Ballyhale gain revenge on Ballygunner to reach decider

Ballyhale Shamrocks gained revenge on Ballygunner in a pulsating AIB All-Ireland club semi final at Croke Park.

There was no repeat of last year's final heroics as the motivated Kilkenny men ground out victory in the second half.

TJ Reid once again stood up for Ballyhale especially in the dominant second period.

Having missed an earlier penalty, Reid ended the Waterford's side's reign with a successful penalty minutes later.

That decisive blow would prove the difference in the finish and truly savoured at the final whistle for the Leinster dynamos.

Ballygunner: Stephen O'Keeffe; Ian Kenny, Barry Coughlan, Tadhg Foley; Shane O’Sullivan, Philip Mahony, Ronan Power (0-01); Conor Sheahan (0-01), Paddy Leavy; Peter Hogan, Pauric Mahony (0-06, 0-04f), Mikey Mahony (0-01); Patrick Fitzgerald (0-02), Dessie Hutchinson (0-04), Kevin Mahony (0-01).

Subs: Billy O’Keeffe for M Mahony (49), Harry Ruddle for Fitzgerald (55).

Ballyhale Shamrocks: Dean Mason; Killian Corcoran, Darren Mullen, Joey Holden; Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Ronan Corcoran (0-01), Paddy Mullen (0-01); Adrian Mullen (0-01), TJ Reid (1-08, 1-00pen, 0-07f, 0-01 65’), Eoin Cody (0-02); Eoin Kenneally (0-01), Colin Fennelly (0-01), Joey Cuddihy (0-01).

Subs: Brian Butler for D Mullen (6), Niall Shortall for Cuddihy (13), Conor Walsh for Kenneally (63).

Referee: Liam Gordon (Killimor, Galway)