Henry is ’Hale and hearty

HENRY Shefflin was the toast of Ballyhale Shamrocks yesterday as the Kilkenny and Leinster kingpins advanced to another AIB All-Ireland club SHC final at the expense of Gort in Tullamore

Ballyhale, who have lifted the Tommy Moore Cup on five occasions, will now face Kilmallock on St Patrick’s Day.

And it was Shefflin calling the tune as the 36year-old claimed the manof-the-match award after hitting five points from play. First-half goals from brothers TJ and Eoin Reid helped Ballyhale to lead by 2-9 to 1-8 at half-time, after Richard Cummins had netted in the fourth minute for Gort.

The Westerners rallied to within two points early in the second half but Ballyhale stepped on the gas and were nine points clear, 2-17 to 1-11, approaching the finish.

The Kilkenny men hit all but one point from play. Midfielders Bob Aylward and Conor Walsh were in superb form, bagging six points between them.

Gort, to their credit, reduced Ballyhale’s winning margin to five points by full-time but couldn’t make up the gulf in class.