Aylward’s men look hungry for success in Sash victory
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League
Round 3
Shamrocks Ballyhale 2-26
Tullaroan 1-20
John Locke Park played host to the top two sides in Group B of the 2026 St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League last Saturday afternoon as Shamrocks Ballyhale locked horns with Tullaroan. With both teams two from two, something was bound to give in Callan, and it would be Mark Aylward’s men that maintained their 100% start to this season’s campaign, running out 9-point winners. Having gone goal crazy a week earlier, the South Kilkenny side only raised two green flags in this victory, but veteran TJ Reid rolled back the years and delivered a supreme performance, while a return to action for Adrain Mullen was a welcome boost for club and county.
Indeed, it was the legendary stickman that got the scoreboard moving in Callan, converting his first placed ball effort of the day following a foul on Jake Mullen. The youngest of Clan Mullen, then fired over a tidy score as his side went two up after four minutes of the round 3 clash. Tullaroan got off the mark thanks to a free from Mossy Keoghan a minute later. Having been the main protagonist in the win over O’Loughlin Gaels, Niall Shortall fired over a point, coming off TJ’s shoulder and collecting the ball nicely. Former intercounty star Padraig Walsh then sent over a cracking score, reminding everyone of his quality when coming from deep. The next score was warmly received by the Shamrocks supporters in attendance. The ball broke and Adrian Mullen ran onto it before splitting the posts with his effort, welcome back Adrian.
The was a break in play as Conor Phelan received some medical attention, but unfortunately for him, he couldn’t continue and was replaced by Michael Barron for the second game running. When play resumed, the next score was a classy one, Darragh Corcoran firing over from halfway. The Shamrocks lead was then extended to four points, thanks to TJ taking a catch before turning onto his left and striking over. Tullaroan’s main man in the scoring stakes so far this season, Dylan Simpson then sent over a lovely score, and from the restart The Sash won the ball and with a couple of passes, the sliotar was moved to Simpson, result, another score for Dave Mulcahy’s charges. The next two scores came from the Shamrocks. TJ again, took the catch, dummied on his left and fired over. Then Adrian Mullen collected possession and struck over from a tight angle.
Tullaroan then almost raised a green flag at the midway point of the first half. Mossy Keoghan looked set to score, but Dean Mason was more than equal to it, but the ball rebounded to Gearoid Dunne who popped it over. Aother score followed, a second of the contest for Padraig Walsh, the gap down to just 2 points. The busy Brian Cody then got his first of the game following some lovely play from Joey Holden and Evan Shefflin. From the puckout, Gearoid Dunne got on the ball and gave a good pass to Mossy, who notched his second of the afternoon. Another of Shamrocks grafters, Liam Barron was found by Cody and took a nice score with about ten minutes of the half remaining. Liam, the scorer, became Liam the assister as he found Jake Mullen who pivoted beautifully to his left before striking over.
Now four points down again, The Sash hit two on the bounce, both from the inform Dylan Simpson, firstly a placed ball effort then a lovely one off his left side. Brian Cody responded for his side after nice play from Darragh Corcoran and Richie Reid. The next score was a great one, Bill Gaffney rifling over from midfield to the delight of his side’s supporters in Callan. Niall Shortall then showed his worth, taking a decent hit from a defender before composing himself to score. Fresh from his 5-point haul last time out, Tullaroan keeper Niall Holland then struck over from some 100 yards out, but the last point of an entertaining half came from Adrian Mullen, who was set up nicely by younger brother Jake to leave Mark Aylward’s side four ahead at the interval.
The second period was barely 2 minutes old when the first goal of the game arrived. Tomas Dunne fouled TJ and referee Julian O’Dwyer awarded a free. TJ as per usual stood over the placed ball, about 20 yards out, but just when everyone was marking down a point for Reid, TJ surprised many and struck a fierce shot to the Tullaroan net. Shamrocks seven up, and this was about to be eight, as Richie Reid dispatched a lovely effort between The Sash posts. A response was needed, and it came immediately from Dylan Simpson who was played in, and despite the angle being tight, the sharpshooter rifled his effort past Dean Mason. From the puckout, John Walton took possession and struck over a wonderful point. Another ball into the danger zone from Shamrocks resulted in Tomas Dunne fouling TJ once more; TJ popped over the free and that was the cue for a change in marker for the legendary Reid. Tommy Walsh, back from a horrible cruciate injury, took up the thankless task while Tomas Dunne moved onto Adrian Mullen.
The more attacking of the Dunne brothers, Gearoid then popped over a point from the edge of the ‘D’, but again the opposition got the next score, A third of the day for Adrian Mullen who flicked the sliotar past his man before striking over. Mossy Keoghan then set up Peter Walsh whose effort reduced the arrears to four once more, but the Shamrocks hit the next two points, Ronan Corcoran and Brian Cody the scorers. Adrian Mullen was then replaced by Eoin Cody, a good 40 minutes under the belt of the former All-Star who will be a huge asset to his club for the remainder of the campaign. Dylan Simpson continued his crusade and added another point to his tally while Niall Shortall set up Jake Mullan for a quality score. TJ Reid then hit a trio of scores, a ‘65 and two frees following fouls on the lively Shortall.
Jake Mullen was then replaced and was given a fine reception by the Shamrocks faithful. Tullaroan, with an 8-point deficit needed goals, but it was points that came, three on the spin with efforts from Dylan Simpson, Peter Walsh and Mossy Keoghan all on target as the gap was reduced to five with about 2 minutes of normal time remaining in John Locke Park. Shamrocks hardest working player on the day, Brian Cody then fired over another score and Shortall followed suit with his last point of the game, the only response from The Sash was again a point from Dylan Simpson. With six points separating the sides with the contest in injury time, the icing was put on the cake when Richie Reid’s searching delivery was flicked on by brother TJ and Niall Shortall blasted bast Niall Holland for his sides second goal. Game, set and match to Shamrocks Ballyhale. Final Score: Shamrocks 2-26, Tullaroan 1-20
