Search Results for 'Cha Fitzpatrick'

Twelve months ago most of the final round games of the National Hurling League were played out as mere challenge matches — Galway and Cork had already qualified for the spring showdown. The only games of any consequences were played by Limerick and Offaly who were both looking to avoid the relegation drop.

October has arrived and the games in the Kilkenny club championship are getting fewer and fewer.

The quarter finals in the senior and intermediate grades were the main focus last weekend. Once again large crowds turned out at all venues to watch the drama unfold. The champions Ballyhale Shamrocks put their title on the line against Dunnamaggin at Hugginstown on Saturday afternoon.

With the World Cup now in full swing next Sunday’s Leinster hurling semi-finals are almost slipping in under the radar. Kilkenny who have not seen competitive action for some time now finally get a chance to strut their stuff.

Ballyhale Shamrocks produced one of the finest displays Croke Park has seen last Wednesday to land the All-Ireland Club title for a record breaking fifth time.

Ballyhale Shamrocks are hoping St Patrick’s Day will be a lucky one for them as they face Portumna of Galway in Croke Park on March 17.

The game between Kilkenny and Cork will get a quick analysing next week due to the clash of Ballyhale Shamrocks and Portumna, the two best club teams in recent years. If Kilkenny and Tipperary were the two teams most neutrals wanted to see in last year’s All-Ireland final, these are the two that everyone wanted for a club final appearance.

If Kilkenny and Tipperary were the two teams most neutrals wanted to see in last year’s All-Ireland final, Ballyhale Shamrocks and Portumna are the two everyone wanted for a club final appearance.

The Shamrocks remain on course to lift the Tom Walsh Cup for the third consecutive year after blowing away Carrickshock in a second half blitz last Sunday. They outscored their neighbours 1-14 to 4 points in a virtuoso second half display that once again left people in the stands in awe of their talents. The Ballyhale men most certainly hit the field running with early scores from Henry and Eoin Reid before Richie Power hit back for the Carrickshock men. The Shamrocks’ machine took off once more with points from Henry (3), Colin Fennelly and the impressive Eoin Reid. At this early stage it looked fairly bleak for the ‘Shocks as the Ballyhale men ghosted around the field slotting scores from all angles. The one Carrickshock man that rose to the occasion was their Offaly import David Franks, his burst up the field 10 minutes before half-time, seemed to inspire some of his colleagues. I don't know whether it was that Carrickshock lifted their game or the Ballyhale men dosed off due to their comfortable position, but they certainly had the better of the exchanges during the last ten minutes. Points from intercounty men Michael Rice, Richie Power and one from Shane Power left the minimum between them as half-time approached. This year’s county minor Mark O'Dwyer levelled proceedings on the stroke of half-time with a well taken score.

The GAA's ridiculous decision to sandwich in a football quarterfinal this Sunday between the minor and senior hurling semi-finals shows once again how little regard they have for the small ball. Surely they could have asked the footballers of Meath and Mayo to play on Saturday thus leaving the next day free for the hurling semi-finals.