TJ Reid has met his nemesis.
As first halves of hurling games go, the Kilkenny SHC quarter final clash between Dicksboro and Ballyhale Shamrocks had it all. TJ Reid’s name was stamped all over it, for good and bad reasons.
The Kilkenny star was the star man for Ballyhale in their five-point win but he could have scored a hatful more.
Reid managed to miss three first-half penalties, much to the astonishment of those watching. Colin Fennelly won all three penalties for his side but had to look on as each one was missed.
Shamrocks trailed by three points at the break after Dicksboro goalkeeper Darragh Holohan twice thwarted Reid, with the forward blasting his third penalty wide. One of Holohan’s save went over the bar for a Ballyhale point but his heroics had saved his team another five.
Superb quality kk quarter final. Half time. Boro 13 points. Shamrocks 10 points. Tj reid missed 3 penalties. 1 wide. 2 saves. 1 went over after save. Boro with wind in 1st. Boro have 10 points from play.
— John Townsend (@towns82) September 30, 2018
Did Reid drop his head and fade into the background of the last eight encounter?
No chance.
He played the second half like a man possessed and rattled the back of the net just three minutes in. He ended up with a personal scoring tally of 1-15 as Ballyhale reached the semis by winning 1-24 to 1-19.
If at first, you don’t succeed, try again and again. If you don’t succeed all three times, get into the dressing rooms at half-time and re-focus.
The draw for the semis took place after the game and Ballyhale Shamrocks will take on the winners of Erin’s Own and James Stephens. The other side of the draw pits Clara against Bennettsbridge.
Here are those three TJ Reid penalties:
PENALTY 1
PENALTY 2
PENALTY 3
Wonder who will be on penalties in Ballyhale’s next game.