Ballyhale Shamrocks 4-19; James Stephens 1-19
With former Kilkenny boss Brian Cody on the sideline, Ballyhale Shamrocks eased to a quarter-final spot in the Kilkenny senior hurling championship with nine points to spare over a dogged village outfit on Sunday afternoon.
The 20-time champions always had the upperhand in the game and led by 2-10 to 0-13 after goals from Adrian Mullen and the ageless TJ Reid just before half-time..
Eoin Cody got in for the Shamrocks’ third green flag shortly into the second moiety but something of a comeback saw from Stephens saw Eoin Guilfoyle netting crack home a three-pointer to leave only a point in the game - 3-11 to 1-16 - with 19 minutes left on the clock.
For a short spell after Cian Kenny went on to level proceedings, it looked as if there might be a shock but true to form, Ballyhale’s enduring marksman Reid shot home a penalty rebound before his side pushed onto a comprehensive victory by game’s end.
With Dicksboro advancing on a 1-24 to 1-11 scoreline over Graigue Ballycallan on Sunday, they secured a place in the knockout stages which sees them come up against the holders,O’Loughlin Gaels. The other draws are Ballyhale Shamrocks v Thomastown; Bennettsbridge v Tullaroan and Mullinavat v Érins Own.
Kildare star retires at 46
One of the country’s most enduring GAA footballers, Kildare legend Johnny Doyle, has finally hung up his boots at the ripe old age of 46.
He announced his retirement from senior club football after his Allenwood team bowed out of the Kildare SF championship on Sunay evening following their 5-10 to 1-13 loss to Athy.
Doyle is the holder of a Leinter SF medal following his side’s win in 2000 and a decade later was recognised by the All Star selectors after a sterling year in the lilywhite colors.
Although retired from the intercounty scene since 2014, at local level he has played with Allenwood who won both county and Leinster intermediate championships in that time. Previously he also had won a senior championship 20 years ago with his club.
Cannings' father,
son achievement
Galway great Joe Canning’s older brother and his son made a litle bit of history when lining out together as father-and-son in the Galway SHC last weekend.
Ivan Canning - a veteran netminder with Portumna, and his son Andrew — played together for their club in their 1-21 to 5-22 loss to Liam Mellows in Gort.
