CLASSY CROKES RETAIN CROWN IN STYLE
Top dogs win again as titles stack up
BALLYGUNNER remain the team to beat in Waterford club hurling. They became the first Déise club since the 1950s to capture four county titles in a row with a pillar-to-post victory against De La Salle at Walsh Park yesterday.
A Conor Power double and nine Pauric Mahony points confirmed their 16th Waterford championship in total. Manager Fergal Hartley was elated with their achievement and said: ‘Four-in-arow has never been done by Ballygunner before so it’s huge for us. It hasn’t been done in a long, long time in Waterford so it’s something we’re very proud of.’
Philip Mahony stood tallest of all among a Ballygunner half back line that simply refused to bend. The champions’ defence have now, impressively, only conceded two goals in eight matches.
‘They’re super guys. Philip is one of the most underrated players in the country. There is a guy that I believe could have a couple of All-Stars by now. He is never, ever beaten. He was sick all week, up to yesterday.’.
With the breeze behind them in the opening half, the Gunners quickly stamped their authority. Stephen O’Keeffe’s short puckouts initiated an early bombardment.
Brian O’Sullivan slipped in Conor Power for a tenth-minute goal and they never looked back. Three white flags from powerful wing forward David O’Sullivan gave them a six-point cushion by the close of the first quarter.
Salle reorganised and recovered to within striking distance. Two Shane Ryan frees and a first for John Mullane left them only a goal in arrears (1-6 to 0-6). Shaun O’Brien stopped Billy O’Keeffe’s shot nearing half time but singles from Peter Hogan, O’Keeffe and Pauric Mahony sent the Gunners four clear at the break.
Two Mahony frees and a patiently-worked Shane Walsh point widened the margin to seven on the restart. Ryan responded with Salle’s first point of the second period on 39 minutes.
Brian O’Sullivan struck his second close to the sideline. Ryan converted again but from the next attack, O’Sullivan bore down on the Salle goal. O’Brien repelled his effort but Power swept home the loose ball.
Another Mahony placed ball left it 2-15 to 0-11 and the Gunners were on the cusp of history.
Kevin Moran moved to midfield and tried to rally Salle with a point. O’Brien then produced a double save from Billy O’Keeffe and Wayne Hutchinson. Sharp shooter Mahony copper fastened victory in stoppage time. Eight different players chipped in from play.
Thurles Sarsfields are next up in the Munster quarter-final at the same venue. The Gunners only boast one provincial title from 2001.
‘That’s something we feel that we’ve underachieved in over the last couple of years,’ Hartley admitted. ‘We haven’t progressed as much as we would have liked.’