A TJ Reid last gap goal in Semple Stadium helped Shamrocks advance to the Senior Club All Ireland Final setting up a showdown with Ballygunner in the process.
Shamrocks were two points down, before Reid incredibly struck a free 22 yards out, straight into the back of the net for Shamrocks to win the game 2 goals and 15 points to 20 points.
Speaking after the game TJ admitted that he was blessed to have scored when he did;
“I asked the referee what was left and he said 30 seconds. So I had only one option and that was to strike it as hard as I could.”
“I struck it on the sweet spot and I knew the minute I struck it there was a fair chance of it going in.”
“I actually did not see the ball go in as I was concentrating on my strike. It went through a few bodies and times like that, it is nearly worse having loads of bodies on the goal. It is very hard to move around, twist, and turn with lads getting blocked off.”
“I said I would strike it in the middle of them as it is very hard to move and get a block on it. I was blessed.”
🤯 Two points down to St Thomas'. Injury time up. It looks like Ballyhale are out.
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) January 23, 2022
🙌 And then, TJ Reid!pic.twitter.com/g3fQoormje
Shamrocks have had to battle their way to the final with O’Loughlins giving them a scare in the County Championship, while Mount Leinster Rangers and St. Ryanaghs ran them close in provincial action. The Leinster final did end up being a bit of a blowout as Clough Ballacolla couldn’t ever grab a foothold in the game against the reigning All Ireland Championship and talisman Reid believes that despite that result, fans need to temper their expectations;
“It is a massive relief. There is some difference between winning the Leinster final by 15 points and then the semi-final by a point. The joy on everyone’s face is because that is what sport is all about. When you are in a dog fight and come out on top, it is a massive relief.”
“I think spectators are expecting us to beat teams by 10-15 points all the time, and I think people need to forget that. We are going to be brought to the wire at some stages and teams are going to do as much as they can to try and beat us. Those games are tough, but they will stand to us going into the All Ireland final.”
“We are after having massive tough games. We only scored 15 points in total (against St. Thomas) when we were averaging 25-26 points, so that is very poor for us.”
Waterford and Munster champions Ballygunnar now stand in the way of TJ Reid and his teammates, with the final set for February 12th in Croke Park. Reid believes the Waterford side with be gunning for them;
“The Club All Ireland is a spectacular occasion. Ballygunner is coming for us. For the last couple of years they have eight county finals in a row, and a few Munsters, but I know deep down an All Ireland final is their goal. We are in the way, and they are in our way as well. I have no doubt it will be a great game of hurling.”
Listen back to the full interview on Scoreline Extra :
