In the only senior game on Sunday, Bennettsbridge were value for money against Ballyhale Shamrocks in the St. Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Hurling League.
At half time only two points separated the sides, with an early TJ Reid goal allowing Shamrocks to always remain in touching distance. However, Shamrocks were then reduced to 14 men after Eoin Cody received his marching orders in the second half. Unlike the county final last year when Pat Hobans men found another gear after losing a man, they could not find a route to victory.
See also: Kilkenny club hurling league tables after round 4
In their final league game, we’ll be live in John Locke Park in Callan for a repeat of the aforementioned final as Ballyhale Shamrocks and James Stephens clash. Both teams can still secure a top-two position but a defeat could see them end up in a relegation semi-final. Speaking to KCLR after the game manager Pat Hoban stated his team will have to improve.
“I’d expect the Shamrocks to show character in all situations, but it was the damage that was done at the start of the second half. The sending-off, Bridge got two goals and made it very difficult. The lads didn’t give up, but I’d expect that.”
“We need to get a win, we need to start hurling better”
“The ideal thing was to qualify and you would have three weeks of a break. That’s not going to be for us now, so we’ve got to just get back during the week and refocus and get them up and going again.”
See also: Get all the reaction from this weekends games
Fan of hurling? Get up to date with The Kilkenny Hurling Podcast.
Each week Robbie Dowling and former Blacks and Whites manager Eddie Scally cast their eye over all the action from the weekend’s senior, intermediate, and junior league and championship games as well as looking ahead to the next round of action.