All-Ireland Club IHC semi-final: Ballyragget are Croker bound

January 20, 2018

Ballyragget have booked their place in the All Ireland Club IHC final.

Despite lining out minus the services of injured county star Kevin Kelly, St Patrick's Ballyragget advanced to the All-Ireland Club IHC final thanks to a 3-14 to 1-9 semi-final victory over Tooreen of Mayo in Cusack Park, Ennis today.

Kelly was the star of their Leinster final victory over Wicklow's Glenealy but he missed out today because of a knee injury.

In his absence, his club-mates finished with 11 points to spare over a Tooreen side which created history when becoming the first Mayo club to win the Connacht crown since the competition's inception in 2005.

Joseph Brennan top scored for the winners with 2-2 while Eoin Bergin also found the back of the Mayo side's net.

Michael Brennan raised seven white flags for the Stephen Staunton captained outfit while Ciaran Charlton bagged a late consolation goal for Tooreen.

The Kilkenny and Leinster champions will now turn their attention to a Croke Park date with the winners of the second semi-final between Kanturk (Cork) and Middletown Na Fianna which is scheduled to be played on February 4th.

Ballyragget - M Gannon; J Mooney, J Gannon, M Staunton; R Healy, S Staunton, G Brennan; S Kenny (0-1), Bill Staunton (0-2); Barry Staunton, M Brennan (0-7, 5f, 2'65), P Brennan; E Bergin (1-1), B Phelan (0-1), J Brennan (2-2). Subs: O Brennan for P Brennan, P McEvoy for B Phelan, P Gannon for S Kenny, S Mooney for Barry Staunton, A Ruth for Bill Staunton.

Tooreen - S Lenehan; D Huane, M Morley, A Henry; C Henry, S Coyne, D Kenny; C Freeman (0-2), C English; B Morley, F Boland, C Charlton (1-0); K Feeney (0-3f), S Regan, S Boland (0-4f). Subs: S Kenny for B Morley, S Morley for C Henry, N Robinson for D Huane, D Harrison for C English, B Douglas for S Kenny.

Referee - R McGann.


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