Search Results for 'Mark Aylward'

St Kieran’s College put their Provincial and All-Ireland titles on the line as they square up to north Dublin College on Saturday.

Last Sunday’s county final, which ended all square, was certainly action-packed and full of incidents.

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.

Last weekend was once again a very busy one for Kilkenny hurling as round two of the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling and the Michael Lyng Intermediate Hurling League took place. Teams have two weeks to prepare for these encounters. For teams that had lost or performed below par in round one, this was their chance to redeem themselves and put the all important points on the board.

Ballyhale Shamrocks turned Croke Park green as they secured a record-breaking fifth AIB All-Ireland Senior Hurling Club title on St Patrick's Day, thanks to a hard-earned victory over Portumna.

Nothing lasts for ever and we know that all good things come to an end. And it did for Portuma yesterday.

Ballyhale Shamrocks earned themselves a rematch with champions Portumna on St Patrick’s Day when they earned a deserved but narrow victory over Newtownshandrum at Thurles on Sunday.

Thousands of supporters flocked to Nowlan Park on Sunday last to witness the end of the senior club hurling and the battle of the greats. Ballyhale were seeking their 3-in-a-row and James Stephens were hoping to prevent them reaching it. Earlier predictions saw a Ballyhale landslide victory. However, the men from the Village fought to the bitter end. They refused to hang their heads and were worthy opponents. Ballyhale’s Trojan defence can be credited with their victory, they didn’t give an inch with six of the Village scores coming from frees with the other points from David McCormack, Philly Larkin and Mathew Ruth. James Stephens’s Achilles heal was their attack which at times lacked power and speed, whenever the ball was sent their way, it nearly always landed in Padraig Holden’s grasp- who cleaned up for Ballyhale. Philly Larkin, Mathew Ruth, an injured Eoin Larkin and Peter Barry tried their best up front for the Village. While captain Jackie Tyrrell ran the length and breadth of the ground. Ballyhale were led to victory courtesy of the Reid brothers. TJ, Eoin and Patrick put in super displays and their ability to score in difficult situations proved decisive. Eoin and Paddy’s goals put Ballyhale in the driving seat. Henry had a relatively quiet game, he was held firmly by the strength of Jackie Tyrrell who never allowed Shefflin to shine as he only scored one point from play and at times showed his frustration. However the day belonged to the men from Ballyhale, and while at times the score could have gone either way, their skill and strength won out resulting in a five point lead. The Kilkenny senior team wil, for another year, be led by a Ballyhale man.

Ballyhale Shamrocks and Tullogher Rosbercon landed two more Leinster titles for the county last Sunday to copperfasten what is undoubtedly the best year Kilkenny hurling has ever seen. Some might argue that the entertainment value wasn’t as high as other years, but in terms of trophies won surely ‘08 will never be surpassed. Last Sunday’s victory merely put the icing on the cake and it was the perfect ending to a perfect year.

The senior club hurling semi-final between Ballyhale Shamrocks and O’Loughlin Gaels last weekend left the ‘Gaels men disappointed as the Shamrocks pushed forward into the final against James Stephens.