Final berth’s up for grabs on Sunday
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship 2026
Sunday will see the four remaining teams in the 2026 St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship take to the field, bidding to reach the Tom Walsh Cup decider. The double-header at UPMC Nowlan Park promises much and given the quality hurling and drama that Gaels on Noreside have been treated to during this year’s campaign, there is no reason not to expect more of the same at Kilkenny headquarters this weekend. The last two teams to be crowned county champions, Shamrocks Ballyhale and Thomastown will be in action, alongside the second most successful side in the competition’s history; Tullaroan with 2018 runners-up Bennettsbridge making up the quartet.
Bennettsbridge vs Tullaroan
First up at 2pm is the meeting between Bennettsbridge and Tullaroan. It may be something of a surprise that Brian Lannon’s side have made the last four, but the green and yellow hooped side appear to have put a disappointing league campaign firmly behind them to reach the penultimate step in the chase for the big prize. Having retained their seat at the top table for another season, the ‘Bridge have played with a little more freedom, and this has helped them progress. Picking up a win over Thomastown when nothing was on the line, Lannon’s men faced off against Danesfort in a relegation semifinal / first round championship clash at Sunday’s venue. With the Blanchfield’s leading the way, they took the lead early doors and never relinquished it. Nicky Cleere top scored for the ‘Bridge that day, with Sean Morrissey contributing three lovely points to his sides total as they ran out convincing 9-point winners. The reward for downing Danesfort was quarter final clash with one of this season’s most impressive sides, Graigue Ballycallan. The last eight encounter was one of the few times that the Tom Ryall Park men failed to really fire, Aaron McEvoy only had four others for company on the scoresheet, while Brian Lannon’s charges had eleven scorers. Eoin Walpole caught the eye in UPMC Nowlan Park, while once again, the Blanchfield brothers brought the required physicality to outmuscle GBC.
There has been a real spring in the step of Tullaroan this season, and having Dave Mulcahy at the helm has certainly been a huge factor in turning the Sash into genuine Tom Walsh contenders in 2026. Present intercounty star Mossy Keoghan is one important cog in the Tullaroan machine, but it’s one of the former greats, Padraig Walsh, that is a real driving force, controlling things from ‘6’. This pair of former All-Stars have plenty of quality stickmen around them, and this has enabled the twenty-time champions to thrive and become a seriously dangerous opponent on Noreside. Dylan Simpson has been in tremendous form this season and is the top scorer for the Sash. Throw Gearoid Dunne, Shane Walsh and the returning Tommy Walsh into the mix, and this team is beginning to purr. Tullaroan netminder, Niall Holland is a big presence in the defensive set up, and has notched eight points this season, and you wouldn’t bet against him adding to this tally on Sunday. How the Bridge deals with Mossy Keoghan, Gearoid Dunne and the other Sash attacking threats, will go a long way to deciding this game while Liam Blanchfield’s battle with Tomas Dunne promises to be one for the ages; there will be no quarter given here.
Shamrocks Ballyhale vs Thomastown
The last two teams to lift the Tom Walsh Cup will do battle for a second time this season, in part two of Sunday’s double header. Scheduled for a 4pm throw-in, Mark Aylward’s Shamrocks side will look to secure a repeat result when they meet Noel Doherty’s Thomastown. When the sides contested the league final three weeks ago, there was only the bare minimum between them when Richie Holland sounded the long whistle. There was plenty of bite in this game, and you sensed that both teams really wanted to win and take that momentum into the knockout campaign.
As mentioned in previous editions, the Páirc na Seamróg side came out of the blocks quickly in the league, something that they are not renowned for and the Holden Plant Rental’s sponsored side reeled off four wins on the bounce, before losing out on the final day to Danesfort, when they fielded a much-changed side. With their intercounty stars having finished up with the Cats much earlier than anticipated this summer, the likes of TJ Reid, Eoin Cody and Darragh Corcoran have looked very fresh during the club season to date. While the aforementioned trio has been in good nick, it’s been Niall Shortall that has really impressed for Shamrocks. The livewire forward looks to have blossomed nicely and is playing with an air of confidence that is pleasing to see, something that could be beneficial to Henry come national league time.
One of the most influential players for Aylward’s team this season has been Brian Cody. The versatile stickman is a quality hurler and has got through a mountain of work, while also notching some lovely scores. We could see a half-ward line of Cody’s Brian and Eoin alongside the classy Adrian Mullen, who has been nursed back from a horrible period of injuries line out against Thomastown. In the engine room, it will likely be Ronan Corcoran and Richie Reid. This has been a decent pairing for the Shamrocks during the summer, and the duo should get the nod on Sunday. The halfback axis for the holders is a huge strength and an area that provides both defensive and offensive attributes. With Darragh Corcoran anchoring, he should be flanked by Evan Shefflin and Killian Corcoran, and there are scores in this line. The experienced Joey Holden minds the square and this has been a great help in Killian Ryan’s development at corner back. Both these players know that they will be in for a battle this weekend, and having Dean Mason behind them will give them plenty of confidence.
Thomastown’s challenge to their more illustrious opponents will be spearheaded Clan Donnelly once more. Eddie captains the side from centre-back, while we could see a talented and determined line of Robbie, John and Stephen provide much impetus to Noel Doherty’s team. Robbie has kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Grennan based side and has proved exceptionally reliable from the placed ball. The form of Luke Connellan and Daithi Barron in the inside line has been pleasing to see, pace, strength and finishing all qualities in equal measure. These two players contributed 2-6 in their quarter final win over Clara, while the Donnelly’s registered 0-14 between them. Peter McDonald and Ben Nevin’s emergence as midfield combination gives their side a decent platform, which John Donnelly will harness as he seeks to knit it all together. Both midfielders are not shy about pulling the trigger from distance and will look to continue raising white flags on Sunday.
Like Sunday’s opponents, Thomastown has a formidable half back line that works both ways. As mentioned, Eddie Donnelly will sit in the ‘6’ role, while Brian Staunton and possibly Zack Bay Hammond will provide the thrust on the flanks. Goalkeeper Diarmuid Galway is likely to have a pair of Connellan’s and Ned Kirwan in front of him. The development of Peter Connellan in the number 3 jersey has been a real bonus for Doherty’s outfit. Will this player pick up TJ, should he move to the edge of the square? I’m not so sure, that could be a job for Ned or even captain, Eddie Donnelly. There is nothing to suggest that either side will run away with this one, and that could see the impact from the benches being vital. This could be advantage Shamrocks Ballyhale, but either way, Sunday’s clash promises much and hopefully Gaels across Noreside will be treated to two fascinating encounters at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday. A Tullaroan vs Shamrocks Ballyhale final anyone?
