Shamrocks taken to the limit by “The Village”

Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-14 James Stephens 1-11

Ballyhale Shamrocks captured their fourth Kilkenny SHC title in succession at a packed Nowlan Park this afternoon.

In one of the closest Kilkenny finals in recent years, this game was nip and tuck throughout with the Reid brothers, TJ and Eoin, leading by example for Shamrocks.

Man-of-the-match TJ finished with six points from play, while Eoin finished with a 1-3 tally from his full-forward berth.

It was ultimately James Stephens' failure to take their scoring chances, particularly from close range, which cost them dearly.

Nine-time All-Star Henry Shefflin may have had an off game, but with the Reids to the fore the Ballyhale supporters need not have worried about the final result.

Defensively, Shamrocks were sublime and they got the better of a James Stephens attack that saw the likes of Eoin Larkin constantly going in search of scores.

Larkin and defender Jackie Tyrrell tried hard in the closing stages but to no avail, with a last-gasp effort from Donnacha Cody dropping short and Shamrocks clearing their lines.

In a sporting and competitive encounter, James Stephens carved out plenty of scoring opportunities in the opening half.

However, their failure to put away scores from dead-ball situations during this period dented their hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time since 2005.

Philly Larkin and Tyrrell held their own in the James Stephens defence throughout.

However, TJ and Eoin Reid caused plenty of problems, with Eoin's move to right half-forward for a spell paying off as he broke through for his side's only goal.

James Stephens rallied on the restart with a James McCormack goal as the game entered the final quarter. They backed that up with four points from McCormack and Matt Ruth to tie the game at 1-9 apiece.

Ballyhale replied with a brace of TJ Reid points to go two ahead, and goalkeeper Derek Brennan kept the Village in the game at crucial moments in the second half with a string of superb saves.

Scores from Larkin and a second of the day from substitute David Walton squared things up at 1-11 apiece, with time running out.

But three late points by Shefflin, TJ Reid and Colin Fennelly saw Shamrocks retain their crown.

After the game, Ballyhale captain Eamonn Walsh accepted the cup on behalf of his side. Shamrocks will take on Wexford champions Oulart the Ballagh next weekend in a mouth-watering Leinster Club Championship quarter-final.