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29th October 2018
08:57am GMT

And then, you've the best of them.
Everything goes through TJ Reid, Kilkenny's and Ballyhale's man mountain at number 11. His goal in the third minute just summed him up. He gets the ball almost 45 yards out. Most lads would be relieved to get such a handy chance for an early point, just to settle themselves into the game. TJ Reid isn't like most lads.
He sees things differently to the rest of us and he had goal on his mind the millisecond that ball broke his way. He thundered through and buried it. Ballyhale on their way, welcome to the big time Bennettsbridge.
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In fairness to Bennettsbridge, they did arrive to Nowlan Park and they did hit Ballyhale Shamrocks hard. Jason Cleere grew into it and so did Enda Morrissey and it got fairly hairy for Ballyhale Shamrocks down the home stretch.
But they never really looked like losing it. Fearless leader TJ Reid led his troops. He ended his afternoon with 1-10 (1-2 from open play) but this was far from a one-man show and that's why Ballyhale will be so dangerous in Leinster and in the All-Ireland.
Every one of their six starting forwards scored from open play. Of their 2-20 tally, ten of their players had contributed to it. Half backs Shefflin and Mullen chipped in, so did Ronan Corcoran from midfield.
Eight Bennettsbridge players also got on the score-sheet, meaning 18 players scored from open play in this Kilkenny final.
Ballyhale have scorers all over the field. Ballyhale Shamrocks are back.Explore more on these topics: