2019 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship final explained

2019 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final
Event:2018-19 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
Team1:St. Thomas'
Team1score:2-11
Team2:Ballyhale Shamrocks
Team2score:2-28
Date:17 March 2019
Stadium:Croke Park
City:Dublin
Referee:Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)[1]
Previous:2018
Next:2020

The 2019 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship final was a hurling match which was played at Croke Park on 17 March 2019 to determine the winners of the 2018-19 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, the 49th season of the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, a tournament organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association for the champion clubs of the four provinces of Ireland. The final was contested by St. Thomas' of Galway and Ballyhale Shamrocks of Kilkenny, with Ballyhale Shamrockswinning by 2–28 to 2–11.[2] [3]

The All-Ireland final between Ballyhale Shamrocks and St. Thomas's was a unique occasion as it was the first ever championship meeting between the two teams. Ballyhale Shamrocks were hoping to win their seventh All-Ireland title, while St. Thomas's were bidding to win their second title after previously winning in 2013.[4] [5]

Ballyhale Shamrocks threatened to streak clear from the start. A nervous-looking St Thomas's hit a poor wide and overplayed a handpass when well placed while Shamrocks were far more clinical, moving three clear thanks to a point from Adrian Mullen either side of a free and first from play for T. J. Reid. The Kilkenny champions led 2–10 to 1-08 after an entertaining first period that saw Colin Fennelly raise two green flags, the second from an audacious piece of skill, but St Thomas's hit back with a penalty from Conor Cooney.[6] [7]

It was all one-way traffic after the break, however, as Thomas's only managed four scores – including a late consolation goal from Darragh Burke - and Ballyhale sent over a relentless stream of points. The sight of Conor Cooney going for goal from a 20m free with 15 minutes to play – it was blocked – was indicative of Thomas's already being resigned to their fate. Darragh Burke got Thomas's second goal, swiping a Shane Cooney delivery past Mason, six minutes into injury-time but even that only reduced the lead to 16 points.[8] [9]

Match

Details

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Club final referees announced. 6 March 2019. Hogan Stand. 6 March 2019.
  2. Web site: Corner-back pops up for late winner as St Thomas' squeeze past underdogs Cushendall. 9 February 2019. The 42. 19 February 2019.
  3. Web site: Eoin Cody steps up to become Ballyhale saviour. 9 February 2019. Irish Examiner. 19 February 2019.
  4. Web site: Cooney: It's a small window, you have to make most of it. 12 March 2019. Irish Independent. 13 March 2019.
  5. Web site: Ballyhale sweating on fitness of former Hurler of the Year ahead of All-Ireland club final. 13 March 2019. The 42. 13 March 2019.
  6. Web site: Fennelly stars as Shamrocks reign on St Patrick's Day. 17 March 2019. RTE Sport. 20 January 2022.
  7. Web site: AIB All Ireland Club SHC Final: Ballyhale Shamrocks triumph. 17 March 2019. GAA.ie. 20 January 2022.
  8. Web site: AS IT HAPPENED: BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS V ST THOMAS, ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CLUB HURLING FINAL. 17 March 2019. The 42. 20 January 2022.
  9. Web site: Shamrocks hale and hearty as they claim seventh All-Ireland title. 17 March 2019. Irish Times. 20 January 2022.