Reid: outside experts boosted Ballyhale

KILKENNY captain and Ballyhale Shamrocks star TJ Reid revealed the All-Ireland finalists relied on outside advice ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland club semi-final win over Newtownshandrum.

The Kilkenny side counteracted Newtown’s famous running game to come out with a two-point win, and Reid paid tribute to Shamrocks’ management for bringing in other coaches to discuss Newtown’s style.

“They watched DVDs of Newtown — you’d have to with the one-twos and overlapping style of play they use,” said Reid. “We got people in to talk about them, people who’ve managed against them, and we tried some things in training, a few game plans, to suss it out. We were delighted it worked.”