TJ and the Shamrocks- Kilkenny Club Hurling's History Makers

It was a day for the record books as Shamrocks Ballyhale and TJ Reid both created their own bit of history on the back of the club’s 1-18 to 0-12 victory over O’Loughlin Gaels in last Sunday’s St Canice’s Credit Union SHC Final in UPMC Nowlan Park.

TJ notched 11 points in total and captained the side to glory on what was his 12th time to win the senior title with the club.

It was a new record for club hurling within Kilkenny as he surpasses fellow teammates Colin Fennelly and Eoin Reid who currently sit on 11 each as well as Johnny McGovern who started in all 11 of Bennettsbridge’s wins between 1952 and 1971.

An incredible achievement for TJ and one to add to his ever blooming list of honours with all his first arriving way back in 2006 against last Sunday’s opponents.

It wasn’t just TJ who enjoyed a day of records as the team itself incredibly moved to the top of the Kilkenny SHC Roll of Honour with their 21st win eclipsing the 20 that they shared alongside Tullaroan over the last three years.

The star forward acknowledges that they are in an incredibly lucky position as a club and the family links are there for all to see.

“Ballyhale, Shamrocks, yeah, what can I say about them? Great families make great people, and great people make great teams. We had that over the last number of years.

“The team that started (Sunday), go back probably to the first one that we won (in 2006), it’s the same family names that are there: the Masons, the Holdens, Mullins or Fennellys, Codys or the Shefflins. The Reids were there, the Aylwards were there.

“It’s the same family-tree line again, and we know the standards. It’s all about winning, and in Ballyhale we’re brought back down to earth fairly lively as well, which is a great thing. We never get carried away, we’re always focused, we’re always respectful.”

Reid played alongside his manager Henry Shefflin back in 2006 for his first title win and there is perfect symmetry in the duo linking up for this latest success.

Shefflin has huge praise for Reid with his longevity for club and county coming to the fore.

“He’s just a special man. I’m delighted for him to be captain and to lead us up the steps,” the Shamrocks manager said.

“I don’t know how he keeps going. He just loves the game. That’s what he does. Just to see some of the things he can do there at his age and I don’t even know what age he is at this stage because he just keeps going.”

When the celebrations die down over the next few days, Reid and Shefflin will eye up further Leinster success in the coming weeks and why shouldn’t they given the fact they’ve won the provincial title on eight occasions since TJ made his breakthrough.

It’s not an easy start as three-in-a-row Offaly champions and last year’s Leinster finalists Kilcormac Killoughey come to Noreside on Sunday week.

That’s all that’s on Reid’s mind even if he was asked about his Kilkenny future in the aftermath of the county final.

“Look, at the moment, I’m still a Kilkenny player. No decision has been made yet, so I’m still part of the panel today, and at the moment, my journey’s with Ballyhale Shamrocks. If I’m picked for next year, I’m back in,” he said with a wry smile.