Ballygunner (Waterford) 0-19; St Martin’s (Wexford) 0-10
More so than ever at this time of the year, it is often a case of the old dog for the hard road. And so it proved in Semple Stadium on Sunday, when after a bright first-half and leading Ballygunner by three points into the second-half, St Martin’s learned the lesson that at seminal moments such as an All Ireland semi-final, experience and know-how counts.
The Waterford men in truth had looked pedestrian and with only five points on the board for well over 35 minutes work, they seemed to be out of sorts against a Martin’s crew that were energised in their blocking, running and ability to take scores when on offer.
By game’s end though, they were left chasing shadows in front of nearly 3,500 thousands fans as the class performers on their opponents team such as Dessie Hutchinson and Pairic Mahony and young gun Mark Hartley who was a second half sub, had cut loose to leave a yawning nine-points between them at the sound of the long whistle.
Coming from 0-8 to 0-5 in arrears, the Deise men managed to account for an impressive 14 of the next 15 scores - testament to their ability to work out their own faults and their opponents weaknesses … and then take advantage with a new blueprint of how to play.
The Gunners are now back in the All-Ireland SH club final where they will fancy their chances despite the fact that Loughrea showed their own credentials by outclassing a fancied Slaughtneil side by 0-13 after a tight and tense first half.
Teenager Hartley played a huge cameo part by scoring one point, assisting in two others and being fouled for two more - a good half-day’s work in any man’s book.
Man of the match Hutchinson though was the difference and if the Martin’s had similar forager and scorer, they could have been much closer on the scoreboard before the end. Hutchie accounted for seven of his side’s points with six from play - no mean achievement on a day when the sod was damp and heavy and the ground was energy-sapping on the legs. Himself and the aforementioned Mahony, who was anonymous in the first moiety, thundered into the game on the changeover and he, too, notched up seven scores, two of which came from play.
The entire winning forward unit were well held in the first half by an incredibly tight Wexford defense. Kudos to them for holding the Gunners to 10 shots for scores in the first half - half of which were missed.
Hutchinson was the exception as he started as he meant to go on by landing two fine scores to settle his colleagues while Patrick Fitzgerald had a great goal chance denied by a brilliant Callum Quirke save.
At the other end they were decidedly unlucky not to raise a green flag when Michael Coleman was clearly fouled as he ended up throwing the ball into the net but somehow Dublin referee Sean Stack gave a free out instead of a penalty.
It didn’t stop the O’Connor brothers, Rory and Jack, from keeping the scoreboard ticking over on a day when points, never mind goals, were at a premium
Defender Joe Barrett, wearing four on his back but playing at left-half back, got in on the scoring with two fine points to give his side an 0-6 to 0-4 interval.advantage.
After a few Waterford misses as well as a Mahony point, Rory O’Connor won and slotted over a free to put the Slaneysiders three to the good.
Just as we began to think that Leinster hurling might get a huge boost in the arm, the introduction of Hartley seven minutes into the second half was instrumental in changing the course of the flow.
Immediately he caught and passed to Michael Mahony who scored and from the puck out, he again secured possession and this time fired over a brilliant score to leave the minimum between the sides.
The kick for home by the Gunners had come early but by golly, how effective and sustained it proved to be.
Pauric Mahony slotted over a brace and Dessie got his fourth as the winners hit tip gear.
Hartley won two frees in possession in Mahony scoring range and then the No 11 landed a fine score from play to start turning the screw.
By the time Jack O’Connor had raised a white flag, the Munster champs had recorded eight on the trot and they followed this up with six more through the usual suspects Hutchinson Hutchinson (0-3, one free), Pauric Mahony (one from free) with Peter Hogan and Harry Ruddle adding insult to energy with their scores.
On a day when the Martin’s could have no complaints the defiance of Barrett was to be commended and before the close of proceedings he managed to hit his third point of the afternoon in a beaten outfit - a great display of scoring from a man placed in defense.
Former Wexford and Kildare football manager Jason Ryan, who is now at the helm in Ballygunner, summed up the fare when he declared: “It was some battle and that first half was probably not the prettiest.
“The game of hurling in the summer time is so free-flowing and there are points scored from distance and that wasn't quite there in the first half. Every inch of ground was fought for and credit due to both sets of players, there was no backing down, no stepping back. It wasn't for the faint-hearted.”
Referring to the opening half, he accepted: “We weren't making as many good decisions on the ball and we could have controlled things a little bit more in that first period.
The former big ball boss was happier with the second half fare. “I thought we controlled things a little bit better in the second half, were a lot more composed and used the ball better. We played with a little bit more freedom. It was so tense and tight in the first half that it could have swung any which way. We got a bit of momentum in the second half and stayed going. The gap was there then."
Ballygunner now go in search of only a second Tommy Moore Cup in three weeks time and have a great chance to add more stardust to their 11 in a row of Waterford titles and four Munster wins.
Said Ryan: “They are an exceptional bunch and I welcome the opportunity to work with such a talented group of players that are so disciplined and dedicated.
“They are on a mission to try and win the next game they play and to be the best that they can be. I have had a lot of years driving long distances and it takes me just short of six minutes to get to training now. That's a novelty. It's brilliant to be part of the group and to witness the wonderful performances they have put in this year.”
Ballygunner: S O’Keeffe; I Kenny, T Foley, A O’Neill; H Ruddle (0-1), Philip Mahony, R Power; C Sheahan, P Leavey; M Mahony (0-1), Pauric Mahony (0-7, 0-5f), P Hogan (0-1); K Mahony, P Fitzgerald (0-1), D Hutchinson (0-7, 0-1f) Subs: M Hartley (0-1) for K Mahony (37), C Tobin for Fitzgerald (48), C Power for Pauric Mahony (59).
St Martin's: C Quirke; P Dempsey, E O’Leary, C Firman; J Barrett (0-3), D Waters, D O’Leary; David Codd (0-1), A Maddock; Darren Codd (0-1), J O’Connor (0-2, 0-1f), J Firman; M Coleman, B O’Connor, R O’Connor (0-3f) Subs: B Maddock for Coleman (43), B Stafford for Waters (44-46, blood), Stafford for J Firman (55), M Codd for A Maddock (55), P O’Connor for Waters (55).
Ref: S Stack (Dublin).
