Ballyhale book Leinster final spot but made to sweat by Clough Ballacolla

Ballyhale will play St Martin's of Wexford in the Leinster Club SHC final

Niall Shortall of Shamrocks Ballyhale on his way to scores his side's first goal despite the efforts of Joseph Pearson of Clough Ballacolla during the Leinster Club SHC semi-final. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Leinster Club SHC semi-final: Shamrocks Ballyhale (Kilkenny) 1-18 Clough Ballacolla (Laois) 1-15 

A late spurt of three points on the spin was enough for Shamrocks Ballyhale to battle their way past a spirited Clough Ballacolla in the Leinster SHC Semi-Final at UPMC Nowlan Park.

The final points from Darragh Corcoran, TJ Reid and Eoin Cody was enough to steer Henry Shefflin’s team home on the right side of the result but they were certainly made to sweat.

With Willie Dunphy chipping in with four points from play and Cillian Dunne and Aidan Corby producing big displays, the shock result was definitely on till the experience of their opponents got them over the line in stoppage time.

With a Leinster final to come against St Martin’s of Wexford, the Shamrocks will know they will need to up it a few levels if they are to win a first provincial crown since 2022.

All looked to be on track for the Kilkenny outfit when they led 0-4 to 0-1 inside the opening 10 minutes but Ballacolla fought for every loose ball and that tigerish attitude served them well when Lochlainn Conway found the net to give the Laois team the lead for the first time.

Stephen Bergin then added on a pair of frees to leave Willie Hyland’s team ahead on a 1-4 to 0-5 scoreline but like they tend to do, the Shamrocks are able to get goals at vital times and when Niall Shortall netted in the 17th minute, it sparked a purple patch that saw Ronan Corcoran and TJ Reid convert two points apiece.

Points in response from Cillian Dunne and Willie Dunphy kept Ballacolla competitive though Shamrocks still remained in control with Reid and Eoin Kenneally on target before the end of the half.

The second half was a slow-burner with only four points in the opening 20 minutes as Shamrocks struggled to make their mark on the opposition with a TJ Reid free their only score in that period.

Points from Stephen Bergin and Aidan Corby kept the visitors ticking away and even though TJ and Eoin Cody extended their tallies, there was still only a puck of the ball between the teams going down the stretch.

Clough Ballacolla put in extra effort at this point and when successive scores from Willie Dunphy with two brilliant efforts and Aidan Corby levelled up matters, there was hope for a huge upset.

Willie Dunphy had a chance in the next attack to put his team in front but his tame wide was followed by Shamrocks showing their class in attack as they did enough to book their place in the final on Saturday week.

Scorers for Shamrocks Ballyhale: TJ Reid 0-10 (9fs and 1 '65); N Shortall 1-0; E Cody, R Corcoran 0-2 each; D Corcoran, B Cody, E Shefflin, E Kenneally 0-1 each 

Scorers for Clough Ballacolla: S Bergin 0-6 (6fs); W Dunphy 0-4; L Conway 1-0; A Corby, K Dunne 0-2 each; L Cleere 0-1 Shamrocks 

BALLYHALE SHAMROCK: D Mason; K Corcoran, J Holden, B Butler; E Kenneally, R Reid, D Corcoran; E Shefflin, R Corcoran; J Fitzpatrick, E Cody, TJ Reid; L Barron, B Cody, N Shortall.

Subs: D Mason for Butler (h-t); F Shefflin for Fitzpatrick (42); C Phelan for Barron (63).

CLOUGH BALLACOLLA: C Dunne; J Pearson, D Maher, D Conway; L Conway, L Cleere, C Hogan; A Corby, K Mulhall; M Hennessy, J Walshe, R Phelan; C Dunne, W Dunphy. S Bergin.

Subs: S Maher for L.Conway (49); J Corby for Mulhall (54); P Brennan for Phelan (56).

Referee: C Flynn (Westmeath)