Ballygunner March On

Ballygunner are back in a County Senior Hurling Final for the eight year in a row after they proved too strong for Lismore in the first of this year’s semi finals played at Fraher Field on Saturday evening.

Dessie Hutchinson proved to be the hero for Ballygunner in this game as he hit a very impressive 2-8 all from play, while Pauric Mahony also chipped in with a very impressive 0-12 all but two of which came from placed balls.

With their two top scoring forwards in fine form it would be hard to see them not winning a seventh Waterford News and Star Cup in a row next weekend specially if they were to put in a performance like they did here, and one has to wonder in another year should Ballygunner go on to win a seventh title in a row, moving ever closer to the record of nine won by Erin’s Own and Mount Sion in the past, would 2020 given different circumstances that have prevailed around the world this year, would this be the championship where “The Gunner’s” have gone on to win at Croke Park on All-Ireland Final day, and in doing so become the first Waterford Club to win a senior title at G.A.A. headquarters and repeating what Gailltir Camogie Club who draw players from much of the same area as what Ballygunner does, did earlier this year when they won the All-Ireland Intermediate title.

Lismore went into this game in fine form and many gave them an excellent chance of ending the “Gunner’s” unbeaten 36 game winning run within the county after they had chalked up some impressive scoring tallies over the past month, but it was not to be for them.

The impressive Hutchinson had all but one of his scores got by the mid way point in this game.

In fact with ten minutes played in this game he had 1-3 behind his name on the score sheet, the goal coming in the sixth minute when he was picked up by Mikey Mahony and he gave Seanie Barry no chance.

Pauric Mahony made it a six point game (1-4 to 0-1) when he pointed from a free and when Tim O’Sullivan and another from Mahony followed up with points it was starting to lose ominous for the West Waterford Club.

Jordan Shanahan put over three points for Lismore before the water break to leave his side trailing by six (1-7 to 0-4) and on 22 minutes they Heritage Town side were handed somewhat a lifeline when Paudie Prendergast finished to the net (1-9 to 1-4 at that point), but within seconds Kevin Mahony picked out Hutchinson who finished to the net for his sixth goal in this year’s championship (4 games).

The reigning champions continued to pile on the pressure and they turned around with a 2-13 to 1-6 advantage showing on the scoreboard, but Lismore will argue that they were somewhat unlucky not to be closer as Finbar Reaney was denied a second Lismore goal by a nice flick by Barry Coughlan.

On the restart Dessie Hutchinson attempted to complete a memorable evening’s work with a hat-trick of goals but he was denied by Seanie Barry in the Lismore goal in the first minute of the half.

By the break to take in water midway through the second half the city side were 2-18 to 1-10 in front, and by the time referee Michael O’Brien blew his whistle for the last time in this game Ballygunner were 18 points in front and full value for their win.

Ballygunner: Stephen O’Keeffe; Ian Kenny, Barry Coughlan, Tadhg Foley; Billy O’Keeffe, Philip Mahony, Shane O’Sullivan; Conor Sheahan, Paddy Leavy; Mikey Mahony, Pauric Mahony, Tim O’Sullivan; Dessie Hutchinson, Kevin Mahony, Peter Hogan.

Subs: Conor Power for Mikey Mahony (42), Barry O’Sullivan for Kevin Mahony (49), Eddie Hayden for Peter Hogan (55), JJ Hutchinson for Dessie Hutchinson (57), Harley Barnes for Conor Sheahan (58).

Scorers: Dessie Hutchinson 2-8, Pauric Mahony 0-12 (9fs, 1 65), Tim O’Sullivan 0-2, Paddy Leavy, Conor Sheahan, Peter Hogan 0-1 each.

Lismore: Seanie Barry; David Prendergast, Aaron Whelan, Conor Howard; John Prendergast, Iarlaith Daly, Anthony McGlone; Carthach Daly, Jordan Shanahan; John Prendergast, Paudie Prendergast, Finbar Reaney; Ray Barry, Maurice Shanahan, Oisin  O’Gorman.

Subs: Dan Shanahan for Finbar Reaney (53), Paddy Foley for Oisin O’Gorman (53), Shane Heaphy for Anthony McGlone (55).

Scorers: Maurice Shanahan 0-6 (5fs), Paudie Prendergast 1-0, Jordan Shanahan 0-3, Finbar Reaney 0-1.

Referee: Michael O’Brien (Portlaw).