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Niall McIntyre Colm Keys reports from Nowlan Park:Shamrocks Ballyhale are back on top in Kilkenny again after a decisive win over O'Loughlin Gael's in the county's senior hurling final at UPMC Nowlan Park.It is title No.21 for the game's most successful club, pushing them ahead of Tullaroan who have been on 20 titles since 1994.It's all the more remarkable given the fact that the club was only formed in 1972.TJ Reid led, as always, finishing with 0-11, including a couple of beauties from play in the second half. His leadership and industry on a difficult day for hurling was exemplary.Richie Reid was imperious too, especially in the second half when Shamrocks really laid it on in with wind assistance.The sides were level, 0-8 each, at half-time but there was only one team in it after the break, especially when O'Loughlin Gaels' Mark Bergin went off injured.There was bad blood too as the gap widened with one nasty altercation along the sideline that led to O'Loughlin Gaels' centre-forward Conor Kelly being shown red. But others were lucky to escape similar censure as blows were exchanged on top of the advertising hoardings.There were other flashpoints too but by then Shamrocks were creating their own history, building on Eoin Cody's 34th minute goal. Goal king. Sportsfile.
