Cody sparkles as Ballyhale claim ninth All-Ireland title

It wasn't quite the cakewalk many had predicted but even without injured All-Star Adrian Mullen, Ballyhale Shamrocks were still good value for their ninth AIB All-Ireland club SHC title success.

The seven-point win may have flattered Pat Hoban's side slightly as they led by just one with eight minutes of normal time remaining but, in truth, they rarely looked like losing with Eoin Cody their key man in attack.

The Kilkenny star helped himself to 1-05 across the hour, all from open play, and signalled once more that he can develop into one of the best forwards in the game in the coming years.

TJ Reid scored just the one point from play though his six other points from placed balls were significant in a relatively low scoring contest.

Dunloy, who have now slipped to their fifth All-Ireland final defeat, placing them alongside Rathnure of Wexford as the team with the worst final record, will reflect on the five-minute period from the 52nd minute as decisive.

They had reduced the gap to just a point at that stage but four Ballyhale points in a row from Cody, Paddy Mullen, Killian Corcoran and Colin Fennelly put clear daylight between them again and left the strong favourites in the clear.

Having slipped up in their bid for a three-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles last year, famously succumbing to Harry Ruddle's late, late goal for Ballygunner, it will go down as one of the sweetest wins for the Kilkenny representatives.

Dunloy, led in scoring terms by county marksman Conal Cunning, didn't lose any face in defeat either as they battled gamely throughout.

Their semi-final win over St Thomas', when they overwhelmed the former champions with their dynamism and race pace, hinted that further gains may lay ahead on their return to spacious