TJ Reid leads the way for Ballyhale Shamrocks
SPOT ON: Shamrock Ballyhale's TJ Reid prepares to take a penalty. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Life after Kilkenny began brightly for TJ Reid as he was involved in all three of Ballyhale Shamrocks’ goals in this Leinster senior club quarter-final win over The Harps in Portlaoise.
Just over a week after his inter-county retirement, Reid posted 1-8 but his pawprints were all over Darragh Corcoran and Brian Cody’s goals in a satisfying victory over the Laois winners.
A Mark Downey goal eight minutes into the second half had prompted a comeback by The Harps. They added points to come within three points of Shamrocks only for the Kilkenny champions to once more step up a gear.
Reid’s catch and pass to Eoin Cody was key to Brian Cody restoring Shamrocks’ six-point cushion in the 42nd minute. More points from Brian Cody and Ronan Corcoran followed by one from Reid extended the difference to nine points by the 52nd minute.
In general play, The Harps were the sharper team in the opening quarter. Podge Delaney was commanding at centre-back and some of their passing was slick.
The problem was they couldn’t convert it to the scoreboard and they trailed 0-7 to 2-6 at half-time. They failed to convert nine first-half scoring opportunities, four wides, four shots that dropped short and a Dean Mason save from a tame Eoin Delaney strike.
Leaving full-back Cody Comerford isolated on TJ Reid was a gamble but for the opening stages little came off that apparent advantage for Shamrocks. Thy did lead 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes and after Evan Shefflin was forced off injured Cody Comerford had to have his wits about him to deny Brian Cody a goal but there were more scoring chances at the Shamrocks’ end of the field.
Three scores on the trot put The Harps a point ahead in the 16th minute and a third Ciarán Comerford free restored the lead two minutes later after Shortall hit back with a point.
But in three minutes Shamrocks demonstrated their power. Reid caught an Eoin Cody delivery and Comerford brought him down and was booked. Reid’s 20th minute penalty strike was true and fierce.
After Killian Corcoran and Jake Mullen found their range, Reid showed the subtlety in his game with a sublime pass over his shoulder to set Darragh Corcoran free on goal for a second goal.
The seven-point turnaround had The Harps shocked although a couple of Comerford frees either side of a Reid placed ball provided some balm. Mason’s denial of Delaney in additional time, which was swiftly followed by an Eoin Cody point, summed up a frustrating half.
Scorers for The Harps: C. Comerford (0-6, 5 frees); M. Downey (1-0); R. Deegan (0-3); E. Murphy (1 65), Justin Duggan (0-2 each); E. Delaney, James Duggan, J. Brophy (0-1 each).
Scorers for Ballyhale Shamrocks: T.J. Reid (1-8, 1-0 pen, 0-6 frees); B. Cody (1-3); D. Corcoran (1-0); E. Cody, N. Shortall, R. Corcoran (0-2 each); K. Corcoran, J. Mullen (0-1 each).
B. Murphy; E. Doheny, C. Comerford, J. Kennedy; E. Murphy, P. Delaney, C. Flynn; R. Edwards, P. Dunne (c); R. Deegan, C. Comerford, M. Downey; E. Delaney, James Duggan, Justin Duggan.
Subs for The Harps: J. Brophy for E. Delaney (39); T. Doheny for R. Edwards (51); D. Deegan for C. Flynn (55); C. Murphy for Justin Duggan, D. Comerford for M. Downey (both 57).
: D. Mason; K. Corcoran, K. Ryan, J. Holden (c); E. Shefflin, D. Corcoran, R. Reid R. Corcoran, L. Barron; B. Cody, E. Cody, A. Mullen; J. Mullen, T.J. Reid, N. Shortall.
Subs for Ballyhale Shamrocks: B. Butler for E. Shefflin (inj 6); C. Coogan for L. Barron (38); M. Barron for J. Mullen (53); J. Fitzpatrick for B. Cody, L. Cody for R Corcoran (both 57).
: A. Kinahan (Offaly).
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