First half goals from the Reid brothers, TJ and Eoin, paved the way for Ballyhale Shamrocks' victory over holders Birr in the Leinster club hurling final at chilly Nowlan Park. Ballyhale Shamrocks.2-13 Birr........1-11 Both strikes, which were scored inside the opening 16 minutes, were the result of defensive errors and left Birr playing catch up for the remainder of the game. The Offaly champions showed typical never-say-die spirit in the second half as they attempted to claw back a deficit which was 10 points at one stage, and when veteran star Brian Whelahan netted in the 57th minute and Paul O'Meara followed up with a point, the margin was down to just four points. However, Henry Shefflin had the final say when he pointed a free to put Ballyhale through to an All-Ireland semi-final where they will face reigning All-Ireland champions Portumna next February. A mix-up between Rory Hanniffy and Michael Verney handed Eoin Reid the opening goal after just five minutes, and his brother TJ also beat Brian Mullins in the 16th minute after the Birr 'keeper had saved Henry Shefflin's initial effort. Shefflin tagged on two majestic points to leave Shamrocks perched on a 2-8 to 0-4 lead at the break. With the Hanniffys and Barry Whelahan coming more into the game, Birr were much improved in the second half, but they lacked a cutting edge up front, with Paul O'Meara being denied on three separate occasions in front of goal by a combination of goalkeeper James Connolly and some last-ditch blocking. Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 57th minute when Sean Ryan offloaded to Whelahan who swivelled and finished to the net to set up a tense finish. But Birr left their comeback too late as Shamrocks held on for the win. Tweet

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