thumb for the flame-haired stickman. It is believed that subsequently, Mullen has undergone surgery and is likely to miss at least the remainder of the provincial campaign.
Mullen’s absence would be a huge blow to Shamrocks, as he was beginning to find his rhythm, following an injury plagued 2025. More responsibility will fall on the shoulders of TJ Reid and Eoin Cody in the attacking third, while Niall Shortall has looked lively during this club season. It will be interesting to see if Darragh Corcoran has shaken off the issue that saw the dynamic half-back miss the win over the Faithful County side. Darragh brings so much to this Shamrocks side and Henry will hope that he is available come Sunday.
Eoin Cody was rightly given the POTM award following his outstanding performance over Kilcormac Killoughey, not only did the former 2-time young hurler of the year notch 0-5, but his all-action non-stop work ethic and exceptional ball-winning provided the platform for his side to get the victory and progress to the Leinster semifinal stage. The Noresiders also had a faultless display including his placed ball accuracy from TJ, alongside hard-working shifts from Liam Barron and Niall Shortall. Paddy Mullen also battled well and chipped in with 2 points, and his physical presence will be required against Sunday’s visitors. The Holden Plant Rentals sponsored side hit ten wide’s across the 60 add minutes in the provincial last eight clash, only three of these coming after the short whistle as Henry’s troops were much more clinical.
Experienced defensive duo, Joey Holden and Richie Reid have both been in great form since the summer and will have key roles again when Clough-Ballacolla roll into town this weekend. Evan Shefflin should be a little fitter and sharper having had the last fortnight to get himself right, while Killian Corcoran is reveling at corner back and making the jersey his own. The expected battle between Joey and Willie Dunphy promises to be a cracker. The calmness of Dean Mason will be key as the netminder looks to stand tall in goal and minimise the need for green flag raising, also his restarts will help Shamrocks get on the front foot.
The aim for Shamrocks will be to get over the line on familiar soil this weekend and then see what might lie await in the form of a provincial final appearance against the winners of St Martin’s (Wexford) and Naas (Kildare) who will face off in Chadwicks Wexford Park at the same time on Sunday. Ádh mór to all at the Shamrocks.
Clough-Ballacolla – Road to AIB Leinster Club SHC Semi-Final
Laois Shopping Centre Senior Hurling Championship Group Stage
Clough Ballacolla 1-24 Castletown 1-14
Clough Ballacolla 0-21 Borris In Ossory Kilcotton 0-16
Clough Ballacolla 0-18 Camross GAA Club 2-19
Clough Ballacolla 1-15 Rathdowney Errill 1-20
Clough Ballacolla 1-20 The Harps 3-12
Laois Shopping Centre Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final
Clough Ballacolla 3-23 Baile na Coille CLG 0-23
Laois Shopping Centre Senior Hurling Championship Final
Clough Ballacolla 2-21 Camross GAA Club
AIB AIB Leinster Club SHC 25 Quarter-Final
Clough Ballacolla 2-16 Castletown Geoghegan 0-20
- Noreside’s two other county champions are also in action this weekend. Saturday sees intermediate winners Danesfort take on Dublin champions Commercials in UPMC Nowlan Park, while junior winners Barrow Rangers will tackle Davidstown Courtnacuddy of Wexford in Castlecomer. Both games throw in at 1:30pm. We wish both sides well as they continue their provincial campaigns.
- Comhghairdeas to the Dicksboro camogs who lifted the Leinster Senior Camogie crown with a 1-point victoryover Oulart The Ballagh, Ciara Phelan with the winning point for the Palmerstown outfit. Thoroughly deserved ladies!
