Munster Club SHC: Ballygunner shoot down Rovers
Munster Club SHC: Ballygunner shoot down Rovers
Munster Club SHC: Ballygunner shoot down Rovers
AIB MUNSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINAL: BALLYGUNNER 0-19 GLEN ROVERS 1-9
By Tomás McCarthy at Walsh Park
Ballygunner produced a powerful second half drive to take their place in the Munster club hurling final on November 22.
Denis Walsh’s side trailed by five points at half time in atrocious conditions at Walsh Park but outscored Glen Rovers by 0-16 to 1-1 for the remainder of the contest. Both sides finished with fourteen following first half dismissals for Philip Mahony and Dean Brosnan.
Brian O’Sullivan supplied nine points (eight in the second period) with Shane O’Sullivan, David O’Sullivan and Harley Barnes also spurring on the Waterford champions. Patrick Horgan netted a peach of a strike on 50 minutes but the Glen couldn't the deny the hungry Gunners as they responded with five points immediately afterwards.
The game received the green light following a late pitch inspection. There was a lively start to the contest despite the heavy conditions underfoot. Barry Coughlan scampered across to keep out Dean Brosnan in the first minute.
Patrick Horgan pointed the 65 that followed. Peter Hogan levelled on four minutes for the home team. Glen Rovers corner back Gavin Moylan lashed over from long range before Hogan equalised once again.
Hogan was forced off through injury on 14 minutes. Horgan then split the uprights close to the sideline for the Glen (0-3 to 0-2). An ugly skirmish developed along the sideline involving players from both teams. After tempers cooled, referee Johnny Murphy issued two reds to Philip Mahony and Dean Brosnan.
Richie Kelleher’s side made a charge heading towards half time. They struck four points on the trot. Horgan posted two with Graham Callanan and Conor Dorris also accurate from difficult angles.
Brian O’Sullivan grabbed Ballygunner’s first point in 23 minutes through an injury time free. Glen wing forward David Cunningham had the final say of the opening half on 34 minutes (0-8 to 0-3). The away side recorded eight first half wides.
The Gunners started to make inroads in the third quarter. Three placed balls by Brian O’Sullivan and lengthy efforts from Harley Barnes and Shane O’Sullivan revved up the home crowd.
Free taker O’Sullivan lashed the lead score from his own 65. They tagged on four more through Brian O’Sullivan, Tim O’Sullivan, Billy O’Keeffe and to motor 0-13 to 0-8 away after 48 minutes.
Patrick Horgan revived the Glen with ten minutes remaining. He connected with a sideline from Dave Noonan to give Stephen O’Keeffe no chance. Shane O’Sullivan was on hand to answer that goal however.
Brian O’Sullivan hit three further points and substitutes Stephen Power and Conor Sheehan also got in on the act before the full time whistle.
Scorers for Ballygunner: Brian O’Sullivan 0-9 (7f, 1 '65’), S Power (1 '65’), P Hogan 0-2, Shane O’Sullivan 0-2, H Barnes 0-1, B O’Keeffe 0-1, T O’Sullivan 0-1, C Sheehan 0-1�
Scorers for Glen Rovers: P Horgan 1-5 (3f, 1 '65’), G Moylan 0-1, G Callanan 0-1, C Dorris 0-1, D Cunningham 0-1
BALLYGUNNER: S O’Keeffe; E Hayden, B Coughlan, I Kenny; S Walsh, P Mahony, H Barnes; D O’Sullivan, B O’Keeffe; C Power, Barry O’Sullivan, Shane O’Sullivan; T O’Sullivan, Brian O’Sullivan, P Hogan. Subs: S Power for Hogan (14), JJ Hutchinson for T O’Sullivan (46), Sean O’Sullivan for C Power (59), C Sheehan for B O’Keeffe (61).
GLEN ROVERS: C Hickey; B Murphy, S McDonnell, G Moylan; D Dooling, B Moylan, G Callanan; D Cronin, D Noonan; D Brosnan, P Horgan, D Cunningham; C Dorris, B Phelan, D Busted. Subs: A O’Donovan for Phelan (47), L Coughlan for Busteed (52), G Kennefick for Dorris (58),
Referee: J Murphy (Limerick)