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07th Dec 2014

Ballyhale Shamrocks outlast Kilcormac-Killoughey to win Leinster title

TJ Reid and Henry Shefflin inspire the Kilkenny men

Gareth Makim

Kilkenny’s finest, Ballyhale Shamrocks, are back on top of the Leinster hurling pile thanks to an extra-time victory over Kilcormac-Killoughey in Portlaoise.

TJ Reid fired ten points and Henry Shefflin added four as Ballyhale moved away to record an 0-21 to 1-14 triumph against the Offaly champions.

The sides matched each other score for score in the opening period, Ballyhale taking a 0-7 to 0-6 advantage into the break, but a goal from Dan Currams put Kilcormac-Killoughey in front early in the second half.

Man-of-the-match Reid brought Ballyhale back on terms and a series of misplaced balls by Ciaran Slevin prevented the Offaly men moving back in front.

A superb Shefflin point looked set to win it until Slevin made amends with a last-minute free level things up at 1-11 to 0-14 and extend the game.

Shefflin wasn’t finished though, and he got on the scoresheet twice as Ballyhale opened up a four-point lead in extra time. That margin proved decisive and Ballyhale closed out their eighth Leinster title and first since 2009.

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