Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-18
Waterford Institute of Technology 1-17

This was an interesting challenge match played under the floodlights at Mooncoin last Thursday. The line ups from both teams were very strong with the Kilkenny county champions at near full strength, while WIT had a few missing players. The tempo and speed of this game was truly amazing with both sides playing an enterprising brand of hurling using the whole field throughout the hour. The exchanges were tough throughout with no quarter asked or given between both parties.

The Shamrocks set the early pace with some nice scores from T.J. Reid, Shefflin and Aidan Cummins striding forward from centre back to put one over. At the other end Ray McLoughney was in good form particularly from place balls. Eoin Reid’s early goal following a mistake in defence was cancelled out by McLoughney who fired a 21 metre free to the net. The Shamrocks lead 1-10 to 1-8 at half time.
The climatic conditions continued to worsen as the temperature dropped however between the white lines the intensity of the contest never cooled down. The rate at which the scores flowed was incredible and in the end the Shamrocks came out on top in an entertaining contest.

The victors will be happy to have got a good run out prior to their All Ireland semi final with Toomevara. Their team work and hurling were of a high standard while the competed for every ball ferociously. They were short Michael Fennelly and Mark Alyward however Michael Dermody and David Hoyne were able deputies for the missing pair.

The students will take heart from this result having been comprehensively beaten by Tipperary the previous Sunday. The clash of John Dalton and Shefflin was competitive throughout with the Carrickshock man holding his own. Elsewhere P.J. Delaney was sound at full back with the other defenders quietly and effectively going about their jobs. The lacked some cutting edge in an attack minus stars such as John Mullane, Willie Ryan and Eoin Reid who lined out for the opposition. Colm Bonner will have been pleased with this workout as a stepping stone towards the Fitzgibbon Cup

Scorers
Ballyhale: H. Shefflin (0-6 4f); J. “Cha” Fitzpatrick; T.J. Reid (0-3 each); E. Reid (1-1);
D. Hoyne (0-2); A. Cummins; E. Fitzpatrick; P. Reid (0-1 each)
WIT: R. McLoughney (1-6 1-4fs); D. Hoctor; A. Cullinane; P. Hartley (0-2 each);
L. Lawlor; G. Nolan; H. Moloney (0-1 each); J. Dalton (0-1f)

Teams
Ballyhale: J. Connolly; P. Shefflin; E. Walsh; P. Holden; K. Nolan; A. Cummins;
B. Alyward; J “Cha” Fitzpatrick; M. Dermody; E. Fitzpatrick; H. Shefflin; T.J. Reid;
D. Hoyne; P. Reid; E. Reid. Subs: G. Fennelly.
WIT: D. Young (Tipp); C. O’Brien (Tipp); P.J. Delaney (KK); K. Lanigan (Tipp);
K. Brady (OY); J. Dalton (KK); H. Moloney (Tipp); D. Hoctor (OY); C. Parlon (OY);
A. Cullinane (GY); P. Hartley (KK); G. Nolan (KK); R. McLoughney (Tipp);
L. Lawlor (WD); T. Maloney (KK). Subs: D. Lucey (Tipp); J. O’Farrell (WD)

Referee:P.Dunphy (Carigeen)