Relentless Shamrocks seek to prolong winning tradition

Ballyhale Shamrocks don't appear like they require much external motivation to go out and win hurling matches but were provided with some this year anyway.

Last year's loss to Ballygunner was unusually sickening. A first ever three-in-a-row (albeit it would have been achieved over four years) was in their grasp before Harry Ruddle sauntered into a chasm of space, drilling home a dramatic winner for the Waterford champions at the death.

It was rare territory for Ballyhale, only their second All-Ireland final loss in 10 appearances and their first defeat in a decider since their first ever showing in 1979, when Knocktopher's own Frank Cummins was part of a Blackrock side which pipped them in a goal-fest.

Colin Fennelly was sufficiently annoyed by Barry Coughlan's victory speech that he took the rare step of providing the GAA press with some headlines out of it.

"Like, literally we robbed it today, you know," Coughlan announced from the Hogan Stand last February. "I suppose ye have done that to other teams, so I suppose if it goes around, it comes around."

Notwithstanding Coughlan's subsequent comment that he "meant that with full respect", the Shamrocks players felt disrespected.

Fennelly felt it keenly enough to bring it up ahead of last month's return meeting in the All-Ireland semi-final.

"Their speech at the end of the game, it's not something you want to hear. You want that little bit of respect but, look, we'll keep our heads down," Fennelly told reporters, in a slight departure from the usual straight bat approach at these events.

Six days before Christmas, while most of the rest of the world had their heads turned by events in Lusail, Ballyhale gained their revenge against the reigning champions. The game was tit-for-tat