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Ballygunner's Patrick Fitzgerald and Clonlara's Dylan McMahon. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

History makers! Ballygunner complete Munster senior hurling three-in-a-row

The Waterford champions reigned in Thurles today.

Ballygunner 2-24

Clonlara 0-17

ON AN AFTERNOON of bitterly cold weather in Thurles, the Ballygunner hurlers were warmed by a Munster championship feat that elevates them above all other challengers in the province.

For the first time a club has won three senior hurling titles on the bounce in Munster, Ballygunner succeeding here in style. Their fourth provincial crown in the last five campaigns arrived after a consummate performance, the sense of command that has become their hallmark was in evidence from the start.

Ballygunnerโ€™s dominance propels them towards an All-Ireland semi-final date with St Thomas, a chance to atone for the manner in which they faltered  at that stage twelve months ago at the hands of Ballyhale Shamrocks. 

Was this outcome ever in doubt? Clonlara enjoyed a lightning start knocking over two points in the opening two minutes, John Conlon providing a boost by splitting the posts after just nine seconds. But Ballygunner had wiped out that advantage and gone ahead by the sixth minute. They were never in arrears again.

ballygunner-celebrate-with-the-trophy Ballygunner players celebrate their victory. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Clonlara emerged from Clare this season for the first time in 15 years and discovered just how thin the air is when you reach higher altitude. Ballygunner largely quelled the threats that county men John Conlon and Ian Galvin posed up front. Diarmuid Stritch clipped over a trio of sweetly-struck points and their spirit was illustrated by Pรกraic Oโ€™Loughlin bagging two late points.

But it never looked like they would replicate their stirring success at this venue last time out at the expense of Kiladangan. Ballygunner were too formidable a defensive machine to break down and even when they got sight of goal, Galvin stepping cleverly inside the cover in the 47th minute to shoot off his right, Stephen Oโ€™Keeffe darted to his left to produce a terrific save.

Ballygunnerโ€™s early dominance was pronounced and they notched two goals in the first half for emphasis. Dessie Hutchinson and Kevin Mahony both on target in a four-minute burst around the first quarter mark.

The second of those arrived after a majestic move that highlighted the intricacy Ballygunner can demonstrate in their play, both Mikey Mahony and Hutchinson passing on the simple option of tapping over a point to engineer the space for Kevin Mahony to blast home. They were 2-12 to 0-9 clear at the break and full value for it.

dessie-hutchinson-celebrates-scoring-the-first-goal Dessie Hutchinson celebrates his goal for Ballygunner.

kevin-mahony-celebrates-scoring-second-the-first-goal Kevin Mahony scored Ballygunner's first goal. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

It took a great intervention from Logan Ryan in clearing off the line to prevent Mahony from raising an earlier green flag. That did not disrupt the Ballygunner dominance, they were loaded with threats everywhere you looked.

Pauric Mahony was top scorer, as is customary, with 0-10, while Peter Hogan was in dazzling form alongside him, firing over four points and departing with the man-of-the-match award as rich proof of his endeavours. 

kevin-mahony-and-aidan-moriarty Kevin Mahony and Aidan Morairty. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

The first-half goals removed any uncertainty over the destination of the trophy. Ballygunnerโ€™s nine-point interval advantage had swelled to 15 by the 45th minute. Thoughts drifted to a potentially record-breaking Munster final winning  margin but their scoring rate slowed in the final quarter. Clonlara were game and chipped away with some late points but the damage had been done early on.

The red and black machine from Waterford continue to mow down all in front of them in Munster. Next up itโ€™s an All-Ireland assignment against the best that Galway have to offer.

Scorers for Ballygunner: Pauric Mahony 0-10 (0-5f, 0-2 โ€™65), Kevin Mahony 1-4, Dessie Hutchinson 1-1, Peter Hogan 0-4, Patrick Fitzgerald 0-2, Conor Sheahan 0-1, Mikey Mahony 0-1, Harry Ruddle 0-1.

Scorers for Clonlara: Michael Oโ€™Loughlin 0-6 (0-4f, 0-1 โ€™65), Diarmuid Stritch 0-3, John Conlon  0-2, Pรกraic Oโ€™Loughlin 0-2, Dylan McMahon 0-1, Aidan Moriarty 0-1, Michael Stritch 0-1, Ian Galvin 0-1.

Ballygunner

1. Stephen Oโ€™Keeffe (joint captain)

2. Ian Kenny, 3. Barry Coughlan, 4. Tadhg Foley

5. Shane Oโ€™Sullivan, 6. Philip Mahony (joint captain), 17. Ronan Power

8. Conor Sheahan, 9. Paddy Leavey

12. Peter Hogan, 11. Pauric Mahony, 15. Mikey Mahony

10. Dessie Hutchinson, 14. Kevin Mahony, 13. Patrick Fitzgerald

Subs

  • 7. Harry Ruddle for Power (50)
  • 18. Billy Oโ€™Keeffe for Sheahan (54)
  • 21. Cormac Power for Kevin Mahony (54)
  • 22. Gavin Corbett for Pauric Mahony (58)
  • 19. Sean Harney for Foley (58)

Clonlara

1. Seimi Gully

4. Logan Ryan, 3. Ger Powell, 2. Michael Clancy

7. Pรกraic Oโ€™Loughlin, 6. Dylan McMahon, 5. David Fitzgerald

8. Aidan Moriarty, 9. Jathan McMahon (captain)

12. Colm Galvin, 11. John Conlon, 10. Colm Oโ€™Meara

13. Diarmuid Stritch, 14. Ian Galvin, 15. Michael Oโ€™Loughlin

Subs

  • 17. Cian Moriarty for Colm Galvin (37)
  • 20. Michael Stritch  for Oโ€™Meara (47)
  • 21. Daniel Moloney for Michael Oโ€™Loughlin (47)
  • 19. Bryan McLeish for Jathan McMahon (53)
  • 18. James McCormack for Ryan (58)

Referee: Ciarรกn Oโ€™Regan (Cork)

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6 Comments
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    Mute Barry Kelleher
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:39 PM

    When will this blatant poor refereeing end.

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    Mute IrishSportives.ie
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:57 PM

    @Barry Kelleher: never. Ref mistakes are part and parcel of the game. Even VAR wonโ€™t eliminate mistakes

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    Mute Conor Flynn
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:02 PM

    @IrishSportives.ie: Things that are up to interpretation will probably never be fully corrected but both of these decisions would have been overturned.

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    Mute David Weston
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:10 PM

    @IrishSportives.ie: Decision wasnโ€™t even a close one as he was clearly off

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    Mute D H
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    Mar 16th 2019, 10:59 PM

    @Barry Kelleher: where was Var?

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    Mute James Doyle
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:07 PM

    Every game for about three months now Man City have gotten decisions in their favour. Bad ones too, going right back to Kompany cleaning out Salah as the last man but getting a yellowโ€ฆ Offsides, penalties. Itโ€™s remarkable.

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    Mute David Weston
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:10 PM

    @James Doyle: poor James

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    Mute James Doyle
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    Mar 16th 2019, 9:02 PM

    @David Weston: you get me wrong, man. Iโ€™m delighted City have another game in April.

    Just pointing out the reality of this incredible lucky streak theyโ€™re on with refs, and keeping in mind the old maxim โ€œit all evens out over a seasonโ€.

    Thereโ€™s some evening out to be had, in that case. And that will be fun.

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    Mute Conor Flynn
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:47 PM

    Offside winner and the penalty was never a foul. VAR canโ€™t come soon enough.

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    Mute Willy Motley
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:45 PM

    The more games they play the better for Liverpool

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    Mute Chicken George
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:04 PM

    @Willy Motley: go onโ€ฆ.

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    Mute Yorkie1892
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:50 PM

    Was a great tackle to win the ball for pen. How could they not see change in flight. Var should be in every stadium

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    Mute Colm Connolly
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    Mar 16th 2019, 9:31 PM

    @Yorkie1892: it is in Swanseas stadium but canโ€™t be used as there not in the top division of the game was at the eitihad car would have been used

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    Mute Conor Flynn
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    Mar 16th 2019, 9:34 PM

    @Colm Connolly: Ridiculous though, they had VAR there last season but they went down a division so the FA wonโ€™t have it implemented there.

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    Mute Johnny O Flaherty
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:44 PM

    Itโ€™s a shame such a prestigious cup is rigged

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    Mute Succulent Goujons
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:51 PM

    It was a valiant effort overshadowed by poor refereeing. Bercant Celina has been electric all season. Come you Jacks.

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    Mute Liam O Sullivan
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    Mar 16th 2019, 10:22 PM

    @Succulent Goujons: and Danny James tearing Otamendi and Laporte new ones. Shame they arenโ€™t that motivated more often!

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    Mute Damien Byrne
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    Mar 16th 2019, 11:28 PM

    Selective VAR introduction making a mockery of the FA Cup yet again..

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