Club Kings hot favourites to retain Kilkenny crown
Ballyhale Shamrocks are hot odds-on favourites to retain their status as Kilkenny Senior Club Hurling Champions after booking a spot in the last four with a quarter-final victory over Bennettsbridge.
The reigning All-Ireland champions went into the break level at Nowlan Park on Sunday, but a strong second half performance saw them prevail by nine points and they have since fallen into 4/9 from even money with BoyleSports to land a fourth consecutive county title.
A repeat of the 2019 final lies ahead after James Stephens edged out Dicksboro by a point to remain 11/2 shots for a first county crown in ten years.
A goal in the first half of extra-time from county legend Tommy Walsh helped Tullaroan overcome Clara by 1-29 to 2-19, but they remain the outsiders of the remaining quartet at 14/1 ahead of a semi-final clash with O’Loughlin Gaels.
Two goals proved the difference for the city side in their victory over Mullinavat, and at 3/1 from 6/1 they are now rated the main dangers to Ballyhale’s hopes of being crowned Kilkenny champions for the 19th time.
BoyleSports spokesperson Lawrence Lyons said:”They didn’t have it all their own way in the first half, but Ballyhale Shamrocks ended up comfortable winners and it has only enhanced their credentials with punters. There’s not much support around for them being dethroned anytime soon and we have no choice now but to make them hot 4/9 favourites from even money to rule the county again.”
