TJ Reid hits dramatic late goal as Ballyhale defeat St Thomas to reach All-Ireland final

Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 2-15
St Thomas (Galway) 0-20

TJ REID RESCUED Ballyhale Shamrocks with a sensational late goal as the champions broke the hearts of Galway’s St Thomas in the All-Ireland senior club semi-final today.

Reid smashed a 20-yard free to the net, from just to the right of the goal in the 64th minute, to secure a spot in the All-Ireland final for the Kilkenny kingpins.

He had earlier found the net from a 55th minute penalty, priceless strikes on a day where St Thomas looked to be on course for victory with Conor Cooney and Eanna Burke in inspirational form.

But Reid again displayed his hurling greatness with the critical scores to set up a final meeting with Ballygunner.

63 nóim@BallyhaleGAA 2–15@StThomassHC 0-20

CÚL EILE AG TJ!!!@BallyhaleGAA HAVE WON IT!!!!@GAA_BEO

BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/NcnNOnfM8i

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 23, 2022

Full time score

St. Thomas’ 0-20
Ballyhale 2-15

We are absolutely devastated to lose the way we did

We are so proud of ye
lads ❤️💙@WhatstheScor

— St. Thomas' GAA (@StThomassHC) January 23, 2022

Reid’s interventions were desperately needed too as Ballyhale chased this game in the second half. They trailed 0-18 to 0-14 with ten minutes remaining before a Reid free trimmed the deficit and then the James O’Connor-managed team received a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty, Colin Fennelly fouled after an incisive run from Darragh Corcoran.

Reid smashed the penalty to the net but then St Thomas wrestled back the momentum again with a pair of points from injury-time frees supplied by Conor Cooney, benefitting from the hard work of James Regan and David Burke to draw fouls.

TJ Reid in action against St Thomas.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

It appeared that St Thomas were set for a famous success but they were left devastated when Reid was fouled late on and dusted himself down to find the net. The Kilkenny star finished with 2-5 to his name with Eoin Cody (0-4) and Joe Cuddihy (0-3) also making valuable scoring contributions.

Yet this game was largely bossed by St Thomas. They got off to a brilliant start with the first four points of the game posted on the board, yet Ballyhale recovered to be in front 0-7 to 0-6 at the first water break. They were also grateful to a fine first-half save from goalkeeper Dean Mason to deny Eanna Burke.

St Thomas charged back into contention again, in front 0-13 to 0-11 at half-time, and in the ascendancy at the second-half water break, 0-17 to 0-13. They had terrific performances all over them pitch, anchored by full-back Fintan Burke, and were in a strong position until Ballyhale pegged them back with those sensational Reid goals.

Scorers for Ballyhale Shamrocks: TJ Reid 2-5 (1-3f, 1-0 pen), Eoin Cody 0-4, Joe Cuddihy 0-3, Patrick Mullen, Colin Fennelly, Adrian Mullen 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Thomas: Conor Cooney 0-11 (0-10f, 0-1 sideline), Eanna Burke 0-4, Bernard Burke 0-2, Darragh Burke, Brendan Farrell, James Regan 0-1 each.

Ballyhale Shamrocks

Dean Mason

Darren Mullen, Joey Holden, Kevin Mullen

Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran

Paddy Mullen, Conor Phelan 

Brian Cody, TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen

Joe Cuddihy, Colin Fennelly (captain), Eoin Cody

Subs

Eoin Kenneally for Phelan (inj) (29)

Brian Butler for Kevin Mullen (inj) (42)

Conor Walsh for Darren Mullen (55)

Eoin Reid for Kenneally (58)

St Thomas

Gerald Kelly

Cian Mahony, Fintan Burke, David Sherry

John Headd, David Burke, Cathal Burke

Evan Duggan, Bernard Burke

James Regan, Conor Cooney (captain), Eanna Burke

Oisin Flannery, Darragh Burke, Bernard Farrell

Subs

V Manso for Farrell (45)

Mark Caulfield for Duggan (58)

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