Ballyhale prevail despite remarkable Kilmacud fightback

Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 2-22 Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) 2-19

Ballyhale Shamrocks have retained the AIB Leinster club SHC title, but the club's 12th provincial title didn't come without an almighty struggle against Kilmacud Crokes at Croke Park.

Leading by a whopping 14 points with 25 minutes remaining, the Kilkenny champions almost had their third consecutive provincial crown torn from their grasp as Kilmacud Crokes reduced the deficit to a point in the 47th minute.

Eoin Kenneally's fortunate 49th-minute goal - when his ball in from the left wing somehow snuck to the net - went a long way to securing the win for the Shamrocks.

But they still couldn't fully breathe out and celebrate a place in the All-Ireland semi-finals later this month until full-time as Crokes threw everything they had at it late on.

Kieran Dowling's Crokes hit 1-07 without reply in the third quarter to haul themselves back into contention after a terrible first half, but that Kenneally goal and late points from TJ Reid just about got the red-hot favourites over the line.

They will take on new Munster champions Ballygunner in the All-Ireland semi-final on the weekend of 17/18 December - a mouthwatering repeat of last year's decider which the Gunners won.

But it will be a difficult Christmas for Crokes who may feel that having reeled Ballyhale in with goals from Caolan Conway and Alex Considine, they ought to have pushed on and finished the job.

Crokes were boosted by the return of Considine following suspension and an early point from the Dublin attacker helped the underdogs to lead by 0-03 to 0-02.

But they then went 20 minutes - from the eighth to the 28th - without scoring and conceded 1-09 in that period, leaving them desperately chasing the game from