Thomastown’s journey in the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship continued last weekend as they secured a 21 points to 1-16 victory over Shamrocks Ballyhale.
Having made the leap to senior level after last year’s Intermediate All-Ireland triumph, Thomastown have shown they belong at the top level of Kilkenny hurling.
Reflecting on the victory, Thomastown star Zac Bay Hammond expressed the determination within the team to prove themselves as serious contenders.
“We lost how many intermediate finals in a numerous amount of years. When we got the chance last year, we had to make sure that we took everything we get,” Bay Hammond said after the game. “This is why we got as far as we did, we got to the All-Ireland. And I suppose it just carried on, we need to push. And we need to show that we’re not here to be pushed around and that we are a savage team.”
In the other quarter-final clash, Bennettsbridge needed extra time to overcome Tullaroan, winning by 2-26 to 1-23 in a nail-biting encounter in Castlecomer. The victory sends Bennettsbridge through to the semi-finals as they continue their pursuit of the St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Championship title.
Meanwhile, attention now turns to next Sunday, as Dicksboro, O’Loughlin Gaels, Erin’s Own, and Mullinavat prepare for their delayed quarter-final fixtures. Originally scheduled for last weekend, these matches were postponed due to a weather warning, but they are set to resume with all four teams eager to progress.
As the championship heats up, Thomastown’s triumph over Ballyhale serves as a reminder that no team can be underestimated, and Bay Hammond and his teammates are determined to show they belong at the top.
For more analysis on this weekend’s Kilkenny hurling action, tune in to the KCLR Hurling Podcast, available now from wherever you get your podcasts.
