St Martin's new Leinster hurling champions after beating Ballyhale Shamrocks

Ottoline Spearman

St Martin's are the Leinster hurling champions for the first time.

The Wexford team beat Kilkenny kingpins Ballyhale Shamrocks in the Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship final on Saturday at Croke Park.

The full-time score was St.Martin's 0-24 Ballyhale Shamrocks 2-17.

The match took place shortly after the conclusion of the Leinster Club Senior Football Championship between Athy of Kildare and Ballyboden St Enda's of Dublin, which saw Ballyboden win a 2-18 to 1-14 victory.

Jonathan Higgins spoke on Newstalk with the full-time report.

"St Martin's from Wexford led by the minimum at half-time, despite conceding an 8th-minute goal to Brian Cody.

"The second half was a rip-roaring contest with the sides level six times.

"The O' Connor brothers were sparkling for St Martin's while Nile Shortall raised a Shamrock Ballyhale's second goal in the 40th minute.

"As we hit the hour mark, Richie Reid for Shamrocks is back in front with a long-range effort.

"Rory O'Connor tied the sides again before Ben Strafford hit a magical winner from in front of the Cusack stand."

The Wexford champions were playing their first-ever Leinster final and had never played at Croke Park before.

The Ballyhale Shamrocks have won more Leinster championships than anyone else, and have also been crowned All-Ireland champions more than any club in the country.