Dylan Walsh provides the spark for Ballingarry’s win in South Tipperary Intermediate Hurling final

Ballingarry 1-18 Kilsheelan/Kilcash 1-14

A virtuoso display by Dylan Walsh was instrumental in outsiders Ballingarry causing an upset in Saturday evening’s South Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship final at Páirc na nEalaí, Carrick-on-Suir.

Man of the match Walsh scored 13 points, including seven from play, as favourites and title holders Kilsheelan/Kilcash were dethroned and denied the opportunity to win the title for the third year in a row.

Walsh, who was called into the extended Tipperary senior panel a couple of years ago, played the key role in Ballingarry’s success but it wasn’t entirely a one-man show.

Thomas Walton’s goal ten minutes from the end of normal time put real daylight between the sides for the first time (1-14 to 0-12), and gave the impression that his side wouldn’t be beaten. The goal came when Walton tapped home the rebound after Ben Ivers’ shot had been blocked.

Elsewhere Ian Ivors was very effective in the sweeper role for Ballingarry while Gerard Ryan, Declan Hayes, Eamon Corcoran and captain Paul Butler were also vigilant in defence, while Michael Ivors had a good second half.

Kilsheelan made a decent contribution to a full-blooded and entertaining encounter played in front of a fine-sized attendance on a warm, sunny evening on a perfect surface at the picturesque Páirc na nEalaí.

They were without several players, including county senior Mark Kehoe, and suffered a further blow in the 24th minute when Mark Stokes, who had started well, was forced to leave the pitch injured.

Nevertheless, they fought bravely to the very end. Although they faced a losing battle after Walton’s goal for Ballingarry, they had the consolation of a goal from Barry Kehoe’s penalty in additional time.

Kilsheelan were well served by Tomas O’Connor, Senan Butler, Jason Madigan, Micheál Freaney and sharpshooter Barry Kehoe. Goalkeeper Oisin O’Donoghue made a few eye catching saves to keep his side in the game. He denied Dylan Walsh eight minutes into the second half and later in the half he saved twice in the space of a few seconds, first pulling Dylan Walsh’s long range free out of the air and then blocking Adam O’Connell’s effort, before Ballingarry’s Aidan Ryan put the rebound over the bar (0-14 to 0-12).

Kilsheelan will be hoping to have their forces replenished for their county championship campaign, which starts shortly.

An entertaining first half that just flew by featured 20 scores and just four wides, with wind-assisted Ballingarry leading at the break by 0-11 to 0-9. The sides were level four times in that opening period, with Dylan Walsh setting the tone for his outstanding performance with a score inside the first few seconds. Kilsheelan responded well and went 0-3 to 0-1 ahead thanks to points from Barry Kehoe (two frees) and Thomas O’Connor.

Two Dylan Walsh points, one from a free, had the teams level again before Walsh, who was starting to pull the strings for his team, converted a free and Thomas Walton from play extended Ballingarry's advantage.

The close exchanges continued with Micheál Freaney (with a fine point on the run) and Senan Butler restoring parity. As the half wore on they were level for the fourth and final time (0-9 each), thanks to a Thomas O’Connor score for Kilsheelan in the 30th minute.

Before the half-time whistle sounded, Ballingarry had opened up a lead that they protected to the very end. Thomas Walton had the first of those late points before that man Dylan Walsh steered a great shot between the posts off his left side, one of the many fantastic points that he scored.

Ballingarry threatened to pull away with two Dylan Walsh points early in the second half, as they opened a four-points lead. However, Kilsheelan stuck with them with the aid of two converted Barry Kehoe frees and a Senan Butler point, when he showed a great turn of pace.

Ballingarry, though, moved into the box seat with Walton’s goal, as they recorded a deserved victory.        

Ballingarry: Paidi Maher, Gerard Ryan, Paul Butler (captain), Mikie McGrath, Declan Hayes (0-1), Jack Fennelly, Eamon Corcoran, Thomas Walton (1-2), Ben Ivers, Dylan Walsh (0-13, 6 frees), Michael Ivors (0-1), Conor Vaughan, Sean Doheny, Paddy Burns, Ian Ivors. 

Substitutes: Aidan Ryan (0-1) for Paddy Burns (half-time), Adam O’Connell for Conor Vaughan (39 minutes).

Kilsheelan/Kilcash: Oisin O’Donoghue, Conor Neville, Jason Madigan, Sean Ryan, Emmet Butler, Mark Stokes, Micheál Freaney (0-1), Billy O’Connor (captain 0-1), Billy Murphy, Thomas O’Connor (0-3), Senan Butler (0-2), Sean Freaney, Jamie Roche, Barry Kehoe (1-5, 0-5 frees, 1-0 penalty), Michael Bates.

Substitutes: Eoin Kehoe for Mark Stokes (24 minutes), Martin Gibbs (0-1 free) for Michael Bates (half-time), Ru Kelly (0-1) for Sean Freaney (34 minutes), Kian Quinn for Jamie Roche (55 minutes).

Referee: Nigel Carrigan (Ballybacon/Grange).