Kilsheelan/Kilcash rule the roost in south Tipperary intermediate hurling final

Kilsheelan/Kilcash  1-20  Ballingarry 0-12

Kilsheelan/Kilcash secured their third South Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship title in four years in Clonmel Sportsfield on Saturday evening, when in a blistering second half performance they outscored their Ballingarry rivals by 1-8 to 0-4.

High temperatures in Clonmel made for an energy-sapping game and the two water breaks were much appreciated by the players. It was a lively game of hurling, with some great scores from both sides. It was all to play for at half-time, as just three points separated the teams with the advantage in Kilsheelan/Kilcash's favour, 0-11 to 0-8.

READ NEXT: Tipperary community rallies around Tobin family after tragedy

Kilsheelan/Kilcash dominated the second half, as they brought new energy to the game and their tackling never allowed Ballingarry to settle.  When Mark Stokes goaled early in the second half it opened up a seven-point gap and Kilsheelan/Kilcash never looked back from this vital score.

SEE MORE: Emergency services rush to scene of fire at petrol station in Tipperary

Dylan Wash opened Ballingarry's account with a pointed free, which was quickly replied to by Kilsheelan's Micheál Freaney when, with his first touch of the ball, he drove over a fine point from play. Good combination play by the Kilsheelan forwards resulted in points by Senan Butler and Tommy O'Connor to edge them ahead.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash lost centre forward Micheál Freaney to a head injury and his blood sub replacement, Billy Murphy, signalled his arrival with a point. Just before the water break Ballingarry had a great goal chance but the final pass was fumbled and Kilsheelan escaped unscathed.

Dylan Walsh pointed a free for Ballingarry and at the water break the score stood at 0-7 to 0-2 in favour of Kilsheelan/Kilcash. Ballingarry narrowed the gap in the second quarter and the accuracy of Dylan Walsh from frees brought them more into the game. He fired over four while Jack Fennelly pointed from long distance.

Ben Ivers added another to narrow the gap while for Kilsheelan/Kilcash Tommy O'Connor was also unerring from placed balls. He had three points and a great effort from Barry Kehoe left just a puck of a ball between the sides at half-time, Kilsheelan/ Kilcash 0-11 Ballingarry 0-8.

The return to the field of play by Micheál Freaney was a big boost for Kilsheelan/Kilcash and he had an outstanding second half and proved a handful for the Ballingarry defence. Patrick Ivors had a fine point for Ballingarry from centrefield and from the long puckout by Oisin O'Donoghue the ball reached Liam Freaney, who tapped it over the bar.

Micheál Freaney secured possession for his side forty metres from the Ballingarry goal, he surged forward and was taken down but on his way he managed to pass to the inrushing Mark Stokes who, unchallenged, fired a shot to the Ballingarry net. This was the decisive score for Kilsheelan/Kilcash. At the water break they held a lead of 1-15 to 0-11 and Ballingarry were only able to add one further point to their tally before the final whistle.

Such was the dominance of the Kilsheelan defence that Ballingarry were confined to one point from play, one from a great sideline ball by Dylan Walsh and two frees from the same player. Barry Kehoe and Tommy O'Connor dominated the scoring for Kilsheelan/Kilcash in the closing stages with five points between them.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash were strong in defence, where Eoin Kehoe was solid at full-back. Billy O'Connor was outstanding in the half line while at centre field Mark Stokes and Cian Quinn held their own. Man of the match Micheál Freaney was a huge target man for his side while Tommy O'Connor made a huge contribution from frees and from play.

Ballingarry will be disappointed with their display, as they are better than this performance and may yet figure in the county championship. Ian Ivors had a good game  in goal and could not be faulted for the one that beat him. Sean Doheny tried hard at centreback but found Micheál Freaney a challenge.Up front they relied on Dylan Walsh for scores and he was flawless from frees but could not escape the attentions of Billy O'Connor, while Jack Fennelly impressed in the forwards.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash: Oisin O'Donoghue, Daire Brennan, Eoin Kehoe, Sean Ryan, Jason Madigan, Emmet Butler, Billy O'Connor, Kian Quinn, Mark Stokes (1-0), Senan Butler (0-3), Micheál Freaney (0-1), Tommy O'Connor (0-9), Liam Freaney (0-1), Barry Kehoe (0-5), Jamie Roche.

Temporary sub: Billy Murphy (0-1). 

Ballingarry: Ian Ivors, Ger Ryan, Paul Butler, Mikie McGrath, Declan Hayes, Sean Doheny, James Burns, Conor Vaughan, Patrick Ivors (0-1), Dylan Walsh (0-7), Jack Fennelly (0-2), Simon Blackmore, Diarmuid Ryan (0-1), Michael Ivors, Ben Ivers (0-1).

Referee: Shane O'Neill (St Mary's).