Ballyhale Shamrocks were unseated as Kilkenny hurling kingpins by Carrickshock in a thrilling semi-final at Nowlan Park.

Super-sub Niall Rohan netted in injury-time to secure a 4-14 to 2-14 victory for Carrickshock, who will now meet reigning All-Ireland club intermediate champions Clara in a novel county final. Clara continued their meteoric rise with a 1-17 to 1-14 victory over St. Martin's in yesterday's second semi-final.

Carrickshock, who reached the final three years ago, threw down the gauntlet to the holders by racing into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead inside eight minutes. Henry Shefflin set up Colin Fennelly for a 13th minute Ballyhale goal, but they still trailed by 1-7 to 1-10 at the break.

When Rohan grabbed his first goal at the end of the third quarter, Carrickshock led by 3-13 to 1-11, but a TJ Reid goal and a Shefflin point had the margin down to three before Rohan settled it with his 62nd minute strike.

Clara trailed St. Martin's by 0-8 to 1-6 at half-time with Canice Maher accounting for the Muckalee goal in the 13th minute. The sides were level four times in a tense second half before James Nolan goaled with two minutes remaining to seal Clara's win. Tweet

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