'That's just TJ' - Ballyhale boss hails Reid's class in win over Harps
TJ Reid of Shamrocks Ballyhale celebrates after scoring his side's first goal from a penalty in Portlaoise. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile
Ballyhale Shamrocks manager Mark Aylward hailed the vision of TJ Reid as he was involved in all three of his side’s 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.
His pass over his shoulder to Corcoran for Shamrocks’ second goal was as deft as it was precise and the stand in Laois Hire O’Moore Park oohed in appreciation.
"Not many lads would even see that,” said Aylward. “Darragh didn't even have to break stride, it was in his path. That's just TJ. That's the calibre he is and everyone knows that."
Reid looked every bit an inter-county player, winning the penalty he converted to the net and initiating Cody’s goal with a catch. “TJ made his decision and fair play to the man, he's in great condition,” said Aylward.
“Inter-county is a different ball game too. TJ knows his body better than anyone and personally I'd be hoping he'll play for the club for the next four or five years. If he keeps hurling like that, that's the way we want him."
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 had been 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 on 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 with a torn hamstring 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 to set Darragh Corcoran free 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 from teenager Delaney in additional time, which was swiftly followed by an Eoin Cody point, summed up a frustrating half.
The Harps manager Ken Hogan knows the game will stand to his callow team after a first senior county title last month. “We finished up scoring 1-16, which was probably our lowest score of the year. But overall we just created those opportunities early on.
“We needed to put doubts in Ballyhale lads’ minds by maybe scoring a green flag, rattling the boys in a sense. But that comes down to experience – we’d nine or 10 U20 guys out there today.
“We know Ballyhale Shamrocks finished the better team, the stronger team, but hugely proud of the lads because it’s a learning curve for them in a big way.
“We’ve had a great year, huge belief in what we’re doing. We came from nowhere to win that county championship, and just delighted that we did represent Laois proudly today.” As for Shamrocks, a semi-final against Kilmacud Crokes awaits in a couple of weeks. Another step towards making amends for last December’s provincial final loss to St Martin’s.
“There is a motivation there to try and get back to a Leinster final,” says Aylward. “We have that chance now. We have a game in Nowlan Park to get back there. They're hurting and that's the way I want them.”
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).
: 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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