TJ Reid says Ballyhale Shamrocks typically thrive in Leinster because the pressure is off after surviving the Kilkenny minefield.
Shamrocks’ five-goal thrashing of St Martin’s last weekend was the club’s 15th provincial win in 17 outings.
It’s a record that spans the club’s glory era since 2006 with five Leinsters and four All-Irelands annexed in that period.
The nine-time provincial champions are roaring 1/25
favourites to make it a perfect 10 when they play surprise packets St Mullin’s of Carlow.
Newly crowned All Star Reid is in sensational form and struck 2-14 against St Martin’s – a point more than the Wexford champs managed.
Asked if the ultra successful club expect more Leinster and All-Ireland wins, Reid said: “Well, we can sense that. It’s not being arrogant or cocky. We always find that Kilkenny is one tough county title to win and once we get out of the county, I suppose that little bit of pressure is off.
“We can actually go out and enjoy ourselves more and you saw it against St Martin’s, we were playing with more freedom. We haven’t scored five goals in a long time and we could have scored a few more.”
Reid, who turned 32 on the day of the St Martin’s game, said the reality is that Leinster and All-Ireland wins have become the club’s ‘benchmark’ for success.
He said: “Look, it’s the drive, it’s the passion, it’s the tradition, it’s the community. Down through the years we’ve had a reputation for going forward in Leinster.
“We take it very seriously. I know Ballyhale Shamrocks, the grounds, we don’t have a serious set-up but our players have that ambition and drive to achieve as much as we can.
“If you asked any other club if they’d like to be where we are today, they’d grab it with both hands. It’s about taking it serious and maybe other club teams, once they win the county final, that’s their benchmark. But benchmark is county final, Leinster final and All-Ireland club final, that’s our benchmark.”
TJ’s brother Richie, an unused sub for Kilkenny in August’s All-Ireland final, will miss the rest of Shamrocks’ campaign.
He scored two points against St Martin’s but left yesterday for Lebanon and a six-month tour of duty with the Defence Forces.
There’s also a giant question mark over Young Hurler of the Year Adrian Mullen for Sunday week’s final after limping off last weekend with a ‘bad dead leg’.
But Ballyhale will still be overwhelming favourites and Reid accepted as much.
He said: “We always focus mostly on our own team and what we can do right and that’s about getting quick ball inside into Eoin Cody, Colin Fennelly and Eoin Reid because they’re fantastic forwards.”
If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
