Paddy Deegan’s injury-time point for O’Loughlin Gaels ended Ballyhale Shamrocks’ bid for a six-in-a-row of Kilkenny SHC titles.

In a thrilling final that was level nine times at UPMC Nowlan Park, the city side prevailed by 0-20 to 0-19 to be crowned champions for the first time since 2016 and end Ballyhale’s reign as Kilkenny, Leinster and All-Ireland kingpins.

O’Loughlin’s signalled their intent by firing four points in the opening eight minutes per Mark Bergin, Sean Bolger and Paddy Deegan. Ballyhale, who surprisingly didn’t use any substitutes, rallied with scores from Evan Shefflin, TJ Reid and Eoin Cody to reduce the deficit to the minimum before three Bergin points put the winners 0-9 to 0-6 up. But TJ Reid and Adrian Mullen replied to level proceedings at the break.

Eoin Cody gave Ballyhale the lead for the first time straight after the restart and it was tit-for-tat thereafter before Deegan won it at the death after David Fogarty had levelled for O’Loughlin’s moments earlier.

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