Na Piarsaigh 0-15 0-18 Ballygunner
Winter club provincial hurling. The fast ground conditions of summer and early autumn make way for uncompromising soft, slow ground. Battles all over the pitch. The club championship motto of the toughest holds true given what we observed at TUS Gaelic Grounds yesterday in Limerick.
What now seems to be an annual away assignment to Limerick, Ballygunner were on guard. An eight week layoff since their emphatic county final in Waterford. Ballygunner achieved a twelfth county title in a row. They were wary though of the challenge by Na Piarsaigh. Na Piarsaigh needed extra time to beat Doon in the Limerick final decider two weeks ago.
The historical meetings between these two sides suggested that a tight contest and so it proved. Both teams lined without key figures. Will O’Donoghue and Padraic O’Mahony both ruled of this meeting.
The exchanges were fierce and uncompromising. Ballygunner started well but once Na Piarsaigh settled into their middle third shape, the Limerick side grew into the contest. Harry Ruddle at wing back looking to attack from deep whenever possible. The reward were three valuable points from play.
Na Piarsaigh for all their effort and work rate were struggling to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Shooting composure was at times erratic, ten wides registered within the opening twenty minutes. Ballygunner defensive cover a factor but free taking misses were notable.
A tetchy affair. The sides were tied at 0-5. Dessie Hutchinson free, Mark Hartley, and Michael Mahony scored for Ballygunner to secure a three point lead at the break. Na Piarsaigh ruing the earlier wide count as Ballygunner went double scores ahead upon the restart.
Patrick Fitzgerald opened the second-half with an impressive point from long range. Michael Mahony then tagged onto a quick fire point after Fitzgerald intercepted the restart. Ballygunner even though not playing with any level of fluency were now asking Na Piarsaigh serious questions.
The response from the Caherdavin side was to dominant the next fifteen minutes. Light blue jerseys were winning primary possession all over the pitch.
Ronan Lynch more prominent in his distribution and scoring from placed balls along with Kevin Downes and Peter Casey. Ballygunner fell behind by a point. Eight minutes of normal time were left when Ronan Lynch scored a monster long range free.
Cue a key moment of the contest. Ballygunner defensively under pressure as Keith Dempsey received the sliothar within forty meters of goal. The effort faded wide. A score for Na Piarsaigh would have opened a two point lead. That lead was quickly extinguished by a Ballygunner score from Peter Hogan right away.
Ballygunner never looked back. The big players for the Waterford champions were aided by key contributions from their emerging underage player pool. Peter Hogan, Conor Tobin, and Patrick Fitzgerald’s 65 ensuring a buffer that they would not relinquish.
A serious stiff test for Ballygunner to open their Munster club campaign. The team has shaken off any ring rust. The Waterford club juggernaut look ahead to renewing rivalries with Cork champions Sarsfield’s at Walsh Park.
The Ballygunner performance in two weeks time will be vastly improved. Jason Ryan and management will be pleased with how the players remained composed down the stretch to secure the win. Performance levels raised at the vital time. 60% shot was enough on the day.
Na Piarsaigh will be disappointed. They had Ballygunner where they wanted them in the final quarter. However, the shot percentage of 45% told the tale of the tape. Chances were squandered at different points despite Mike and Peter Casey showing well in this fixture. Seven points from play also a telling indicator of the Na Piarsaigh struggles in front of goal.
A gripping provincial senior hurling club championship. Ballygunner are up and running as they depart Limerick with their now annual club championship win.
Ballygunner: S O’Keeffe; I Kenny, T Foley, A O’Neill; H Ruddle (0-03), Philip Mahony, R Power; C Sheahan, P Leavey; P Hogan (0-01), M Mahony (0-02), D Hutchinson (0-05, 3f, 1 65); M Hartley (0-02), P Fitzgerald (0-04, 1 65), K Mahony.
Subs: C Power for Sheahan (49′), C Tobin (0-01) for Hartley (53′).
Na Piarsaigh: S Dowling; J Boylan, V Harrington, R Lynch (0-03, 3f); E McEvoy, M Casey, M Foley; JJ Carey, T Grimes (0-01); W Henn, P Casey (0-03), D Dempsey; K Downes (0-06, 4f, 1 65), C Boylan (0-01), A Breen (0-01).
Subs: K Dempsey for Henn (41′), J Finn for Foley (43′), D Lynch for Breen (46′), E Brosnan for Grimes (54′), W Kearns for Carey (59′).
Referee: N Malone.