Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 2-24

Slaughtneil (Derry) 2-19

Ballyhale Shamrocks remain on course for back-to-back All-Ireland club SHC titles, but only after surviving a huge scare from massive underdogs Slaughtneil in the first of today's semi-finals at Pairc Esler.

Eleven points (10 from placed balls) from TJ Reid and a late Colin Fennelly goal proved decisive as the Kilkenny champions prevailed after a titantic battle in Newry. Slaughtneil, who pushed both Cuala and Na Piarsaigh to the pin of their collar in their previous All-Ireland semi-final appearances, were immense once again and were on the cusp of a famous victory when a goal from the outstanding Brendan Rogers with time running out reduced the deficit to the minimum.

But crucially, Evan Shefflin got the next score for Ballyhale before Fennelly sealed their place in another All-Ireland decider with a 62nd minute major.

Slaughtneil threw down the gauntlet to the All-Ireland champions with an early Chirssy McKaigue point from long range before Jerome McGuigan sent their supporters into raptures with a seventh-minute goal after the Ballyhale defence had failed to clear from Brian Cassidy's sideline cut.

Ballyhale Shamrocks' Ronan Corcoran with Christopher McKaigue of Slaughtneil.

Despite midfielder Gerard Bradley excelling in a sweeper role for the Ulster kingpins, Reid settled Ballyhale with a succession of frees. The sharpshooter then set up Colin Fennelly for his first goal, but Slaughtneil responded with points from Rogers and the excellent Cormac O'Doherty to trail by 1-10 to 1-11 at the interval.

Reid and O'Doherty continued to trade frees after the restart before a Ballyhale purple patch between the 42nd and 49th minutes yielded four unanswered points from Brian Cody, sub Patrick Mullen and the Reid brothers, TJ and Eoin.

But the Emmets weren't going away and Rogers set up a grandstand finish when he caught his own puck out and raced through for a stunning goal to make it a one-point game.

Henry Shefflin's men refused to panic, however, as Evan Shefflin hit an instant reply. Reid then nailed his 10th free before Fennelly's injury-time strike finally settled it.

Ballyhale Shamrocks - D Mason; D Mullen, J Holden, D Corcoran; E Shefflin (0-3), M Fennelly, R Reid; R Corcoran (0-2), C Walsh; B Cody (0-3), TJ Reid (0-11, 10f), A Mullen; E Reid (0-1), C Fennelly (2-1), E Cody (0-2). Subs: P Mullen (0-1) for C Walsh, M Aylward for B Cody, J Cuddihy for E Cody.

Slaughtneil - O O’Doherty; Se Cassidy, Sean Cassidy (0-1), C McKenna; M McGrath (0-1), Shane McGuigan, K McKaigue; G Bradley, C McKaigue (0-2); B Cassidy (0-3), C O’Doherty (0-9f), M McGuigan; Se McGuigan (0-1), J McGuigan (1-0), B Rogers (1-2). Sub: C McAllister for S Cassidy.

Referee - F Horgan.

 

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