TJ Reid Drives Ballyhale Forward, Aims to Avoid Collapse in Leinster Final

TJ Reid expressed a resolute determination to prevent a collapse similar to Liverpool’s recent struggles, as his team, the Ballyhale Shamrocks, prepares for the Leinster final. The Kilkenny club secured a hard-fought victory over Clough-Ballacolla in the semi-final, advancing to the ninth provincial club final of Reid’s illustrious career.

At 38 years old, Reid has amassed a remarkable collection of achievements, including seven All-Ireland titles, 14 Leinster championships, and six All-Ireland club titles with Ballyhale. Despite this impressive resume, his hunger for success remains undiminished. He remarked, “Winning is a mentality and when you win you don’t want to lose sight of it.”

Reflecting on the current state of Ballyhale, Reid emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on the present. “We don’t reflect on last year or the year before. We are very much in the now, in the present, what you can achieve,” he stated. The team now looks forward to a crucial match against St Martin’s in two weeks’ time. A victory in this Leinster final would enhance their chances of claiming another All-Ireland title.

In the semi-final against Clough-Ballacolla, the Laois champions made Ballyhale earn their place in the final. The game was closely contested, with Clough-Ballacolla equalizing in the final minutes before Reid spearheaded the Shamrocks to a three-point win. He described the match as “real winter hurling,” acknowledging the challenges posed by Clough-Ballacolla’s fierce energy and work-rate.

Ballyhale’s pursuit of a twelfth All-Ireland title is not without its challenges. The team faces a significant hurdle with the news that key player Adrian Mullen will be sidelined for six weeks due to a broken thumb. Reid noted, “We’re down a few personnel; we were missing four from the county final, so that was a big loss for us.”

Despite the setbacks, Reid remains optimistic about the upcoming final at Croke Park, stating that the larger pitch and faster game will suit both teams. “The hurling is going to be completely different there. The ball is going to be zipping around on a bigger pitch,” he said.

As Ballyhale prepares for the Leinster final, Reid understands the importance of survival and efficiency in knockout competitions. He recounted the semi-final as a test of strength and resilience, emphasizing the necessity of preparing for the unique challenges presented by club hurling. “They came fierce hard. They worked hard,” he said of Clough-Ballacolla, acknowledging their spirited performance.

Looking ahead, Reid is eager to embrace the atmosphere of Croke Park, where he dreams of playing every day. “When you’re ten years of age, your dream is to play in Croke Park. So we have that prize now to represent Kilkenny in a Leinster final against a great Wexford team,” he remarked.

With the stakes high and the competition fierce, Ballyhale Shamrocks remains focused on their goal. Reid concluded with a call to action, asserting, “We have to try and win as much as we can. We’re very much in the now.” As they gear up for the final, the team understands that claiming the Leinster title is only the first step in their journey towards further glory.